I just learned that you can achieve a better DOF with an ND filter and I'd like to get one for my HC1. Which one is the best to buy, and what company should I buy it from (preferably in Ontario, Canada)? Thanks.

I use an ND 6 on my camera......appears to be a two stop difference on my HC-1. Tiffen is fine.


I just learned that you can achieve a better DOF with an ND filter and I'd like to get one for my HC1. Which one is the best to buy, and what company should I buy it from (preferably in Ontario, Canada)? Thanks.

a better DOF well there's no such thing as a "better" DOF. Its either shallow or deeper, and which you need depends on what effect you're trying to achieve.
But yes an ND filter will cut light entering lens so camera will use a larger aperture giving shallower DOF which is often useful for doing head'n'shoulders portrait shots.

I took it as meaning he was looking for 'more control' over the depth of field.

If i need to open the aperature right up i use both teh 37mm Sony ND filter + Polarizer made specifically for the HC1.

Does the job fine, altho I've never measured exactly how many stops that is tho.

Since the HC1 has built in ND filters, an ND8 (3stop) is not much use since it simply replaces the effect of what the camera already has. If you need to be at F1.8 in bright conditions then you will need 2 x ND8s or a single 5-6stop if you can find one.

Since the HC1 has built in ND filters, an ND8 (3stop) is not much use since it simply replaces the effect of what the camera already has.This is an excellent point and one which i had not personally previously considered.

HC1 doesn't use those nd filters until at f4.