ND Filters for Canon lenses

[Ben Scott]

I read more and have found several bad reviews of them for zooms. That doesn't sound very promising. Should I maybe just get fixed nd filter strenght instead. what about lee filters with holders (not screw in). They are a bit aquard but more flexible I guess.
/Andreas

When trying to travel light I've used my Lee filter adapter instead of a mattebox quite a few times. Here's a still shot at 4k on the Scarlet with a Samyang 24mm using a Lee 0.9 Hard Edge grad. Possibly a screw-on Tiffen 1.2 IRND behind that too, which I know is not the done thing but I think I got away with it.


Audi R8 - Paris Air Museum by Soma Pics, on Flickr

Link to the R3D file for people to play around with it - https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18661266/Scarletleegrad.zip

 

[Lewis-M Soucy]

Thanks Mark! Just bought a Schneider clip-on ring on eBay...

If you ever get a chance to post a pic of yours with the Vario glued in it, I'd like to see what you did...

Getting my Canon lenses Cinemoded by Duclos next!

 

[ShaunMavronicolas]

About to purchase the Heliopan VND with front thread... I was wondering if we need to add a Hot Mirror to the front of this VND to avoid IR issues or is there already IR cut built into the filter, anyone know or have issues with IR and VNDs?

An article out of interest for VND users, see the "Fader trick"... http://frankglencairn.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/nd-fader-shootout-heliopan-vs-the-new-genus-eclipse/

Many thanks.

 

[Bill Sepaniak]

About to purchase the Heliopan VND with front thread... I was wondering if we need to add a Hot Mirror to the front of this VND to avoid IR issues or is there already IR cut built into the filter, anyone know or have issues with IR and VNDs? ...

FWIW, I didn't use a Hot Mirror with our Heliopan on our Italy shoot. The footage came out fine. However, as with most things in life, YMMV. When in doubt ... test.

__________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8

 

[Lewis-M Soucy]

It's a series 9 filter holder... You can put series 9 ND's inside or screw on the out of it... or do as I do and hot glue a VND into it. 80mm in size... Duclos sell the 80mm conversion kits for the Canon glass... ZIESS Super speeds are 80mm as well... and off you go into happier life of less dickin around with filters. Multiple step up rings... get the lens caps while your at it.

Just got all the parts to replicate your setup: my Heliopan 77mm Vario ND, the Schneider 80mm clip-on, and got all my Canon glass cine-modded at Duclos! Just gotta get the balls to glue in my Vario-ND now... Hot glue sounds pretty good as you can remove it in case... Any tips Mark? Or a pic? Thanks...

 

[Mark Toia]

Just got all the parts to replicate your setup: my Heliopan 77mm Vario ND, the Schneider 80mm clip-on, and got all my Canon glass cine-modded at Duclos! Just gotta get the balls to glue in my Vario-ND now... Hot glue sounds pretty good as you can remove it in case... Any tips Mark? Or a pic? Thanks...

No tips, hot glue in 3 or 4 spots. Works a treat. We had to remove the old VND filter the other day and replaced it with a new Tiffen version.. Easily done, no damage to anything. All sweet.
Shot this TVC with this simple VND setup.

 

[Lewis-M Soucy]

No tips, hot glue in 3 or 4 spots. Works a treat. We had to remove the old VND filter the other day and replaced it with a new Tiffen version.. Easily done, no damage to anything. All sweet.

Awesome Mark, thanks! Great TVC! I love my Canon glass... I'm DPing an action feature this summer with VanDamme, I think I'll go back to PL though... My 1st AC will go mad on Canon...

 

[Mike Quill]

I recently ordered a 82mm Heliopan VND directly from Fotomayr. Definitely cheaper than buying from a US dealer. Just be aware that they sell two versions. I was concerned about vignetting issues when using wide lenses and a helpful representive told me this:

“In answer to your questions, there are two different versions of the Variable ND: 1) the “normal” version (our article FI6940-82) which has a front thread to allow for a lens hood, etc. and 2) the so-called “slim” version (our article FI2199-82) which has no front thread and is approximately 2 mm less thick than the normal version – this can sometimes be important because of possible vignetting problems. If you let us know which lens you will be using, we can give you some advice about the possibility of vignetting.”

“I have checked with my colleagues from the technical department and they all agree that you will definitely have problems with the normal version if you use the 11-16 mm 2.8 lens. They also point out that there will most certainly be some vignetting even with the slim version if you use this in the 11 mm setting. All in all, to get the maximum out of the variable ND, it looks like you’d generally be better advised to take the slim version.”

Hope this helps.
Mike

 

[Mark Toia]

Awesome Mark, thanks! Great TVC! I love my Canon glass... I'm DPing an action feature this summer with VanDamme, I think I'll go back to PL though... My 1st AC will go mad on Canon...

He certainly will go mad That canon glass is good for projets were you pulling your own focus

 

[Robert Ruffo New]

Variable ND filters are not true ND filters, they are opposed polarizing filters, and as a result can cause strange color casts.

They also can make odd shapes in highlight glints, and can sometimes affect bokeh.

 

[Mark Toia]

I tend to not use them when you have to go past 6 stops and never on lenses under 25mm....
But really, 95% of the time... Im more than happy with a VND.