appleman Posted May 24, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 24, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anybody used these filters and if so what in your opinion is the superior make?. I'm very wary of putting inferior glass in front of the best lenses in the world. I have researched and found that B+W are well favoured. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 24, 2014 Posted May 24, 2014 Hi appleman, Take a look here Neutral Density Filters. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
FrozenInTime Posted May 24, 2014 Share #2 Posted May 24, 2014 B+W and Heliopan are the top tier manufacturers; I've also never had issue with Hoya. B+W have MRC multi coating on some of their filters up to to 3 stops - pick that option. Sronger filter are more prone to colour casts especially as you go away from the top brands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted May 24, 2014 Share #3 Posted May 24, 2014 Sronger filter are more prone to colour casts especially as you go away from the top brands. This is my experience with the Heliopan ND filters that I on and have used. I'd be interested to hear views on ND filters which don't induce a colour cast too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleman Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted May 24, 2014 B+W and Heliopan are the top tier manufacturers; I've also never had issue with Hoya. B+W have MRC multi coating on some of their filters up to to 3 stops - pick that option. Sronger filter are more prone to colour casts especially as you go away from the top brands. The B+W ND filter 3.0 (110E) single coated version has a light intensity reduction of 10 stops according to their website. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 24, 2014 Share #5 Posted May 24, 2014 I use B+W 3 stop ND MC filters, works fine for f1 and f1.4 lenses in bright sunlight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 24, 2014 Share #6 Posted May 24, 2014 The B+W ND filter 3.0 (110E) single coated version has a light intensity reduction of 10 stops according to their website. It depends what you want to do with it, but ten stops is a lot, even for a Noctilux wide open on a sunny day. I have a ten stop B+W filter for landscape work, but mostly use a three stop. As has been pointed out even with a quality filter there is likely to be a colour cast, but it can be adjusted in post processing. But with very long exposures most people find that sooner or later the M mount does leak light around the top edge of the mount (where the scallop cutout for the focusing cam is on the lens), but this can be overcome with simple methods of dropping a lens cloth over the camera, or a hair band wrapped around the lens at the base. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulev Posted May 24, 2014 Share #7 Posted May 24, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anybody used these filters and if so what in your opinion is the superior make?. I'm very wary of putting inferior glass in front of the best lenses in the world. I have researched and found that B+W are well favoured. I find myselve using ND filters a lot these days in order to be able to shoot wide open. B+W is my choice. Shooting at f1.4 with a 3-stop filter on a M9 is generally feasable. On a Monochrom this might already be a problem (default ISO 320). Buy wisely ( filter wise ) and use a step down filter ( eq 49 to 46mm), depending on theglass you have, because you might end up with a lot of ND filters ! :-) I love the fact that the view stays unobstructed, compared with a DSLR. Rgds Ulev Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted May 24, 2014 Share #8 Posted May 24, 2014 I have used B + H, Hoya, and Heliopan ND filters with success. I use them mostly to either eliminate moving objects (people or cars) or slow down water. One thing I would not do is stack two ND filters. I did that once at a Leica workshop and the files were a mess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesurf Posted May 25, 2014 Share #9 Posted May 25, 2014 I'm now using this setup with the E46 lenses, especially the 50 Summilux and I love it, well worth the added cost as it allows me to be at max aperture throughout the day in a really bright environment like Phoenix. I've listed the B&H links, but these are available at a number of retailers now: B+W 52mm XS-Pro Digital ND Vario MRC nano Filter 661075246 B&H B+W 46-52mm Step-Up Ring 65-041197 B&H Photo Video The B W Vario has the useful nano coating that repels water, simplifying cleaning. For the E39s, I go between a 6 stop B W ND and Leica Green or Leica Orange Filters that I've gotten used: B+W 39mm 1.8 ND MRC 106M Filter 66-1069138 B&H Photo Video Good luck with it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleman Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks for the advice guys. I intend to order the filter shown here B+W 46mm Neutral Density ND Filter 3.0 (110E) Single Coated Version at Hilton Photographic Online Store, UK It claims a reduction of 10 stops which seems excessive, what do you think?. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted May 26, 2014 Share #11 Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks for the advice guys. I intend to order the filter shown here B+W 46mm Neutral Density ND Filter 3.0 (110E) Single Coated Version at Hilton Photographic Online Store, UKIt claims a reduction of 10 stops which seems excessive, what do you think?. It depends what you want to do. 10 stops will turn 1/4000s into 1/4s, so if you want a filter that will allow you to take long exposures during the day (for example to blur water) then go for it, but if you are looking for something that will allow you to shoot wide open with a fast lens on a sunny day then you might be better with a 0.9 or 3 stop ND.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcraf Posted May 26, 2014 Share #12 Posted May 26, 2014 As others have said above, a '10 stopper' is quite a specialist tool. Again, as others have said, a 0.9 ( 3stops) is usually sufficient for faster lenses in many situations. That's what I use on my f1 Noctilux and 75 Summilux. It's a B&W MRC. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 26, 2014 Share #13 Posted May 26, 2014 I manage to cover most that I would like/need with a 60mm ND and a 46mm ND, this for me covers 35mm summilux, 50mm summilux, 28mm Summicron, 50mm Noctilux, 75mm Summilux. I might buy a 39mm 3 stop but like my 39mm lenses stopped down a little in preference Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleman Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks guys. It looks like a 2 or 3 stopper then. I will use this on my MM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted May 26, 2014 Share #15 Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks guys. It looks like a 2 or 3 stopper then. I will use this on my MM. With ISO 320 and 1.4, 1/4000th you will just about cover bright sunlight with a 3 stop, you will blow highlights with f1.0, but 6 stops are really hard to find and in my view too heavy to be flexible. A 3 stop would be my recommendation, shame they don't do 4 stops given how spot on 3 stops are with the M9-P and ISO 160 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted May 26, 2014 Share #16 Posted May 26, 2014 You can always stack filter to get 4 stops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted May 27, 2014 Share #17 Posted May 27, 2014 The B W Vario has the useful nano coating that repels water, simplifying cleaning. For the E39s, I go between a 6 stop B W ND and Leica Green or Leica Orange Filters that I've gotten used: B+W 39mm 1.8 ND MRC 106M Filter 66-1069138 B&H Photo Video Good luck with it How do you use the vario ND filter and know which density you want it to be? Perhaps it has the appropriate markings on the side of the filter itself, however the vario polarizing filter I purchased does not. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted May 27, 2014 Share #18 Posted May 27, 2014 How do you use the vario ND filter and know which density you want it to be? Perhaps it has the appropriate markings on the side of the filter itself, however the vario polarizing filter I purchased does not. Ken The density you choose is determined by the shutter speed/aperture that you wish to shoot with to get the effect you want. So just adjust the filter until you have the correct exposure settings. It's kind of irrelevant what density you finally shoot with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted May 27, 2014 Share #19 Posted May 27, 2014 How do you use the vario ND filter and know which density you want it to be? Perhaps it has the appropriate markings on the side of the filter itself, however the vario polarizing filter I purchased does not. Ken, Welcome to the forum! I occasionally use a Heliopan 62mm VarioND filter with my Noctilux if I need to shoot wide open on a bright day and, yes, it has numbers on the side that indicate the index (denseness). It comprises two polarising filters that turn relative to each other to gradually increase the total density but lower quality VarioND filters can produce broad lines in an 'X' shape across the image although I haven't experienced this with mine. I only wish it was available in 60mm diameter so I could dispense with the step down ring and use the pull-out hood. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted May 27, 2014 Share #20 Posted May 27, 2014 I occasionally use a Heliopan 62mm VarioND filter with my Noctilux ... I only wish it was available in 60mm diameter so I could dispense with the step down ring and use the pull-out hood. HELIOPAN 60MM VARIABLE ND FILTER #706090 NEW HELIOPAN 60MM VARIABLE ND FILTER #706090 NEW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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