(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best neutral density filters

The 'new' version of the 12-35 came out along just the other day with the GH5 (look for the II version in the title). The main difference is the IS is designed to work with 5-point stabilization that the GH5 offers. The old version of the 12-35 is still stabilized and will offer 5-point stabilization via a firmware upgrade with the GH5 down the line. As a result of the new version being released this week, the old version I linked to has dropped significantly in price... making the value incredible.

I actually just bought the original 12-35 myself last week. I usually use Canon glass but I wanted at least native lens (to use as a backup as well as for my gimbal), and I couldn't say no to the price.

Good sturdy sticks are the most important thing you can invest in. This was my first 'pro' tripod and I still use it today. It's an incredibly cheap option to get you started and it will last you years. I'd suggest upgrading the fluid head down the line (the one it comes with is OK but a good fluid head is EVERYTHING). This one is the one I use with it (as well as 90% of other videographers haha) and I am very happy with it. Benro is a good brand too, but the value of the Davis&Sanford is great.

Slider is unfortunately not something to go cheap with... it'll just cause pain and suffering if you go cheap, haha. Take a hard look at the Edelkrone SliderPlus PRO and Rhino products.

I'd almost suggest getting a Gimbal prior to getting a slider. GH4 with the 12-35 will be pushing it to it's weight capacity but people have good results with that combo nonetheless.

As far as lights, I am a big fan of Dracast LED lights. I purchased Daylight and I use CTO filters rather than going with bi-color, as it gives me more output which is definately needed with the GH4. The battery option is a lifesaver on these lights, and the customer support with Dracast is really good (they fixed a light in a week for me when the mount broke).

Don't forget to get variable ND filter like this one so you can shoot outdoors as well.

Get ready, because the world of filters can be very confusing. A solid ND like the Lee Big Stopper will allow you to take longer exposures during the day as it acts like a pair of sunglasses for your camera, limiting the amount of light that comes in the lens. Graduated ND filters like this only limit light in part of the shot, and are commonly used for landscapes and sunsets. These filters help bring down the highlights in your image and preserve detail. Graduated ND filters aren't used for what most would consider "long exposure" photography. I'm assuming you want to shoot something like moving water or light trails during the day. In that case you're going to need some solid ND filters.

There's two main types of filters, slot-in and screw-on. Slot-in filters are more expensive than their screw-on counterparts, but can be more versatile. With a slot-in filter, the filter itself will work for any lens as long as you have the right sized adapter. Screw-on filters will not; a 67mm screw-on filter will only fit a lens with a 67mm thread. If you upgrade to a lens with a larger thread size, say 77mm, that filter will no longer work. With a slot-in filter like those made by Lee, all you need is a new adapter for your existing filters to work. Graduated ND filters are almost always slot-in types, as you can adjust them to match the horizon of your shot easier. The main caveat to slot-in filters is their price. Expect to pay at least $300 to get started with a filter holder, adapter ring, and just one ND filter.

Screw-on filters are what I prefer. They're harder to break and much less expensive than slot-in filters. I have a B+W ND 3.0 and a B+W ND 1.8 filter. Keep in mind that you will need to buy the filter size that fits your lens. If you have multiple lenses, buy the filters to fit your biggest lens thread size. You can then use step down rings to adapt them to all your lenses and save some money. They're inexpensive filters made with quality glass (part of the reason I love B+W). Some filters, especially inexpensive ones, will produce a color cast. I haven't found this to be much of an issue with these filters. I may upgrade to a nice set of Lee filters one day, but I don't have that kind of money to spend right now. My recommendation for you? Pick up a B+W ND 3.0 and 1.8. These cover many situations you'll encounter and are a great starting point. If you have any questions I'll be glad to help!

DO NOT spend your money on these packages. The lenses are fine beginner "kit" lenses, and obviously the camera (should be) real, but the non Nikon "lenses" are useless rubbish, as are the included filters, flash, tripod, and SD card reader. Besides, you should not use a flash for nature/landscape photography much anyway, at least, not yet. For now, I recommend buying a super cheap tripod (and DO NOT upgrade this tripod until you can afford the best carbon fiber tripods, and then get one of those and use it for the rest of your life), a camera cleaning kit (a "dry" one, without any fluid - and those gel sensor prodder things are going to ruin your camera), and a UV and polarizing filter. For the UV filter, just get one that's decent (check out reviews and expect to spend $50) which is the same size as your lens so that your hood can fit over it. The purpose of this filter is to protect the lens, so each of your lenses will need one. For the polarizer, you need to get something that's actually good (these tend to ruin your images when they're poorly made, so maybe wait until you've learnt a little basic photography until you buy one), and I recommend budgeting around $150 and once again checking out reviews. For this filter, unlike the UV, you won't be able to use a lens hood anyway, so I suggest you buy a filter step up ring to over 75mm (preferably over 80mm), then buy a filter to fit that. This way, you can use this expensive but occasional (however it is essential to landscape photography) on any lens you acquire in the future.

