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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Continuous/dynamic ND filter NAB?

Dan Graetz

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I saw this remarkable prototype demoed at NAB '07:

http://www.pstechnik.de/en/optics-fader.php

It dynamically and seamlessly adjusts the light hitting the lens so you can shoot at a consistent F-stop in changing light (eg. sunrise, sunset).

I got in touch with P+S Technik and unfortunately they've decided not to manufacture the unit. They mentioned a similar prototype was on display this year at NAB from NHK Japan (the same crew with the Ultra-HD display).

Did anyone get a chance to see this prototype in action? Or is anyone aware of a similar existing or impending product from another company?

Any info would be HUGELY appreciated.

cheers,
dan
 
I didn't see it but would imagine that you could get much the same effect with 2 polarizers which, although you start off with 3-4 stops of ND, allows you to vary the light loss by rotating the filters in relation to each other. It's easier to test than to explain - just get a couple of polas and try it. I don't know what effect this has on IR effects with the Red but could be worth a test.
Shane.
 
Yeah, there's a vari-ND filter out now which is basically two polarizers back-to-back, and I believe the range is from 2-fstops down to complete black. Forgot who makes it, but you could pick up that and try it.
 
thanks for the info guys - much appreciated.

the P+S Technik prototype seemed to vary the amount of ND automatically - but this option looks like the next best thing.

Does anyone have a link to NHK's tech department (they were apparently demoing Ultra-HD displays at NAB this year)? They seem to be a pretty enormous company.
 
The NHK one works with two contra graduated, contra rotating ND radial grads. It works well, and as it's just glass at the "bright" end, goes from very near no light loss, to very dark.

Graeme
 
Manual, as far as I remember.

Graeme
 
So is this actually available? How much and what size lens does it fit? Seems like you could save a lot of money on ND filters if the price is right.
 
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