Fader ND

[Steve Crow]

I use the Fader ND and find it very smooth however I don’t typically continue filming while adjusting the amount of ND, I first find the amount of ND I want to apply and only then do I begin filming. Why not rent one and try it out yourself?

[Phil Yunker]

Thanks for the reply, I will more than likely rent a fader ND and see how it works out for me. I was hoping to see some actual results first.

[Steve Crow] “don’t typically continue filming while adjusting the amount of ND, I first find the amount of ND I want to apply and only then do I begin filming”
As do I, however, like I said I’m finding myself being asked to use the 5D on shoots where a “traditional” video camera would be used, where the operator needs the flexibility to almost constantly “ride” the iris.

Thanks.
PHIL YUNKER

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Steve Crow]

Someone did a test on Vimeo:

https://vimeo.com/5536709

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[Phil Yunker]

thanks, that’s very helpful. are those the same results you see when you use a fader, that smooth?

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Steve Crow]

Yes, I believe it goes from 2 to 8 fstops of ND so it’s really cool

[Richard Van den boogaard]

Hi Bill,

With “smooth” adjustments on the video ring you’re adjusting the iris and thus changing your DoF plane. The idea behind using a Fader ND or VariND filter is that you can set your iris to a desired DoF (e.g. when you shoot wide open at F1.2/F1.4/F2.8) and then compensate the incoming light with the filter, as long as you stay within the limits. As soon as you put it on the lens, you’ll loose 2 stops and you can squeeze it upto 8 stops.

The Singh Ray VariND filter is much more expensive than the Fader ND by Lightcraft. If you hold both filters at an angle against the light and then turn the rings, you can see the quality difference between the two. The lightcraft will show ‘teardrops’, whereas the Singh Ray is crystal clear. I feel that this quality will be more noticeable when you’re shooting stills than video, so if you’re using the DSLRs for timelapses as well, they’re a great tool. If you can afford it, go for the Singh Rays.

Putting on a mattebox also gives you the possibility to stack two filters, but I prefer the ability to do very fine adjustments with the filter ring on the front of the lens. I never leave home without them.

Richard van den Boogaard
Freelance cameraman • Glidecam Operator • Editor • YouTube expert

[Phil Yunker]

Richard,
thanks for the info, yes I have price compared the various filters and have read reviews on a couple including singh-ray.
I think I will rent one and see for my self how I like it. As I said I need to control the exposure coming into the camera constantly while shooting a lot of the shoots I’ve been on lately have been more run and gun and not set the shots record then move to the next shot.
And it’s Phil, not Bill.

thanks.

PHIL YUNKER
Yunker Video Production Services
http://www.philyunker.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/philyunker

[Richard Van den boogaard]

Hi Phil (sorry about the misspelling ;-))

In run and gun situations these filters will be a real time-saver. Just remember that because you can achieve very shallow DoF on the DSLRs doesn’t mean that you shoot always shoot that way. Some are addicted to ‘bokeh porn’, but I usually determine what plane I need to have in focus, set the the iris accordingly (e.g. F2.0 for a face, F8 for a landscape) and, if needed, adjust the FaderND/VariND.

Good luck and please share your experiences afterwards.

Richard van den Boogaard
Freelance cameraman • Glidecam Operator • Editor • YouTube expert

[Everett Bowes]

I bought the faderND from lightcraft.
They are VERY smooth, however, i felt the footage was all rather soft, no matter how much attention I paid to focus.
Maybe I needed to use a matte box, too?
Anyone else think their footage looks soft?