Questions about filters

[tomazahlin]

Hello all, this is my first post. I use Raynox 6600 0.66x wide-angle lens when I shoot under the concert stage and I made a customized lens hood for my cam.

I tape my friend's band and I need your help!

The problem are the lights on the stage (reflectors). Whenever they turn to my cam, I get an ugly reflection, as seen on this screenshot: http://212.235.177.59/01.jpg

I tried changing the shutter speed or aperture priority, but doesnt help like I would want. My question is: would a LIN or CIR polarizer help? As I have seen vids on youtube, those polarizers can do a lot of things, but unfortunately there arent any tests at the concerts.

Here are two examples of using the polarizer:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6QejGizj1s"]YouTube - Canon XL2 - HOYA PRO1 Circular Polarizer TEST[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXOQFlbiIQE"]YouTube - Polarizer Headlight Test[/ame]

I especially like this second youtube example. So would any polarizer(s) work out my problem with the concert lights? I am going on a tour on friday, and I can still get it.

Any suggestions, thoughts, etc.. would be much appreciated!

Thanks, Tomaz

[erikbaldwinson]

Hey I don't know a whole lot about filters but I want to purchase a Neutral Density Filter kit simply so I can control my depth of field when I'm shooting with the HV20. What kits should I be looking at? And how much do I need to pay for quality filters?


Erik

[ReLogic Studios]

Who told you that an ND filter kit will let you control your DOF?

That persons throat should be slitted IMO

[ReLogic Studios]

woops double, sorry

I'll take this chance to say something constructive:

ND filter have NOTHING to do with DOF.
Help yourself:
http://www.google.nl/search?hl=nl&sa...filter&spell=1

There are different things that correlate with controlling the depth of field:

Lens aperture
Distance between subject and background
Amount of zooming

[erikbaldwinson]

Placing an ND filter on the hv20 will reduce the amount of light let into the lens therefore allowing one to set
his or her camera to an fstop of 1.8, or 2.0, for example, therefore providing a shallow depth of field (or as shallow as the HV20 will provide)
VERSUS not using an ND filter and having to set your fstop to 6 or 8 because the image otherwise would be over-exposed.

Now by any chance can you shed any light on my original question?

[ReLogic Studios]

That's a strange way of reasoning(it's like saying[I don't know an example]).

But anyway:

Just don't go with the ultra cheap stuff and you're good to go, I would say $15 for a filter is good, but I don't buy alot of filters, so...

[Erik Bien]

In the US, ND filters are normally designated in f/stop strengths: 0.3 = 1 stop, 0.6 = 2 stops, 0.9 = 3 stops and so on. FWIW, when I want to keep a wide-open aperture in bright conditions I use a Pol-Fader as a "variable ND" filter; you can also do the same by stacking two polarizers (see the link in Halsu's sig for details).

[erikbaldwinson]

In the US, ND filters are normally designated in f/stop strengths: 0.3 = 1 stop, 0.6 = 2 stops, 0.9 = 3 stops and so on. FWIW, when I want to keep a wide-open aperture in bright conditions I use a Pol-Fader as a "variable ND" filter; you can also do the same by stacking two polarizers (see the link in Halsu's sig for details).

Thanks for the good feedback. So much would one quality ND filter cost in your opinion? And can you stack them? Like put two on at the same time? (or does that cause vignetting..)

Thanks,
Erik

[iTayb]

I didn't get it well - Is it the same thing?

Can I use the wide angle lens with it?

And are ebay $10 UV Filters/Lens Hood worth anything?

[Erik Bien]

Hi iTayb, and welcome to the forum!

A UV filter is effectively a piece of clear glass people mount in front of the lens mostly to protect it from sand, raindrops, fingerprints, what-have-you. A lens hood is more like an "eyebrow" or shade to prevent sunlight from falling directly on the lens, which can cause lens flares and wash out your picture.

Some wide angle adapter lenses have front filter threads while some (like Canon's) do not — you'll need a clip-on instead of a screw-on hood for these types.

[iTayb]

First, Thank you! I've just bought my HV20 camera and I'm trying to get along.

Then the lens hood is a piece of plastic installed surround the lens? It doesn't have some kind of glass in it? And is $7~'s too cheap for this, or there aren't effective changes over the brands.
Just caught my eye: http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-43mm-Lens-...ayphotohosting

Plus, it seems that the lens hood won't work well with a wide angle lens, because it will block some of the wide angle lens' shooting region. Am I wrong?

