ND filters and RPP 300mm

[vincent kardasik]

I don't want to double post but I already have a thread opened in the lens test section regarding matteboxes and the Red Pro Prime 300mm.
I just wanted to know how you guys use ND filters with that lens?
I've read that some are using Matteboxes and some others are using the rear filter holder.
To avoid some bokeh issues, Cali Young told me that the second option is the best with long lens.
How do you deal with that filter holder, do you cut gelatine filters?
I think it's not an ideal solution and based on tests I've done the result is pretty average, I'd rather find some drop-in 43mm filters but my research on the web are far from being successful...
Any advice welcome!
Thanks.

 

[Mike Yonts]

Hi Vincent,

I got 43mm screw-in filters from B&H Photo. I got a Tiffen ND.6, a B&W ND .9, and a Formatt ND 1.2. They all match the threads in the little filter holder inside the RP300, but only the Formatt fits into the lens without any problem. The B&W fits if you don't screw it into the holder all the way. If you screw it in all the way, the threaded part sticks out of the holder enough that it won't go into the lens. The Tiffen is too thick on the front part of the filter and therefore won't go into the lens. I don't know if this variation is consistent among the filter manufacturers, or even if the slot is exactly the same size in every copy of the 300, but this has been my experience.

Hope that helps.

 

[vincent kardasik]

Hi Vincent,

I got 43mm screw-in filters from B&H Photo. I got a Tiffen ND.6, a B&W ND .9, and a Formatt ND 1.2. They all match the threads in the little filter holder inside the RP300, but only the Formatt fits into the lens without any problem. The B&W fits if you don't screw it into the holder all the way. If you screw it in all the way, the threaded part sticks out of the holder enough that it won't go into the lens. The Tiffen is too thick on the front part of the filter and therefore won't go into the lens. I don't know if this variation is consistent among the filter manufacturers, or even if the slot is exactly the same size in every copy of the 300, but this has been my experience.

Hope that helps.

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your answer and for these infos.
I will try the Formatt filters asap.
On another thread, Jeff Kilgroe mentioned that the Tiffen are too thick.
Your post definitely helps me.
All the best.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Tiffen, Schneider/ B+W, etc.. make different thicknesses of filters and they seem to change over time for one reason or another. I've had the best luck with the HOYA 43mm filters, I bought a couple locally (in Denver, CO) and ordered a few others from B&H. I do have a B+W that fits as well.

With long focal lengths like this, it's best to use the drop-in filters rather than a mattebox and filters up front.

I'll grab my HOYA filters later today and se if they have part numbers stamped on them for reference. I originally tried two Tiffens I had and they didn't fit, so I measured the thickness of the clear-glass one included with the lens. Then I dug up manufacturer specs to see who made ones the right thickness. Found most of the HOYA ones were a match.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I would definitely think twice before using any front filters on that lens.
If the filter is less than 1/4 wave flat there will be severe image degradation. That goes for any lens above 150mm. I've done extensive testing on that years ago so the technology has progressed quite a bit and filters may be flat enough.
Something to watch for...

 

[Nick Gardner]

Not saying anything said here is wrong, just reporting my own findings. I routinely use a pola and an N9 in an MB-19 in front of my canon 2.8 300mm with no ill effects at all. I did it just last week shooting a light house at sunset, footage looks great.

Nick

 

[vincent kardasik]

Tiffen, Schneider/ B+W, etc.. make different thicknesses of filters and they seem to change over time for one reason or another. I've had the best luck with the HOYA 43mm filters, I bought a couple locally (in Denver, CO) and ordered a few others from B&H. I do have a B+W that fits as well.

With long focal lengths like this, it's best to use the drop-in filters rather than a mattebox and filters up front.

I'll grab my HOYA filters later today and se if they have part numbers stamped on them for reference. I originally tried two Tiffens I had and they didn't fit, so I measured the thickness of the clear-glass one included with the lens. Then I dug up manufacturer specs to see who made ones the right thickness. Found most of the HOYA ones were a match.

Thanks for your answer Jeff, I always appreciate your advices.
I'm in touch with the B+W French reseller and I will try to test some 43mm filters before making my decision between these ones, the Hoyas or the Formatt.

 

[vincent kardasik]

I would definitely think twice before using any front filters on that lens.
If the filter is less than 1/4 wave flat there will be severe image degradation. That goes for any lens above 150mm. I've done extensive testing on that years ago so the technology has progressed quite a bit and filters may be flat enough.
Something to watch for...

Not saying anything said here is wrong, just reporting my own findings. I routinely use a pola and an N9 in an MB-19 in front of my canon 2.8 300mm with no ill effects at all. I did it just last week shooting a light house at sunset, footage looks great.

Nick

Jacek, Nick, thanks for your comments.
I have to say that I had some good results with a mattebox and that lens but not in every situation, sometimes when the background is close to the subject, you might see some bokeh issue.
That's the reason why I'd really like to have both options, mattebox and rear filter holder.

 

[Dave Weber]

Tiffen, Schneider/ B+W, etc.. make different thicknesses of filters and they seem to change over time for one reason or another. I've had the best luck with the HOYA 43mm filters, I bought a couple locally (in Denver, CO) and ordered a few others from B&H. I do have a B+W that fits as well.

With long focal lengths like this, it's best to use the drop-in filters rather than a mattebox and filters up front.

I'll grab my HOYA filters later today and se if they have part numbers stamped on them for reference. I originally tried two Tiffens I had and they didn't fit, so I measured the thickness of the clear-glass one included with the lens. Then I dug up manufacturer specs to see who made ones the right thickness. Found most of the HOYA ones were a match.

I just checked B&H website and they no longer have the Hoya ND filters.

I was gonna pick me up a few.