Filter first or lens first?

[w_capozzi]

Hello,

Here's a basic question. I'm new to the HV20 world. Should I shop for 43mm filters and then attach a wide angle lens to that, or should I attach a lens first and then add some filters to fit the 52mm size of the lens? Is investing in a mattebox worth it, or a lens hood appropriate for the lens size?

I'm not sure where to start shopping for extras. I would like a few filters to play with and also a wide angle lens. I'm exploring 35mm adaptors too. I see some stuff on ebay, but not sure which comes first in the chain of add-ons.

Thanks,
Bill C.

[Erik Bien]

Hi Bill,

I don't think the WD-H43 Canon wide-angle has front filter threads. I think most folks who aren't using a matte box are putting their filters behind the wide angle without vignetting issues (but I don't think you'd want to stack more than one filter behind that big hunk o' glass).

Wide angle adapters normally have very deep focus, so filters in front can produce unwanted results (like every speck of dust on the filter in tack-sharp focus).

People are reporting some problems with lens flare on the WD-H43 if used without some type of hood or matte box.

If you go with a 35mm adapter, all of this becomes moot: you'll want to do your filtering and focusing on the 35mm lens in front (so if you're seriously thinking about going that route, maybe you'd be better off buying larger filters and a step-up ring for now, so you don't have to buy them all over again to fit your 35mm lenses).

[w_capozzi]

Thanks for the reply, just what I needed to know. I wasn't sure if there was a specific way filters should be applied to the HV20. Planning for the near future with your advice in mind sounds like the way to go.

Thanks,
Bill C.

[Tom]

So I bought a 43mm circa polarizer. But I guess if I want to use it with my wide angle lens I won't be able to rotate it?

[Erik Bien]

Hi Tom,

You should be able to rotate the whole shootin' match (the front half of the pola and the wide angle together). Just be sure, if using a square lens hood or matte box, you turn it back to "level," otherwise the corners may show up in your footage (even if you don't see them in the LCD or the viewfinder).