Variable ND Filter K&F USA: amzn.to/2VrZaB5 UK: amzn.to/2XSR8OZ DE: amzn.to/2XVKrM2 Filter Step Rings USA: amzn.to/2GHu5zO UK: amzn.to/2DDbh3O DE: amzn.to/2XVGOG8 Social: Instagram: instagram.com/robtreklens/ Facebook: facebook.com/RobTrekLens/ My Blog: robtrek.com Donations to support my channel greatly appreciated! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... *We are a participant in the Ebay and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Ebay.com Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Great video! I learned so much in less than 10 minutes! Using an ND filter to achieve shallow DOF for portraits is something that I've never heard before. I will sure try it. Thanks!
This was extremely useful! I have the exact same set up and love to do the occasional portrait of a friend. I'll now consider getting a filter and trying this myself. Thank you!
Thanks. You should be able to use the methodology in most lighting conditions, outside of being too dark. I wanted to demonstrate in bright sun, but can't wait for the weather.
Hi Rob. I've no luck acquiring variable ND filters. The couple I've tried have been pretty much crap, causing extreme colouring instead of just reducing light. Can you suggest a brand of filter that you find acceptable? Thanks. Tim
This is the one that I use and can recommend. amzn.to/2VrZaB5 It dials in from 1 stop to 4 stops, so 5 stops total light reduction. It's sharp, well made, and there is no banding but there is a slight color shift as you get darker. At 1 stop, virtually no color shift, at 4 stops it shifts about 500k, so a 5700k picture will shift to about 6100k. I haven't used any high end ND filters, but this one is relatively inexpensive and does a great job. Be sure to get this specific one in the size you need as K&F makes several filters and the cheaper ones suck.
Another fascinating video with your insight to ND + Flash, intriguing stuff without doubt. Manipulating light is a whole new ball game. I'm using the Godox AD200 but I think you're principles of flash + ND apply throughout a whole range of scenarios. Nice evolution.
Thanks. The methodology is sound. I wanted to do this in bright sunlight, but can't wait for the weather every time I want to take a picture or make a video. So I play the cards dealt. I may do a video on my ad200 soon.
Hi Rob, if you use step up rings, how many rings can you stack at the same time, and not encounter image issues, (to step up from a small lens to large filter), Could you safely connect say 5 rings?
I don't see any issue until you start using wide angle lenses. I think at 25mm you'll be fine. Below that and you might start to get some vignetting because the step rings will start acting like a lens hood.
Hi Rob, very informative indeed. I use exactly the same setup but find it hard to get myself in focus. I set the custom delayed trigger to autofocus in between shots, but it is still hit and miss. Any advice?
Thanks. I don't normally have any issues. I use C-AF with Face Detect. When using the nd filter, I did miss a few shots, so needed to pick a single point, turn off face detect, and set to S-AF. Then I planted my face on that spot.
Hi Rob, what is your opinion on a combination ND + CPL filter (polarizer) K&F have them on their website. I'm trying to think when I wouldn't want both together...
A variable nd filter is essentially a polarizer. However, solid nd filters could work. Just watch out for banding, particularly with wide angle lenses.
Yes, they are subject to the same issues as any lens. You may need two lens hoods - wide angle and telephoto or you could get a collapsible rubber hood.
Hi Rob! Thanks for another great video and useful tips. I'm going to take a look at those links, those filter step rings look pretty awesome! Thanks! 👍
The only one missing that I needed was a 46mm step ring that I had to get separately. My 25mm uses that size and I'm sure other lenses from Olympus do.
Do you get a weird "Maltese Cross" distortion at the darkest point in the variable range on the filter? I've been wondering if an oversized variable ND might be a solution if the maltese cross is caused by light leakage... maybe?
There are very expensive ones but start somewhere in the middle price range. I like this one: amzn.to/2VrZaB5 I've bought very cheap ones and they can be blurry or add color cast or cause an "x-pattern".
I love these. BTW I been meaning to ask. I've read it asserted that the ISO setting that is used has some effect on the dynamic range of the sensor, and that for the OM MFD this max's the dynamic range when set to ISO 200. It was getting to be a hot debate .Wondered if you ever heard anything definitive.
Raising ISO certainly reduces dynamic range, so lowering it below the base ISO will probably do the same. I may have to test for this to see if I can prove it. But the difference may be so subtle that I won't be able to demonstrate it.
There are very expensive ones but start somewhere in the middle price range. I like this one: amzn.to/2VrZaB5 I've bought very cheap ones and they can be blurry or add color cast or cause an "x-pattern".
There are filters that have greatly reduced that effect. They cost more but are worth it. The one I recommended doesn't do that until you're near the max, at which point I might choose to close the aperture a little.
Variable ND Filter K&F
USA: amzn.to/2VrZaB5
UK: amzn.to/2XSR8OZ
DE: amzn.to/2XVKrM2
Filter Step Rings
USA: amzn.to/2GHu5zO
UK: amzn.to/2DDbh3O
DE: amzn.to/2XVGOG8
Social:
Instagram: instagram.com/robtreklens/
Facebook: facebook.com/RobTrekLens/
My Blog: robtrek.com
Donations to support my channel greatly appreciated!
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
*We are a participant in the Ebay and Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Ebay.com Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Hi Rob, I'm using the K&F ND8-ND128, excellent quality and great value for money filter.
@@LeighKempPhotoArt I use the K&F X Nano versions. Works great!
Great video! I learned so much in less than 10 minutes! Using an ND filter to achieve shallow DOF for portraits is something that I've never heard before. I will sure try it. Thanks!
