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Whats what, ND filters in 2016?

Fergus Cahill

Fergus Cahill

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Firecrest.
 
As a Red Noob, (Raven on order) I have a question.
Would you guys recommend against using a variable ND? It is what I use with my 5D.
 
Brice LeCarre said:
As a Red Noob, (Raven on order) I have a question.
Would you guys recommend against using a variable ND? It is what I use with my 5D.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on your particular use. If I shot a feature film I would prob stick to normal NDs. A few months I shot an outdoor fashion video which we had challenging lighting and I also needed to be as nimble as possible and a variable ND was fine for my use.
 
Variable ND's are a necessary evil in my mind. I avoid them as much as possible, but sometimes they are the best thing for the job! - You will generally create some kind of color shift, softening and potentially color fringing with a variable ND in the upper stop range.
 
Fergus Cahill said:
Any comparisons been done on Schneider vs Formatt-Hitech?
Click to expand...

I have the same questions. Need to by two sets of NDs and we've been using Schneider. But based on Phil's review and everything else I've seen, it seems the Firecrest are the way to go. The fact that they can make such high densities and keep it neutral is impressive.

I have a related question.... does anyone know if there is a difference between the quality of the Schneider 138mm Linear Tru-Pola and the One Stop Pola? The one stop is more expensive but you save a half stop.

And I assume it would be ok to use a Schneider Pola + a Formatt Firecrest ND together.... right? Or should I go with the Formatt Pola (although it doesn't indicate that it is a Firecrest type).

M
 
Fergus Cahill said:
Who makes the best ND's in 2016
Click to expand...

Firecrest and Mitomo's TRUE ND's are the current pick in my experience. They are both made using the same process.

I like the Firecrest but a few things irk me. The size of the text they etch onto the filter for example !

But they seem to be as good as the Mitomo's and a hell of a lot cheaper. Last time I checked though Formatt weren't that great at delivering full sets anytime soon....

One advantage the Firecrest do have is that they put the coatings on the inside of the glass sandwich and that makes them a hell of a lot easier to clean than the TRUE NDs. The TRUE ND's have their coatings on the OUTSIDE and so any nose grease you get on there is a bugger to get off.

Formatt have come a long way. They used to be the crappy acrylic poor cousin, but a few years ago they had a management buy-out and have really upped their game.

One other little secret for those of you using stills glass, it's not spelled out anywhere but the Hoya PRO (Kenko PRO) ND's are also made using the same process if screw in's are your game...

JB
 
Just double checking, I have mx, and I think I read that with dragon you do not need irnd above .9. I have tiffin water white, and my filters above .9 are irnd.

Thanks
 
Formatt Firecrest review posted prior to the release of the Standard OLPF. In Shane Hurlbut's article reviewing the Standard, he states
that filters with IR removal "True ND filters actually hurts your image." With a Standard in the mail, I ask:

Has anyone tested older non IR filters on the Standard, maybe vs. Formatts or TrueND? I'm hoping the Firecrests will be neutral on the Standard as they have been for the STH

One thing true with the ever changing customizing ability of RED's: Constant tests needed.
 
Rob_Austin said:
Formatt Firecrest review posted prior to the release of the Standard OLPF. In Shane Hurlbut's article reviewing the Standard, he states
that filters with IR removal "True ND filters actually hurts your image." With a Standard in the mail, I ask:

Has anyone tested older non IR filters on the Standard, maybe vs. Formatts or TrueND? I'm hoping the Firecrests will be neutral on the Standard as they have been for the STH

One thing true with the ever changing customizing ability of RED's: Constant tests needed.
Click to expand...

I will try to run some tests on my end if I can source a set of cheap Tiffen ND's. I saw the same test you're talking about Rob, but can't confirm for sure on Firecrest vs Tiffen side with the standard OLPF. The test Shane did though was very eye opening and made me want to buy an additional set of just bare bones Tiffen ND to work when using Red and keep my Firecrests for when shooting with the Alexa or Phantoms. Anyone else put this to the test yet? Phil perhaps? ;-)
 
im thinking of picking up some 82mm screw in NDs specifically for the new sigma 50-100mm and the Raven. right now i own 77mm tiffen water white kit, with a step down.
but im reading so many good things about firecrest but mostly these tests were on epics with 4x5 filters.
anyone do any tests on weapons with the screw ins? do the screw in have the same neutral quality?
or will i be fine sticking with the tiffens.
 
The Formatt-Hitech "Firecrest" filters are glass sandwiches that use a carbon technique to apply the ND strength in the middle & incredibly neutral..I can vouch that up to my strongest one I own at ND2.1 it's IR & neutral too.

Even although it doesn't say 'IR' they are, so at any ND strength MX or the Arri chipped cameras you're good to go.

They have the slight appearance of PANCRO filters (kinda front silvered / mirror) I say SLIGHT as it's like a half silvered mirror or slightly less..this silver/carbon deposit absorbs the IR.

I ALWAYS use the SMB-1 or Bright Tangerine STRUMMER MB as they both tilt & thus avoid the the filter reflecting back into the scene.



Hope this helps..Firecrest seem to be the way IMO: Neutral, IR & well priced too :-)

Stu.
 
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