@azza_act I recently bought a TIffen water white IR 2.1ND and used it in a broad daylight shoot at around 3 in the afternoon with the "talent" standing with his back to the sun and a reflector bouncing light onto his face.

The filter was strong enough that I had to use ISO 640 or 800 to expose reasonably at F1.8 and 1/50sec. I would imagine that an ND3.0 would be a bit much for most situations.

a 3.0 filter is ten f-stops, so if you wanted to shoot with your lens at f2.0 it would give you the same amount of brightness as shooting at f64.

I've attached a screen grab as it looked straight out of the camera with the 2.1 ND filter.

I just received my FOTGA filters and I'm glad I didn't fork out for B&W. The FOTGA filters are just fine optically but ND2, ND4 and ND8 are not strong enough and I find myself using the VariND exclusively. The other thing about using a variND is having access to something that can offer fine real-time adjustment to exposure. I didn't expect that I would use it like an iris/aperture ring on the lens. (in a lot of ways its more practical than aperture control).

@einstein7

No need to crosspost to different topics.

I'd like to buy the Tiffen indie ND kit. However, I can't figure out whether the standard or IR version is best suited to the GH2. Could anyone advise?

Thanks in advance.

@tommy

I don't know the diameter of the AC90's hood. If you don't know it yourself you might like to find out :-)

Good glass filters with a fixed ND are better than a variable ND. Matte boxes are *supposed * to be faster to use for filters than screw-types, but somehow I don't trust that rule when it comes to what you want to do with that kind of camcorder.

I use the Cavision mini matte box (But then, I use a GH2). I am currently using a .6 ND Cokin P which fits in. I have a 3" Cavision graduated ND (.3) and have ordered a Cavision 3" .6 - which will be my most used filter.Of course, I can double-up on filters in the 2 slots.

Anyway, all this is a moot point, diameter-wise. I'm just raising the possibility because sometimes you can get lucky.

@tommy

I'm still incredulous as to decisions to neglect ND filters in Professional* cameras like the AC90 and Sony's F3 .

Unless you want to claim the camera as your own on day one and get handy with a hack-saw and Dremel, All I can suggest is maybe a Cavision mini matte box (85mm rear circular clamp mount) will fit over the existing hood and allow two 3" square filters at a time.

http://www.cavision.com/matteboxes/3x3hs/3x3new.htm

*Professional, unlike amateur, broadcast and cinema, is used to describe the needs of promo and wedding videographers. Typically, cost and time-saving factors are built -in. (ie an ND should be in the top ten of what's included!)

I'm doing the whole going around in circles thing trying to decide on ND filters as well. At the moment I'm also liking the look of the Tiffen set of filters that Shane Harlbut talks about:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/729107-REG/Tiffen_W77INDNDKT_77mm_Indie_Neutral_Density.html

However, a couple of thoughts. He developed the indi set with Tiffen so may not be completely unbiased in his views - if people who follow his site religiously (which I don't) know that this isn't the case, please chime in with your thoughts.

My other concern is he's mad about Canon cameras. There was comment on his page about using these filters on the GH2 but he dodged the question. Okay, so Canon cameras have a strong IR filter already in place, does that hold true for the GH2. Does anyone know if the IR thing holds true for cameras other than Canon DSLRs? Would hate to drop the cash on these filters and then realise that the IR version was a better choice.

Does anyone know of a store in Jakarta, Indonesia or Yogyakarta, Indonesia where I can buy a 77mm Fader ND? I would also need a 58-77mm step up ring.

I'll be surprised if anyone can suggest a store. :)

I ordered this one : http://www.fotomayr.de/webkat98/index_fi.htm

Hope to get it soon and test it ... Heliopan Variograufilter (mit Frontgewinde) - ND 0,3 - ND 1,8

@adamquesada , thank you, I have upgraded all my lenses to 77mm rings from Cordvision , so now need filters in 77mm ... but that one above is the most expensive I'm not sure if its worth the money ...

Anyone tried : Kenko 77mm Variable NDX Digital Multi Coated Filter ND2.5 - ND1000 ? Any reviews ?

I've never used an Heliopan filter, but from this test:

http://www.lenstip.com/115.16-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Heliopan_ES_Pol_circ._SH-PMC_72_mm.html

it seems clear that Heliopan's skill at making circular polarizers are sub par. So allow me to be a bit skeptic about Heliopan's ability to deliver "the best" variable ND.

Just bought a set of Century Optics (Schneider) 4x4 filters. There is soft edge/half grad ND0.6, full gradND0.9 and a polariser. Not too bad for just slightly under $400, comes with a nice 4 slot pouch. Now to test the quality. One piece of MP true vision glass by Schneider otherwise is about $550!!!!!!