View Full Version : Polarising Filter for Z7
Jonathan Richards June 2nd, 2009, 05:44 PM Not sure if this has been covered at another time. I can't seem to find it.
Does anyone know if you can get a polarising filter for the standard lens that fits behind the usual lens hood?
Any pointers would be great.
Thanks everyone.
Zach Love June 2nd, 2009, 11:33 PM If it is about the same size as the UV filter, then you should be able to find something. If it is bigger than that, I'm guessing that you'll have to take off the lens hood.
Jonathan Richards June 3rd, 2009, 01:30 AM I'll look for a slim one then!
Is it 72mm?
Matt Bigwood June 3rd, 2009, 02:21 AM I was using a polarising filter yesterday, and certainly with mine it's impossible to use it with the lens hood on as the filter needs to be rotated to the correct position to get rid of reflections/polarise the blue sky.
My filter has a small lever on the edge to help rotate it and this would foul the lens hood if I tried to re-attach it with the polarising filter in place.
Jonathan Richards June 3rd, 2009, 09:53 AM I see.
Does anyone know if the Hoya Pro HD filter will fit?
Stuart McAlister June 7th, 2009, 12:41 AM The majority of popular SLR 72mm polarising filters will fit the Z7 ... and with the lens hood in position.
Jonathan Richards June 7th, 2009, 02:17 AM Really? - cool.
I need to take my camera down to a shop and try it I think.
Have you tried this yourself?
Matt Bigwood June 7th, 2009, 09:59 AM Even if the polarising filter didn't have a lever (like mine does) I think it would be difficult to operate it with the lens hood in place. The only way of doing it would be to rotate the filter to the correct position and then re-attach the lens hood.
Stuart McAlister June 7th, 2009, 10:06 PM Jonathan,
Yes, I use it regularly. A Cokin filter fits perfectly and the Z7 lens hood slips on quite normally.
John Knight June 8th, 2009, 03:50 PM Hi Jonathan,
I use the 72mm HOYA PRO1 Digital Circular PL filter for bright blue sky shots. Adds a real punch. I use it without the lens hood as I need to twiddle the outer ring to achieve the correct effect I'm after. The best way to guage this is aim at some clouds - twirl the ring around until the clouds 'pop' out from the background - ie maximum contrast to the sky.
Here's the filter
HOYA FILTERS - The Difference is Clear (http://hoyafilter.com/products/hoya/pro1d-04.html)
Here's a few shots I did with Z7 and filter attached - specifically the cloud/mountain time lapse bits.
http://vimeo.com/2114456
I think the only shot without the PL filter was the waterfall at 01:40 - you can see how different the sky looks there. No post effects have been added to any footage - just straight out of the Z7.
Zach Love June 9th, 2009, 08:49 AM Even if the polarising filter didn't have a lever (like mine does) I think it would be difficult to operate it with the lens hood in place. The only way of doing it would be to rotate the filter to the correct position and then re-attach the lens hood.
I think this is only the case with linear filters, if you get a circular filter then you don't need to rotate it.
I think it is a good idea to have one of each, but really depends on your needs. But if you do need to pop off the lens hood, it takes half a second to take off the hood, so I wouldn't see it as that much of a problem. The Z1's lens hood takes a few seconds longer, and I could see that getting annoying.
John Knight June 9th, 2009, 10:51 PM I think this is only the case with linear filters, if you get a circular filter then you don't need to rotate it.
Ummmmm..... no.
You need circular for video or autofocus SLR's. You need to rotate the ring because it changes the amount of polerization the filter gives you.
Jonathan Richards June 10th, 2009, 06:24 AM It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka.
We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well.
I've been thinking for a long time of biting the bullet and buying a Matte Box. It seems unlikely that I'm going to be able to control a polarising filter with the hood on, so this might swing it.
What do you think?
Greg Laves June 10th, 2009, 03:49 PM I am going to get the Nikon circular polarizer for my Z7. Some of the reviews I read for the Hoya are not as good as the Nikon reviews. The retail price is similar but I think you can get Hoyas discounted more readily. The Nikon is very slim and will not vignette. The last time I shot with a circular polarizer it was on my V1. I set the orientation of the polarizer one time and never adjusted it again and I still got terrific results.
Rob Morse June 12th, 2009, 08:54 PM [QUOTE=Jonathan Richards;1156605]It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka.
We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well.QUOTE]
This is a little OT but have you tried shooting the camera in those conditions before? I saw a video somewhere where the guy was shooting out of a helicopter and the jello effect on the footage was insane.
Greg Laves June 12th, 2009, 10:05 PM This is a little OT but have you tried shooting the camera in those conditions before? I saw a video somewhere where the guy was shooting out of a helicopter and the jello effect on the footage was insane.
Rob, I have shot numerous times out of a helicopter, with both the Z7 and V1, and neither have exhibited any issues like that what so ever. I have seen the video you referred to and I am positively that footage was not shot with any Sony CMOS camcorder. As a matter of fact, I would be willing to bet that, no matter how hard you tried, you would not be able to re-produce that kind of footage with a Sony Z7. No worries Jonathon, the Z7 will do great.
Raul Barcelona June 13th, 2009, 07:51 AM Thanks John for sharing that sample footage! Looks incredible!
I've been trying to figure out how to get my sky to look less white and bluer--I'm going to invest in a polarizer now!
Thanks again!
Raul
T.G. Lawrence June 14th, 2009, 12:34 AM I recently used the Hoya Pro 1 polarizer with the Z7 on an aerial shoot above Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand with excellent results. Be prepared to lose a stop or two.
Rob Morse June 16th, 2009, 11:35 AM Rob, I have shot numerous times out of a helicopter, with both the Z7 and V1, and neither have exhibited any issues like that what so ever. I have seen the video you referred to and I am positively that footage was not shot with any Sony CMOS camcorder. As a matter of fact, I would be willing to bet that, no matter how hard you tried, you would not be able to re-produce that kind of footage with a Sony Z7. No worries Jonathon, the Z7 will do great.
It's nice to know someone who has actually done that. That video almost scared me out of buying a CMOS camera. I guess that's what this forum is about, breaking the myths.
John Knight June 16th, 2009, 02:52 PM I guess that's what this forum is about, breaking the myths.
Unfortunately it also does a great job of spreading them! ;)
Jonathan Richards July 14th, 2009, 02:17 AM Just to close out this discussion, I ended up buying the Cokin P series circular polariser (+ a blue and grey grad).
They worked just fine. Took my time with some shots and got the rewards!
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