Finding an ND Filter for the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 ii with the GH5

[SpideySound]

Hey everyone, im new to the forums and just had a question that im more confused now than when i started looking lol.

Im looking for an ND filter for the Panasonic 12-35mm.

I know I need an ND filter, Im going to be in Panama City Beach for an entire week shooting video in blinding sunlight, the problem is im not sure which one to buy.

There's really no budget limitation on it so no worries on that.

I guess theres a few things im looking for:

- variable

-at least 2 to 9 stops, can be more but no less

- has to have front threads so that I can put my lens cap on it

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

These are pretty obvious but just want to make sure im covering my bases:

- no vignetting

-no color shift

-no x mark

I think that's it. Ive just been searching online and cant exactly find what im looking for, hoping someone can lead me in the right direction.

I know the metaphor is used all of the time but I literally just want sunglasses for my lens lol thanks everyone!

 

[NZ Scott]

Hey everyone, im new to the forums and just had a question that im more confused now than when i started looking lol.

Im looking for an ND filter for the Panasonic 12-35mm.

I know I need an ND filter, Im going to be in Panama City Beach for an entire week shooting video in blinding sunlight, the problem is im not sure which one to buy.

There's really no budget limitation on it so no worries on that.

I guess theres a few things im looking for:

- variable

-at least 2 to 9 stops, can be more but no less

- has to have front threads so that I can put my lens cap on it

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

These are pretty obvious but just want to make sure im covering my bases:

- no vignetting

-no color shift

-no x mark

All variable ND filters suffer from this at wide angle, unfortunately.

I think that's it. Ive just been searching online and cant exactly find what im looking for, hoping someone can lead me in the right direction.

I know the metaphor is used all of the time but I literally just want sunglasses for my lens lol thanks everyone!

I owned a Hoya 58mm Variable ND for a short time. It's meant to offer something like 2 to 9 stops.

I returned it because the dreaded "x" kicked in after only 4 stops when shooting at 12mm.

However, it was otherwise pretty good in terms of vignetting, colour cast, etc, and it did genuinely offer 9 stops at normal to long focal lengths.

I would recommend it as long as you're not needing more than four stops at wide angle.

It costs about USD $85 in the United States, which is reasonable for a high-quality variable ND.

S

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottkmacleod/

 

[amtberg]

I use a Tiffen variable ND that works very well. The words Tiffen and high quality don't normally go together, but they do a good job with the variable NDs. One well known Youtuber compared it a bunch of others and found it as good as ones costing 3X as much.

One thing to note is that the front threads are 67mm so you'll need a bigger lens cap than the one that comes with the lens.

 

[apekkpul]

I have had two Tiffen variable ND filters. They are ok’ish if not used in a maximum position. After half way there start to be X shape, so Tiffens are not great NDs.

 

[hindesite]

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

Are you sure about that? Generally there is merit in buying a larger filter and using step rings. It future proofs your investment.

You may find the front of the filter is larger than the back (they often are), so your lens cap may not fit, anyway.

To minimise flare induced by the filter in sunlight it is also worthwhile to fit a lens hood - get a cap for that and you have a pretty good setup, though bulky.

In NZ the GH5 was sold with "free" Syrp VND filter - IIRC it was 72mm, with step rings. Seems like a reasonably good filter.

Don't forget that to avoid the X in wideangle, you can use ND filters instead.

 

[amtberg]

I have had two Tiffen variable ND filters. They are ok’ish if not used in a maximum position. After half way there start to be X shape, so Tiffens are not great NDs.

Huh, I don't get that at all with mine, even at max power.

Here's a link to the review I referenced:

 

[Stejo]

You're asking for the impossible really. X pattern is found on all variable nds by design. And a minor color shift is also a given. I am not aware of any filters that don't exhibit this.

As for recommendations, if budget is not an issue as you say, b+w is the best I've tried by a small margin. For less than half the money you can get a Hoya or Tiffen that are almost as good. Between the two I prefer Hoyas but differences are marginal.

And if you won't be using any lenses longer than 50mm or so, any $5 chinese filter (such as Fotga) will do just fine.

If you want a truly neutral filter with no side effects, you'll have to go with a set of fixed nds I'm afraid. But that's nowhere as convenient and most importantly doesn't allow you to adjust exposure while recording. Win some, lose some.

