This lesson is common to the a7R II and a7S II cameras. There are five kinds of ND filters:
- Threaded Variable ND filters
- Threaded ND filters
- 2mm square filters (4×4, for still photography)
- 4mm rectangular filters (4×4, 4×5.6, 6×6) for matte boxes
- Specialty filters, like for super-wides, gelatins and drop-in filters, etc.
Before I get into recommendations, here’s a quick look at my filter kit:
Warning: My recommendations are just opinions. You are responsible for our own choices and actions. I don’t vouch for any product or manufacturer. My choices may not work out for you.
Variable ND filters
I recommend the following (all 82mm):
- Schneider True-Match Vari-ND Filter (1.3-11 stops, $695)
- Singh-ray (2.66-8 stops, $340)
- Heliopan (1-6 stops, $444)
As you can see, these are not cheap. If you’re getting 6 stops for $444, that means you’re getting 1 stop for $75. I will never recommend cheap vari-ND filters. Variable ND filters are more convenient to carry, and you don’t need to change them around as much.
You could buy one large size and then use step down rings for the rest of your lenses. You can also buy a 77mm or any size you choose.
What about the Vizelex ND Throttle?
Check out my review of it in the previous lesson. I cannot recommend it for professional use.
Threaded Circular ND filters
The good ones are not cheap. Hoya makes cheap ones that are passable, but I can’t recommend them for professional work. I can’t understand the logic of spending thousands of dollars on a camera and lens and then reducing its quality by 10-25% with a cheap filter.
I recommend you buy one large size, 82mm (or 77mm), for example, and then use step down rings for various lenses:
For log shooting, get IRND filters, especially over 4 stops:
One way to mitigate cost is to buy just one IR blocking filter, and then put all the ND filters behind it. The disadvantage of this is you have to stack filters, and that might cause vignetting, etc.
Test before you buy!
2mm square filters
Usually this size is 4×4 or sometimes even 4×6 (for graduated filters). The cheap ones are not even true 4×4″, and vary in size quite a bit. They are usually made of resin. I’ll recommend:
You can use Lee or Cokin filter holders.
Important: Lots of people use the Lee big stopper and little stopper and complain of color shifts. This is due to IR contamination.
As explained in earlier lessons, small color shifts are normal. White balance after you put on the filter.
4mm Rectangular filters
These are thick, last a long time, and are exclusively made of glass – so they’re heavy as well. Glass doesn’t scratch easily, and retains optical performance even when its been abused.
Go Tiffen or Schneider or Formatt FIrecrest (I suggest you get IRND filters and take good care of them):
I took a risk with Formatt Firecrest, and am glad I did. As I showed you in the tests, they are worth the price.
4×4 or 4×5.65 or 6×6? When to use which.
There are two things you need to watch out for:
- How wide the focal length on your lens is, and
- How large the front element of the lens is.
Large zooms like those made by Angeniuex are bigger than what 4×5.65 can cover, which is why such lenses need 6×6 matteboxes and filters.
For still lenses, 4×4 is more than enough. I chose 4×5.65 because when you stack filters, it helps with the vignetting. Secondly, you can go a lot wider. Also, you can push your filters a bit further away from the lens. This is important if you’re using still lenses that extend its length when you zoom, or if the lens has a rotating front focusing ring.
However, with lenses like the 14mm Samyang (rectilinear), even 4×5.65 won’t cover it, and you need special filter holders (see below).
When in doubt, buy really cheap filters (like I did), and then learn for yourself. When you’re sure, buy once and be done with it.
My filter kit
My ND filter kit consists of the following:
- Cavision 0.6 4×4
- Cavision 0.6 4×5.65 graduated ND filter
- Formatt Firecrest 1.2 IRND
- Formatt Firecrest 2.1 IRND
- Haida 4×4 3.0
I also have Hoya ND, UV and polarizing filters.
Specialty filters
Filter for the Samyang 14mm: Check out the Samyang SFH-14 14mm Filter Holder.
I’ll update this when I get more information, but my experience with specialty filters is next to nil.
