RX100 IV built-in ND filter

Eomer · Feb 10, 2016

Hey guys,

i would like to know if anyone of you has compared the built-in nd filter with an external nd filter (e.g. Slim pro II).

Any differences?
Is an external filter worth the money?

And does anybody use an Polarization filter?

Thanks!!

And sorry for my bad english. im not a native speaker.

kind regards

Eomer

mreynolds767 · Feb 11, 2016

The built in filter is at Most 3 stop, so it would completely eliminate the need for buying a 1, 2 or 3 stop. it is a great add-on feature I wish they offered in all of their cameras.

Not sure what a Slim Pro II is or who makes it (B&W, Hoya, etc..) , but don't concern yourself if that is better than the built-in one or not, it would be a complete waste to buy if covering the same stop range as the built-in one.

However if you really want to alter the time 3 stops does not do that and therefore it does make sense to buy an aftermarket 5, 6 or 10 stop filter.

Personally if I had a built-in 3 stop option, I would add a 6 stop to my bag and then you can cover 3, 6, 9 as needed with just 1 extra filter.

A polarizer is completely different and it has it's uses, mainly reducing reflections.

Useful for water but really anything reflective and does add pop to Blue skies and other colors as well (though oddly usually more harmful then good at sunrise/sunset). Something good to have in the bag but you might only be using it 10% of the time so not something you need.

A polarizer will typically have the same effect as a 1 or 2 stop ND filter since it does darker the frame a bit.

Also, only at certain angles from the sun does it actually work so if the angle is not right you could be doing more harm than good by darkening your scene and lowering your shutter speed with no added benefit.

--
online gallery at:
www.MattReynoldsPhotography.com

Markr041 · Feb 11, 2016

Eomer said:
Hey guys,

i would like to know if anyone of you has compared the built-in nd filter with an external nd filter (e.g. Slim pro II).

Any differences?
Is an external filter worth the money?

And does anybody use an Polarization filter?

Thanks!!

And sorry for my bad english. im not a native speaker.

kind regards

Eomer

I used a polarizer filter on the RX100 IV, in addition to the built-in ND filter, in this video, to get impressive skies and to further knock down the light on this very bright day:

Eomer · Feb 14, 2016

This is really helpful. Thank you very much!

Eomer · Feb 14, 2016

Thank you very much, i will buy one!

SoCalWill · Feb 14, 2016

Not a fan of external filters, Tony Northrup summarizes why nicely.

landshark · Feb 14, 2016

SoCalWill said:
Not a fan of external filters, Tony Northrup summarizes why nicely.

That video has to have some of the worst advice I have ever seen, terrible,

Does not even explain the proper use of a polarizing filter. A quality UV filter is made of glass not plastic, and the better ones ate multi-coated just like the lens

That being said I will not be using any filters on my RX100IV, just do not feel the need with what I shoot with this camera

SoCalWill · Feb 14, 2016

landshark said:
Does not even explain the proper use of a polarizing filter. A quality UV filter is made of glass not plastic, and the better ones ate multi-coated just like the lens

The author specifically demonstrates using each filter in a variety of situations where they are most often used, with results and comparisons, and then explains the pricing and build of proper quality filters.

landshark · Feb 14, 2016

SoCalWill said:
landshark said:

Does not even explain the proper use of a polarizing filter. A quality UV filter is made of glass not plastic, and the better ones ate multi-coated just like the lens

Click to expand...

The author specifically demonstrates using each filter in a variety of situations where they are most often used, with results and comparisons, and then explains the pricing and build of proper quality filters.

Sorry he does not, he points how difficult it is to mount the polarizing filter then just proceeds to shoot in one direction, never explaining how the angle of the sun, and focal length effects the results one gets, he then shoots only one water shot declaring how it is better without a filter, again never explaining its use in different angles to the light or water, then he shoots a one shot of a car where both the shot with the filter and without suck and he proclaims how much better the shot without is better.

I have never been a big fan of NDs but even here, the solution is way more complicated than just putting on a filter and shooting. This is the is the only time he talks about filter quality.

Finally he suggests that UV filters are useless and only made of plastic, shooting to the sun producing more flare with the plastic filter, of course but if one used a glass filter you would not see and difference.

Finally he has no idea what he is talking about when referring to scratched lenses, yes in most situations, one may only notice a slight loos of resolution depending on the light, but shoot a scratched lens anywhere towards the light and you will have major flare. Also it is far easier too scratch a lens than he makes one believe.

Again the video is full of horrible advice.

Just for a point of reference, I have been shooting professionally for over 30 years.
Bob
www.bobdamico.com

Markr041 · Feb 14, 2016

1. If you shoot video, which means you keep the shutter speed low at 1/60th or less, in bright sunlight the built-in 3-stop ND is often not sufficient to prevent the use of tiny apertures, resulting in soft video or hot spots. You need an external ND or PL filter to block more light and keep apertures open.

2. The PL filter is sometimes essential. One important use is cutting glare when you have to shoot through windows or glass cases (e.g. museums).

Eomer · Feb 17, 2016

Thank you!

Ive bought an ND-Filter and an Pol-Filter!

Eomer · Feb 17, 2016

Thanks to all of you, guys.

Ive bouth filters. I wont use them all the time, but i think the pol-filter and the nd-filter will be useful for SOME situations.

have a great day!

mreynolds767 · Feb 17, 2016

Knowing when to use them both is the key.

ND filters are useful for video to maintain a needed slow shutter speed on bright days.

For stills they are used when you want for mainly artistic reasons a longer shutter speed, this could be to capture water movement in a certain way, to exaggerate moving clouds, to smooth out the moving scene.

Sunrise, sunset, anytime you are at the ocean or waterfalls and whenever you see cloud movement is a good time to experiment with using an ND filter. The use of more than 3 stops assume a tripod is going to be needed to use well.

In general shooting they will not provide a benefit and if you are shooting (stills) anything moving and trying to freeze that motion, you definitely don't want one.

If using an ND filter shooting RAW is highly advised, as even really good ones can add a color cast to your images and confuse your in camera's white balance, only be shooting RAW can you fully control the WB in post after the fact to correct any issues.

Polarizer you need to make sure the angle of the sun is right for it to function always. When the sun angle is right you would experiment with one when shooting lakes, streams, waterfalls, fall foliage, metallic items that reflect like cars, windows if you want to reduce reflections, lastly experiment with blue skies to bring more pop to the sky.

Except in these situations you would not use one, if portrait shooting they may hurt you due to lowering the shutter speed but if you have a blue sky background they could be helpful here. Typically sunrises and sunsets they are not helpful.

I find ND filters far more useful than Polarizer but like to keep both in the bag as they are useful and fun. You do need quality ones to not adversely affect image quality.

Breakthrough Photography makes the very best I have ever seen but are not inexpensive and don't think many RX100 shooters will be able to justify such filters.

elliottnewcomb · Feb 18, 2016

I agree, worst filter advice I have ever seen.

built in ND, for shooting at beach, anywhere very bright, is so easy, and, like mentioned, external darker one can be occasionally helpful. Essential for slowing down moving water.

for m1, no ND internal, I bought MagFilter adapter, use existing ND, Circular Polarizer (magfilter adapter simply spins while attached magnetically, so easy), and bought a macro set. they all work very well.

I am typically too lazy to take them, and settle for 'good enough', but they do improve things when used.

How many times do we cut the highlights PP to both tame and improve skies?

Shooting thru glare, store windows, water, reflections, is a terrific asset for many desired shots/effects.

Elliott

Paddler213 · Nov 5, 2016

The ND filter in the Mk V is On, Off, or Auto. It doesn't look like you can vary the effect or state the default increase in f-stop. Anybody know?

Foto4x4 · Nov 6, 2016

landshark said:
SoCalWill said:

Not a fan of external filters, Tony Northrup summarizes why nicely.

Click to expand...

That video has to have some of the worst advice I have ever seen, terrible,

Does not even explain the proper use of a polarizing filter. A quality UV filter is made of glass not plastic, and the better ones ate multi-coated just like the lens

That being said I will not be using any filters on my RX100IV, just do not feel the need with what I shoot with this camera

Paddler213 · Nov 6, 2016

The ND filter on the Mk V is 3 stops, not adjustable. Also, the timer could be more flexible, as in one should be able to dial in the delay, dial in the number of photos and the interval. Oh, well.

Brisn5757 · Jan 9, 2018

Markr041 said:
Eomer said:

Hey guys,

i would like to know if anyone of you has compared the built-in nd filter with an external nd filter (e.g. Slim pro II).

Any differences?
Is an external filter worth the money?

And does anybody use an Polarization filter?

Thanks!!

And sorry for my bad english. im not a native speaker.

kind regards

Eomer

Click to expand...

I used a polarizer filter on the RX100 IV, in addition to the built-in ND filter, in this video, to get impressive skies and to further knock down the light on this very bright day:

How do you attach it to the lens?

Brian

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