 

[NZ Scott]

I have had two Tiffen variable ND filters. They are ok’ish if not used in a maximum position. After half way there start to be X shape, so Tiffens are not great NDs.

Huh, I don't get that at all with mine, even at max power.

Here's a link to the review I referenced:

He's shooting with a telephoto.

Try using your ND on a wide-angle lens (eg, 12mm) and see if you get an x-pattern then.

S

 

[NZ Scott]

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

Are you sure about that? Generally there is merit in buying a larger filter and using step rings. It future proofs your investment.

I use 58mm filters on my 12-35 and they're fine.

A lot of lenses have smaller filter sizes than 58mm. In fact, the second-most common filter size in m43 is 46mm.

You may find the front of the filter is larger than the back (they often are), so your lens cap may not fit, anyway.

It will fit.

To minimise flare induced by the filter in sunlight it is also worthwhile to fit a lens hood - get a cap for that and you have a pretty good setup, though bulky.

The 12-35 comes supplied with a lens hood, which fits on the lens no problem while filters are being used.

In NZ the GH5 was sold with "free" Syrp VND filter - IIRC it was 72mm, with step rings. Seems like a reasonably good filter.

Don't forget that to avoid the X in wideangle, you can use ND filters instead.

 

[hindesite]

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

Are you sure about that? Generally there is merit in buying a larger filter and using step rings. It future proofs your investment.

I use 58mm filters on my 12-35 and they're fine.

Good, but they don't work so well on my 100-400.

I'm not saying the 23-35 isn't 58mm, just pointing out the larger context.

A lot of lenses have smaller filter sizes than 58mm. In fact, the second-most common filter size in m43 is 46mm.

Nonetheless, the current trend is actually to larger filter sizes. The Lumix 22/2.8 is for example, 77mm. The m.zuiko 12-100 is 72mm.

You may find the front of the filter is larger than the back (they often are), so your lens cap may not fit, anyway.

It will fit.

How do you know that? Many VND filters have a larger front element to reduce vignetting. B+W do, for example. Some VND filters have no front thread at all.

To minimise flare induced by the filter in sunlight it is also worthwhile to fit a lens hood - get a cap for that and you have a pretty good setup, though bulky.

The 12-35 comes supplied with a lens hood, which fits on the lens no problem while filters are being used.

Again, you don't know what VND filter the OP is buying.

In NZ the GH5 was sold with "free" Syrp VND filter - IIRC it was 72mm, with step rings. Seems like a reasonably good filter.

Don't forget that to avoid the X in wideangle, you can use ND filters instead.

I'm assuming that you've misinterpreted my post, as your post is well out of character when compared to your other posts on DPR.

 

[amtberg]

I have had two Tiffen variable ND filters. They are ok’ish if not used in a maximum position. After half way there start to be X shape, so Tiffens are not great NDs.

Huh, I don't get that at all with mine, even at max power.

Here's a link to the review I referenced:

He's shooting with a telephoto.

Try using your ND on a wide-angle lens (eg, 12mm) and see if you get an x-pattern then.

S

 

[Shirozina]

B+W vario nano. Not cheap but the best; Multi coated glass is a big advantage as you are effectively stacking 2 filters. Limited rotation range so no X. Opticaly near perfect so no resolution loss. Slight warm cast but no variable ND is perfect in this regards.

 

[NZ Scott]

- 58mm size so that it fits the 12-35mm lens

Are you sure about that? Generally there is merit in buying a larger filter and using step rings. It future proofs your investment.

I use 58mm filters on my 12-35 and they're fine.

Good, but they don't work so well on my 100-400.

I'm not saying the 23-35 isn't 58mm, just pointing out the larger context.

The OP has a 12-35 and is specifically asking about filters for the 12-35.

To minimise flare induced by the filter in sunlight it is also worthwhile to fit a lens hood - get a cap for that and you have a pretty good setup, though bulky.

The 12-35 comes supplied with a lens hood, which fits on the lens no problem while filters are being used.

Again, you don't know what VND filter the OP is buying.

The lens hood will fit with any 58mm filter. This is because the hood is relatively wide, and there is a lot of free space between the lens/filter and the hood.

I

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My Flickr stream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottkmacleod/