Filtration Experiments

NOTE: Because I was unable to get support for deleting or editing the topics title,(https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63308716) I've had to create a new topic based on a different subject.

There's on on going debate with several members here and other sites who are experiencing issues with ND or Polarization filters on their mirrorless cameras. For the past year I've tested 6 major brands and 3 not so major brands a total of 12 different ND, Graduated ND and Polarization filters.

For more than 1 year, I've purchased, tested then returned filter like B&W, Hoya and tiffen only to learn that none of these filters will work on my Canon M6 camera. it's like the camera views beyond the filter rendering the glass/plastic or resin filters obsolete.

This morning I've located another fellow who's been experiencing the same issues I have when using polarization filters on his mirrorless camera. mind you there are those within the forum who continue to avoid these results claiming that it's user error and not the filters fault.

As Alex and my self have said.. We know what we're doing and how to adjust the filter for maximum filtration. yet these forum members continue to read only what they want to read and avoid the issue that Yes there are those of use who are experiencing issue with the use of filters on our cameras. subsequently, I've since ignored all those who continue to discredit my test on the use of filters in conjunction with my M6 mirrorless camera.

After reading Alex's post from this morning, I couldn't help be notice at his images looked nearly identical to those image I took when testing these filters myself. Based on his images, it's apparent that Alex, myself and many others are having these same or identical issues for these filters. (https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63554319) As he has suggested, he too seem to gain more filtration or a slightly darker image when using the B&W filter. The exact filter I used almost 1 year with the identical results.

Here's a list of filters I've tested with my Canon M6:

• B&W
• Hoya
• Tiffen
• Lee
• Gobe
• Ranger

The B&W seem to offer the most filtration or darker image than all the other filters tested as I've listed this filter in the number 1 position.

Because of all these failed attempts to use filters on my camera and with my connections with the aerospace/electronics industry, I've contacted several counterparts in an effort to locate a space age material that could be used as a filter for my camera. it's become my mission to find materials that can or could be used as filters either as an ND or polarization filter.

As of 2 months ago, the shop sent two samples of materials they located in their shop set to be trashed. One piece was yellow while the other was tinted dark. I've since been testing the yellow material as a filter with positive results with images like this.

Dead Tree at Fell Lake

On this day, I wasn't able to carry my camera with me, so I took my LG Rebel cell phone with me just in case. Ironically, I also had a small sample of the yellow material that I placed over the cell phone camera lens. The end result is the above image. The bluest of blue skies and clear water helped me achieve this picture, with a cell phone I don't us often because I can never trust the image quality.

Although the image is a bit darker than I'd like it to be, it was clear that the yellow material is going to be apart of my photography from now on.

During these test, The shop again sent a sample of the tinted plastic/resin material. As compared to a ND filter which I've had for some time, the space aged tinted material is dark by 35-45%. I've yet to test this timed material, but the shop seen fit to pre-cut these small panels into 85mm x 100mm in order to fit the Coken P mounts. Now if I could get some warmer days to venture out with my new tinted "fixed" polarization filters.

Just as soon as I'm able to do that, I'll report back with my findings. But as compared to one of the ND filters I already have, this new plastic/resin material is darker than a grade 8 ND filter but not as dark as a grade 10 ND filter and has a metallic type coating on the face side of the material.

BrokenPhotography wrote:

NOTE: Because I was unable to get support for deleting or editing the topics title,(https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63308716) I've had to create a new topic based on a different subject.

There's on on going debate with several members here and other sites who are experiencing issues with ND or Polarization filters on their mirrorless cameras. For the past year I've tested 6 major brands and 3 not so major brands a total of 12 different ND, Graduated ND and Polarization filters.

For more than 1 year, I've purchased, tested then returned filter like B&W, Hoya and tiffen only to learn that none of these filters will work on my Canon M6 camera. it's like the camera views beyond the filter rendering the glass/plastic or resin filters obsolete.

Given that the filters are physically blocking some of the light coming through the system your camera can't render them obsolete. It's probably just changing the ISO so the effect is not seen (keeping the same shutter speed despite the reduced light).

Cameras are clever but they can't work out what light has been blocked by an external filter, they just react to what gets into the lens.

It would be different if you were talking about UV filters, digital cameras are barely sensitive to UV, so this change is ignored.

It's not clear whether you're talking about polarizing filters not working or colour filters not working. And if polarizing, straight or circular.

Are ND filters not working ? If you put a strong ND filter on the lens, with the metering mode set to A, and fixed ISO setting, the shutter speed should change. Does it ?

If you put a polarizing filter on the lens, and rotate it while watching the image (on the LCD or EVF) of a reflection in water,  the reflection should come and go. Does it ?

If you put a red filter on the lens, you should get a red image. Likewise for other colours.  If you have Auto White Balance set, the effect will be reduced. Set White Balance to Daylight/Sunlight for these experiments.