When your photography advances to the point where you begin doing long exposures and you need ND filters (you'll know what I mean once you get to that point), I recommend this with step up rings. (It'll cost less in American $ since Canadian $ is worth less.) These specific brand of non-variable ND filters are the only things in photography where you get more than you pay for.

Good luck on your journey. Be sure to share some of your photos on Reddit, too.

heading to the Rockies later this year to do my first ever travel type filming ( I know this is the photography subreddit, but y'all are super knowledgeable).

I wanted to pick up an ND filter for my Panasonic G7, and I can't decide on which one. I know variables are much better, but it's quite an expensive trip already and I'm so new, I don't want to spend too much on sort of a niche item when I already have so much to learn that can be focused on to make my shots better.
Which would you recommend? And how would you recommend I use it to get the best shots? Timelapse of waterfalls/rapids/canoeing? etc

https://www.amazon.ca/Gobe-ND8-46mm-ND-Filter/dp/B06XVGKHLP/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1525949488&sr=8-12&keywords=nd+filter+46mm

https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffen-46mm-Neutral-Density-Filter/dp/B00004ZC92/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525949488&sr=8-6&keywords=nd+filter+46mm

> Can I use 3rd party battery's on the G7?

Yes, you can use third party BLC12 batteries with the G7. I recommend you get "decoded" batteries (such as these [Newmowas] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IU5G1ZK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IU5G1ZK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)) that show battery life remaining.

> Does the G7 have the same battery issue as the GH4?

What battery issue is the GH4 supposed to have?

> What ND filter would be best.

I use an [Opteka 77mm variable ND] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004R4949I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004R4949I&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) with step up rings for my lenses.

Sadly, it has been discontinued, so, in its place I've been recommending the [$25.29 K&F Concept 77mm Slim Variable ND] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JL4IOOU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JL4IOOU&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

Very positively reviewed and a good value for your money.

You will need a [62mm to 77mm step up ring] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00448E2OE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00448E2OE&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for your 14-140, a [58mm to 77mm ring] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083WYARG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0083WYARG&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for the 12-35 or a [72mm to 77mm ring] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W5B59G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007W5B59G&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for the 18-35.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

My fiancé buys me neat (and cheap!) camera gear every year for christmas, so far I've gotten:

• Gary Fong Puffer $18.99 (a flash diffuser)
  
• Targus Battery Grip $25.98 (this is somewhat camera specific)
  
• Hot shoe spirit level $5 (this is cheap as hell and really cool!)
  
• Canon Monopod $34.95 (I have the Monopod 100 but it's no longer available. These are great for when a tripod is too bulky and sturdy enough to use as a light walking stick)
  
• Dolica Tripod $39.99 (Great prosumer tripod, not a pro tripod though)
  
• Lens cap keeper $1.91 (sticks to any lens cap and then attaches to the lens body to stop the lens cap from falling off)
  
  All of these things are pretty awesome for me, a serious hobbyist with a Nikon D5000 DSLR.
  
  Having said that, what I want for Christmas is:
  
  
• 52mm Neutral Density Filters ($31.99) and 62mm Neutral Density Filters ($42.99), these are the same set for both my lenses, they let you do longer exposures under brighter light conditions. I want them for a shoot in early December though so will probably buy them before that myself ;)
  
• A gradiated ND filter ($11.99), for the same reasons as above but only for one half of the exposure, with a gradient transition
  
• Panoramic Image tripod head ($16.95) for creating seamless panoramas
  
  Hopefully this helps!

Thanks for all the great advice so far!

So i searched some stuff to order that you recommended, will post the links below.

Just for the ND Filter... So what should i get if i only have a 18-105mm and a 35mm 1.8 ? What kind of size would be best? i dont plan on buying another lens very soon, first i want to learn on what i have. As the 18-105 is 67mm i guess i buy a 67mm + adapter rings for the 35mm (52mm) ?

Battery:
http://www.amazon.de/Bundlestar-Qualit%C3%A4tsakku-Nikon-EN-EL15-Intelligentes/dp/B009FZWOKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405495589&sr=8-1&keywords=Nikon+D7000+batterie

Lens:
http://www.amazon.de/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-35mm-Filtergewinde/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405495754&sr=8-1&keywords=35mm+1.8

ND Filter:
http://www.amazon.de/Hoya-HMC-Graufilter-NDX8-67mm/dp/B00009R9CT/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1405496058&sr=8-4&keywords=67mm+nd+filter

External HD:
http://www.amazon.de/Toshiba-HDTB110EK3BA-externe-Festplatte-schwarz/dp/B005X7AXXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405496178&sr=8-1&keywords=Externe+Festplatte


Thats what i found so far. For the tripod i still dont know yet


Edit: And the filter rings! Would this be the correct ones:

http://www.amazon.de/Objektivadapter-Filter-Step-Down-Ringe-77-72-67-62-58-55-52-49mm/dp/B008H2HUC4/ref=sr_1_5?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1405501098&sr=1-5&keywords=step+down

?

You can usually get the kit which includes everything you need like this. But there are 3 main components:

The Ring Adapter which you purchase depending on the size of lens you're using. It screws on the front like a filter. In my case I needed the 77mm.

