Voigtlander 12mm Center ND Filter

[jto555]

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Hi, I just got a new Voigtlander 12mm and I am wondering if anybody knows of a Center ND Filter that will fit?

 

I have found a (1.5 stop) Schneider 67mm Center Filter (#3) for 65mm f/5.6 & 75mm f/5.6 Super Angulon Len, but will the characteristics of this filter match the VC lens?

 

I am using CornerFix but the 2 stop exosure difference between the center and edge of the lens leads to extra noise in the edges and corners of the shots. My workaround at the moment is to shoot a correct exposure and to over expose one frame by 2 stops. Then layer the two shots together in Photoshop.

 

So a Center Spot ND filter would speed things up in post.

 

Thanks,

John

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[MikeEvangelist]

If you code that lens as a 21/2.8 pre-asph, I think you'll find you won't need Cornerfix at all. It gave beautiful results for me.

 

Mike

[MikeEvangelist]

A couple random examples, shot on a M9.

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[jto555]

Thanks Mike. Even with the lens coded I will still get an increase in noise at the edges and corners as they are now brightened up by 2 stops by the camera software rather that by CornerFix in post. If I can darken the center with a center spot netural density graduated filter and adjust exposure to suit I will eliminate the extra noise and get a cleaner image.

 

 

 

 

John

[mirekti]

I only know they are extremely expensive, but not sure why.

[henning]

Schneider and Heliopan make center filters that fit. As I shot a lot of large format stuff, I have and have had a variety of center filters for larger fomat lenses. Also ones for the Hassleblad/Fuji Xpan 30mm lens and the Leica Hologon.

 

For the 12mm I used a Schneider filter with a 77mm thread, which works well with the 77mm adapter for the LTM mount 12mm lens. Due to the construction of most center filters won't fit the 58mm thread of the new lens (the outside of the filter is much larger than 58mm). The only one I can think of that might fit is the Hasselblad filter. I forget how much larger it is on the outside than the filter thread.

 

Here is a picture of my M6 with 12mm and center filter (77mm) attached. In front is the Hasselblad Xpan filter.

 

Henning

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[jto555]

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Thanks Henning, I have the new version on the lens with the built-in lens hood and a 67mm filter ring. So unfortunately the 77mm adapter wont fit.

 

While the Schneider 67mm Center Filter (#3) may physically fit I am afraid that the filter may encroach into the picture area or/and may leave me with a dark or light ring in the photo if the grad is the wrong size. And at €300+ a filter, it could be an expensive mistake!

 

 

John

[viramati]

I had one of these when I first bought the lens but found that it didn't perform well on the M9 with the digital sensor. In the I used it with 21mm code and made a preset to deal with any corner colouring in Lightroom

[fotofool]

Sorry to resurrect and old thread, but it has been more than a year since this discussion and I wonder if anyone has new information?

 

I want a center ND filter for my Voigtlander 12mm (updated version w/67mm thread) for landscape work. I'll be using it on my M typ 240. I guess I have three questions:

 

 

1. Has anyone actually used one the aforementioned Schneider center ND filter on this lens? Does it fit (no interference with the built in hood)? Does it give good results (especially on a full frame camera)?
   
2. There are actually several Schenider center ND filters with 67mm threads, optimized for several different Schneider lenses. Any idea which one to prefer for the Voight 12mm?
   
3. There is a (disturbingly) cheap alternative called the Marumi ND-II. It is available on Amazon for about $11 USD! Does anyone have experience with this filter or brand?
   

Thanks,

[jankap]

Did you see the thread LR 5.7?

Glass and SuperWA lenses are not a good combination.

Jan

[fotofool]

No Jan, thanks for pointing it out. But based on that discussion I don't expect to use the new Adobe profiles as they apparently don't correct the edge color problems as well as in camera processing and doing both results in over correction. (I'm going to test that conclusion myself though.)

 

In any case, I have no problem manually correcting the corner brightness in post processing. But the adjustment needed is so severe that it degrades image quality around the edges. I would prefer to get it right in camera by giving the sensor a more uniform illumination.

[jankap]

Of course your strategy is the better way. Correcting the lens is at least in theory better than correcting the sensor output.

But you change the f/stop of the lens from f/5.6 to f/11(?). And you bring glass into the light path, which is bad in case of wide angle lenses.

If you correct the sensor output, you amplify the noise in the corners. Perhaps here would be ETTR in the center of the picture of advantage.

 

In Dutch one would say it is either lead or old iron. Meaning, that both methods have their disadvantages.

 

I use the 12mm on APS-C as a 18mm f/5.6 lens. I did not correct the corners yet.

Jan

 

PS

Nowadays lead is very valuable.

[doctorfab]

Hi, I am interested too!

Nobody has any experience with Center Filters on a 12mm Voigtlander lens?

[pico]

Hi, I am interested too!

Nobody has any experience with Center Filters on a 12mm Voigtlander lens?

 

Late to the thread with just a tip.

 

When using a center filter, at least with larger formats, it is necessary to increase exposure (1.5 to 2X) as shutter speed PLUS another two stops (at the diaphragm)  to make the graduated filter function properly. An exception in my experience is with Biogon wide angles which do not have as significant fall-off as other lenses.

[gvaliquette]

I usually shoot 2 frames when using my 12mm VC.  One at the "correct" exposure, one with 2 stops overexposure.  I then use CornerFix on both frames.  While I am usually happy with the result of Cornerfix on the second frame, I still have the option of fusing both frames in post.

 

Guy