5D lens questions and ND thoughts
 

Hey everyone,

I am thinking about getting a 5D camera for VIDEO SHOOTING.

I am seeing the different lens and thinking about starting out with the
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF Lens

Anybody know if I will need ND filters for outdoor shooting in broad daylight, and where to get them??

Thanks, also considering the 7D....but really leaning towards the 5D.

You can get ND filters just about anywhere (B&H, Adorama, Samy's, etc). But you may want to do a Search here in the forum(s) about Fader NDs. They've been discussed pretty in-depth and there's a lot of good info here.
And, yes, if you want to get a shallow DOF in broad daylight without cranking your shutter speed, you'll want a fader or some ND filters.

So I assuming the ND filter screws on the camera, and then the lens to the ND filter?

Or how does it work?

The ND screws onto the end of the lens and you rotate it to get the desired effect.

So the 5D takes 77mm thread for lens.... so i get a 77mm thread ND fader I think....right?

Depends on the lens

Just to be clear:
You do NOT attach an ND filter (or a fader - or ANY filters) directly to the camera.
All filters (that I've ever heard of) go on the far end of the lens. This means you need to match the filter with the lens you are currently using.
If the lens is a 77mm, then yes, you will need a 77mm filter. If the lens is a 72, for example, you either need a 72mm filter, or you could still use that 77mm filter, but you'd have to use a "step-down" ring to make it fit the 72mm (for example).

Hope that helps.

Oh, I see...

So if the 5D has a 77mm thread for lens (which I see that it does) then you would have to use a 77mm lens (or an adaptor) and the ND filter always going on the end of the lens, not the camera.

So assuming you use the 5D and 77mm lens, ONE ND fader of 77mm would works best for all your 77mm lens.

Again, the 5D or ANY other camera will not dictate what filter size you need it's always the lens.

right but the lens you would get would be same thread as camera, right?

No, cameras have mounts. A 5d will have a canon EOS mount. The other end of the lens, the side that doesn't go into the camera has threads. Now, depending on which lens you buy, those threads could be different.

For example, my 24-70L 2.8 has 77mm along with my 70-200. BUT, my 16-35 has 82mm threads.

SO, I had to buy two different ND's because I didn't want to jack around with a thread converter.

In summary, you buy the ND for the size of the lens, that is, the end of the lens that points at your subject, not the end that goes into the camera.

I see...

so the mount is fixed on the camera, I am assuming...you don't have to buy a mount or anything, right?

And then you just buy the filter that is the same thread as the lens (aka 77 and 77, or 82 and 82, etc)

I recommend buying either 77mm or 82mm filters, depending on the lenses you plan to get. You can get step up adapters that allow you to mount those filters to lenses with much smaller threads. For instance, most inexpensive Nikon lenses use 52mm threads and most inexpensive Canon lenses use 58mm threads, though there are exceptions. But with a few step up rings, your filters can go on all of your lenses.

never mind....

Unless you have a mattebox ;^)

-- peer

They still go out on the far end just not attached to the camera. Even with a Mattbox

Of course, it was just a silly quip -- wouldn't surprise me if the OP even understand that mattebox filters don't screw onto the lens (unless he's trolling us all...).

-- peer

That could be the case, and I know you know. But he has frustrated me.

The best solution here is for him (assuming no trolls troll these waters) to go to a local camera store. They make quick work of showing which end of the lens is which - and why.
And then, of course, there are classes,which was already mentioned.

Jerry is right. You might consider a photography class. They might have one at Sierra College. (I used to live in Grass Valley.) Your local camera shop might sponsor workshops. I attended a Canon Intermediate workshop in Portland last year that was excellent. There are also photo clubs. We have one where I work that meets for lunch twice a month.

Then again, maybe you're a quick study. In that case, read everything you can at this site and other photo-oriented sites.

In any case, learn first. Spend later.

One other recommendation that I have is to figure out your shooting goals before you buy. Maybe you want to make nature films, an action movie, a romantic comedy, skateboarding docs, music videos, underwater library footage, Jackass videos, timelapses, stop action films, a prison documentary, wedding DVDs, astronomy films, or microscopic research captures. Each genre and your personal style within that genre might dictate the use of different equipment. Getting (buying or renting) the tools that you need to produce your vision is an important step in achieving your goals.

Not wanting to confuse the OP but just to clarify that in special circumstances filters may indeed be fitted at body end of the lens. The obvious & most common case is that of a fisheye lens that is too bulbous for a screw on filter so has a little holder at the camera mount end for filters. I own the Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye can accommodate up to three gel filters EOS (SLR) Camera Systems - Wide-Angle - Wide Angle Lens - EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye - Canon USA Consumer Products
There are also special filters that fit inside the camera body for astronomical photography
Astronomik EOS Clip Filter System

hahaha........You guys crack me up.

Jerry you don't think I know much? I wonder why I am one of the top companies in my area...of course I am new to DSLR cameras.....but still....I know what I am getting into....just picking your guys brains about the lens since they do cost a pretty penny.

Thanks everyone for your help. Coming from the EX1r camera series, the whole interchangeable lens thing is new to me, and since these cameras are not even really video cameras I have to pick up on how the filters and whatnot goes together.

I think I got it sorted out now.
Thanks everyone.

Guys I think someone was just playin with ya.... if one is to be believed he is no noobie...

Sacramento Wedding & Corporate Videographer - Roseville Folsom Tahoe

That's the thing about forums. You never know how much - or little - any given poster knows.

Confusing lens mounts and filter threads seemed pretty basic though...