The Filter Holder which clips on to the ring adapter and, like the name suggests, holds the filter

And lastly, the Filter

They can be expensive but Cokin makes a relatively inexpensive kit. They are known for casting a pink hue to the photo on long exposures but I'm sure you could fix that in post-processing. The only reason I didnt purchase them was because they're impossible to find in Canada. Everywhere was sold out or backordered. I sprung for the Lee's because I wanted them for my trip to Iceland otherwise I would have saved to money and got the Cokin Kit. Hope this helps

After doing more research - should I be getting a variable ND filter or a solid non-variable ND filter? Or a polarizing one?

In terms of brands, i'm looking at Fotga like the one /u/TheOmega3368 has, or:

• Gobe
  
• Tiffen
  
• Polaroid
  
  Anyone have experience with any of these variable ND filters and can recommend a brand? Again, would like it to be inexpensive, $30 or under!
  
  Thanks!
  
  

I just purchased https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00485ZJB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Variable 4-8 stop still wasn't dark enough for me, and near the '8stop' I would get a weird X on the filter. GH5, speedbooster, 18-35mm 1.8 sigma and VLOG (400iso) make everything really bright, so if you have anything close to this set up you'll need a super strong ND, I have a feeling 10stop still won't be enough for strong daylight

u/mathias-orsen u/Hifi_Hokie u/theguyfromuncle420_ Thanks for your help, I've been looking at all those options. I've found this filter which is quite cheaper (half the price of the B+W) than the rest but seems to be from a good, reputable brand: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FZ83LNU/?coliid=ILXAKUTY98XMK&colid=2BWPOXPQYA7R3&psc=1&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FZ83LNU/?coliid=ILXAKUTY98XMK&colid=2BWPOXPQYA7R3&psc=1&ref=lv_ov_lig_dp_it)

​

What do you think? I understand it won't be top of the line but according to what I've read it should be quite good.

I have some Cokin P filters, they are fairly inexpensive and as they are large square filters that fit in a carriage you can use them with almost any lens, plus you can stack them to get the desired effect.

You want, i think, an ND 3.0 filter like this for $45 then you need a filter holder and step up rings, the real ones are fairly pricey but there are clone sets likethis for $20 which have the filter holder and the rings for most lens sizes. You screw the ring onto the front of the lens then clip the holder to it, and put the filters in the holder.

THe bonus is you can use it on all your lenses, not just spending $100 on one for a single lens diameter. They do fail on ultra-wide-angle but they are generally not a bad solution. I have a set of Cokin GND filters, and it is nice i can stack them in various combinations to get different strengths.

If you're on a budget, then consider getting this variable ND filter:

https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Filter-Adjustable-Neutral-Density/dp/B009GFW6EI

I have the 52mm version and I love it, I haven't noticed a loss of image quality or sharpness. It's great!

Flying technique, a gimbal, and a neutral density filter go a long way.
gear doesn't mean shit unless you know how to use it. If you're wanting stellar stills, you won't be able to rip it from video. If you're wanting smooth video, a ND helps slow down the shutter to create a more "silky" video. this makes a huge difference

I use this one and it has been working like a charm for me.

There is a timelapse app that you can buy that should work on your A7s. It works in the same way you're describing - by outputting a video file, and also has the option of outputting images. If you're shooting out the windscreen, you'll have to contend with reflections off the glass. You can fight them back a little with a polarizer filter.

GoPros are also not too bad with rolling shutter, even outside windows. Unless you're looking really hard at things like the wheels on other cars you probably won't notice it. To minimise it further, you can use a ND filter to force the camera into longer exposures.

Battery life on gopros in timelapse isn't much better than in video mode - you'll get about 2 hours out of each camera. You can greatly improve that by powering them via USB. Either by cigarette lighter adapter, or you can also use any old cheap mobile phone USB recharging bank that provides 5v DC.

You need an ND filter. It acts like "sunglasses" for your lens and cuts light from hitting the sensor. Cheap ones might introduce color cast and flare, more expensive ones are better coated and won't have as bad color casts but they're...well...expensive.

Can anyone tell me if this is a high quality variable ND filter?

Stock lens with the Polar Pro ND filter.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JDYPWMU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've done some testing with the Ragecams 5.4mm lens modification, but the results weren't pretty.

I want to buy an ND filter for daytime long exposures, but can't decide on what to get.

At first, variable ND filters made sense - because they would enable me to shoot wide open in daily shots, besides long exposures. I'm a hobbyist, so the little degradation in quality with vari-NDs wouldn't have mattered, but the x pattern issue really discouraged me from wanting one.

Anyway, I can't decide between these three ND filters:
Hoya
B+W
Another, more expensive B+W - what's the difference between this and the previous one?

And here were the vari-NDs I was considering:
Tiffen
*Light Craft Workshop

As I said, I don't think the vari-NDs are for me.. but which of the other 3 would you recommend? Any loss in sharpness and contrast? Any color casting?

I would not prefer to go up to the pricey B+W's range of $150, but if there's a big difference in image quality compared to the other two, I just may choose that one.