Thanks. It's one of the main reasons to get one!
This was extremely useful! I have the exact same set up and love to do the occasional portrait of a friend. I'll now consider getting a filter and trying this myself. Thank you!
Thanks. You should be able to use the methodology in most lighting conditions, outside of being too dark. I wanted to demonstrate in bright sun, but can't wait for the weather.
You are an outstanding teacher!
Thank you!
Hi Rob. I've no luck acquiring variable ND filters. The couple I've tried have been pretty much crap, causing extreme colouring instead of just reducing light. Can you suggest a brand of filter that you find acceptable? Thanks. Tim
This is the one that I use and can recommend. amzn.to/2VrZaB5 It dials in from 1 stop to 4 stops, so 5 stops total light reduction. It's sharp, well made, and there is no banding but there is a slight color shift as you get darker. At 1 stop, virtually no color shift, at 4 stops it shifts about 500k, so a 5700k picture will shift to about 6100k. I haven't used any high end ND filters, but this one is relatively inexpensive and does a great job. Be sure to get this specific one in the size you need as K&F makes several filters and the cheaper ones suck.
Another fascinating video with your insight to ND + Flash, intriguing stuff without doubt. Manipulating light is a whole new ball game. I'm using the Godox AD200 but I think you're principles of flash + ND apply throughout a whole range of scenarios. Nice evolution.
Thanks. The methodology is sound. I wanted to do this in bright sunlight, but can't wait for the weather every time I want to take a picture or make a video. So I play the cards dealt. I may do a video on my ad200 soon.
Hi Rob, if you use step up rings, how many rings can you stack at the same time, and not encounter image issues, (to step up from a small lens to large filter), Could you safely connect say 5 rings?
I don't see any issue until you start using wide angle lenses. I think at 25mm you'll be fine. Below that and you might start to get some vignetting because the step rings will start acting like a lens hood.
That makes sense, thanks! 🙂
Hi Rob, very informative indeed. I use exactly the same setup but find it hard to get myself in focus. I set the custom delayed trigger to autofocus in between shots, but it is still hit and miss. Any advice?
Thanks. I don't normally have any issues. I use C-AF with Face Detect. When using the nd filter, I did miss a few shots, so needed to pick a single point, turn off face detect, and set to S-AF. Then I planted my face on that spot.
Hi Rob, what is your opinion on a combination ND + CPL filter (polarizer) K&F have them on their website. I'm trying to think when I wouldn't want both together...
A variable nd filter is essentially a polarizer. However, solid nd filters could work. Just watch out for banding, particularly with wide angle lenses.
Ok thanks :) ordered a combination one, will see how it goes :)
Thanks Rob another great tutorial that I will be applying. When you use ND filters do you still need hoods in harsh light ? Thank you again.
Yes, they are subject to the same issues as any lens. You may need two lens hoods - wide angle and telephoto or you could get a collapsible rubber hood.
An excellent explanation, thanks
Thank you!
Hi Rob!
Thanks for another great video and useful tips.
I'm going to take a look at those links, those filter step rings look pretty awesome! Thanks! 👍
Thanks again!
The only one missing that I needed was a 46mm step ring that I had to get separately. My 25mm uses that size and I'm sure other lenses from Olympus do.
@@RobTrek isn't 46mm the diameter for the 17mm f1.8? I guess I have one already...🤔 Have to check it out.
Do you get a weird "Maltese Cross" distortion at the darkest point in the variable range on the filter?
I've been wondering if an oversized variable ND might be a solution if the maltese cross is caused by light leakage... maybe?
I do have issues on the really cheap nd filters. I'll do a short video about them soon. It's not light leaks. Thanks.
Loved your video, are you able to recommend which brand filters were used?
There are very expensive ones but start somewhere in the middle price range. I like this one: amzn.to/2VrZaB5
I've bought very cheap ones and they can be blurry or add color cast or cause an "x-pattern".
As a newbie to photography your advice has been very beneficial, items are ordered, thanks Rob, and look forward to more vids from you
I love these. BTW I been meaning to ask. I've read it asserted that the ISO setting that is used has some effect on the dynamic range of the sensor, and that for the OM MFD this max's the dynamic range when set to ISO 200. It was getting to be a hot debate .Wondered if you ever heard anything definitive.
Raising ISO certainly reduces dynamic range, so lowering it below the base ISO will probably do the same. I may have to test for this to see if I can prove it. But the difference may be so subtle that I won't be able to demonstrate it.
there so many different brands of ND filters around which one(brand) to buy?
There are very expensive ones but start somewhere in the middle price range. I like this one: amzn.to/2VrZaB5
I've bought very cheap ones and they can be blurry or add color cast or cause an "x-pattern".
In the past years I bought a bunch of chinese cheap step ring for the same purpose.I bought them individually..the postman hated me..
Hahaha! Getting them one at a time would be painful for me.
Some variable ND filters produce strange side effects ....
Great video ... thanks
Thanks. Yes, the problems are more pronounced in the low end filters. I use a mid-grade K&F which minimizes to a great extent much of that.
I've got a few variable NDs, but ultimately I've settled with using stopped ND filters, cuz VNDs something give me that X in the middle
There are filters that have greatly reduced that effect. They cost more but are worth it. The one I recommended doesn't do that until you're near the max, at which point I might choose to close the aperture a little.
I use the double face tape...in an emergency to attach a filter to a lens when I dont have the right size.
I sometimes use a rubberband.
Peter Hurley called, he wants you to "squinch"
Shabang!