[rhervag]

Plus, it seems that the lens hood won't work well with a wide angle lens, because it will block some of the wide angle lens' shooting region. Am I wrong?

yes hoods help to control light entering the lens to avoid flares, ghosting & reflections ruining your subject. but they are not so great on wide angles causing slight vignette as you go wider.
some flexible hoods can retract to half length when shooting on the wider end of your zoom lens to avoid shading the corners. others have a shape with cutted out portions to fit the frame better.
i'd never use hoods or stack more than 1 filter under 24mm wide to avoid trouble.

[iTayb]

Isn't hood a must? It seems that everybody gets it.

[Seo]

Isn't hood a must? It seems that everybody gets it.

Well, if hoods were a must, they'd be included with all camcorders and not just prosumer models. Of course, they help. Like Rhervag said, they reduce lens flare (unless it's an artistic effect you're trying to achieve), especially when you're using a UV filter (particularly those that lack coating).

Lens hoods aren't too expensive (even for zero-budget filmmakers), and they'll help you more than they'll cost you, so in my opinion they're worth the buy. If you end up looking for a good one to buy, the thread Good Lens Hoods?? might help you.

[Jon03021]

I have a hv30 and i'm want to buy this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ncing_Kit.html

But i also would like to get the raynex 6600 down the road. Will i be able to mount the raynex over those filters?

Thank you!

[Jon03021]

Also, i read that a polerizer also works as a UV filter, is this true?

[Seo]

...But i also would like to get the raynex 6600 down the road. Will i be able to mount the raynex over those filters?...

That depends of the filters are front threaded, which should be stated in the description of the filters. I'll check it out...

Also, i read that a polerizer also works as a UV filter, is this true?

No, polarizing filters do not filter out UV light.

[erikbaldwinson]

Hey I was just wondering what everyone is doing around the Hoya Filters.
On their website the smallest filter size they sell seems to be 52mm so
what are people doing exactly to get that on their hv20? Step up ring?

My second question is.. I want to use a Hoya filter with and without my Raynox 6600 (52mm) wide angle adapter. Are hoya filters threaded on both sides?


Please respond!

[drapeama]

Well step up rings are easy to find for that size...if you want to use with/without the WA lens...i don't think this will be a problem. You'll have the hv20 -> the step-up ring -> the filter -> the lens.
Most filter have threads on the front, so you can attach another filter/lens etc... You'll only be limited by the same size, unless you'd use another step-up ring to fit your lens on your filter...
Camcorder->Ring->Filter->Optional lens = that should make it.
Hope that helps you!

[CycleWriter]

On their website the smallest filter size they sell seems to be 52mm so
what are people doing exactly to get that on their hv20? Step up ring?
Are hoya filters threaded on both sides?

That's because Hoya is primarily a still camera filter company and the smallest still lens filter size is 52mm. Using a step-up ring is actually preferred as it allows you to stack filters with less risk of vignetting. All Hoya filters are threaded on both sides AFAIK.

If you want a filter that matches your HV thread size exactly Tiffen offers many of their filters in sizes smaller than 52mm.

[erikbaldwinson]

That's because Hoya is primarily a still camera filter company and the smallest still lens filter size is 52mm. Using a step-up ring is actually preferred as it allows you to stack filters with less risk of vignetting. All Hoya filters are threaded on both sides AFAIK.

If you want a filter that matches your HV thread size exactly Tiffen offers many of their filters in sizes smaller than 52mm.

Thanks a lot for all the great information. Do you see the possibility of a vignetting issue with HV20(43mm)>Step up Ring>(52mm)Hoya Filter>Raynox 6600(52mm)?

[ReLogic Studios]

Damn!

Just missed a cheap Hoya 72mm polarizer on eBay, I fell asleep and the auction ended at €13,45, that's hella cheap.

[Jooshbro]

Damn!

Just missed a cheap Hoya 72mm polarizer on eBay, I fell asleep and the auction ended at €13,45, that's hella cheap.

...
Bay Area brother?!?

[CycleWriter]

Thanks a lot for all the great information. Do you see the possibility of a vignetting issue with HV20(43mm)>Step up Ring>(52mm)Hoya Filter>Raynox 6600(52mm)?

Please do a search on using filters with wide angle lenses as there are MANY threads already discussing this. Filters are not really designed to carry the weight of another lens. Ideally, it is best to mount the WA lens to a step-up ring and use a filter on the outside of the WA lens. In the case of a Raynox this means buying 72mm filters to use with it, but you will be happier overall by doing it this way. There is almost no chance of vignetting with this setup and while you will pay more for the larger filters, there is less chance of stripped/damaged threads on the camera, the WA lens or you filters by doing it this way.

[ReLogic Studios]

...
Bay Area brother?!?

Haha, I listen to Ya Boy