Canon GL-2. Strange f-stop problem. at DVinfo.net

Robert Pittman · August 9th, 2004, 02:25 PM

Hello All!

I am to work as cameraman on a documentary in Poland. They have no money and want me to shoot with a Canon GL-2. I tested it the other day and found out that the smallest f-stop is f8. With the ND filter on and at f8 I was unable to properly expose the sky. It was blown out. Normally I would need f16 for this.

1.How does one work with this??

2.Is it okay to put an ND filter between the lens and the wide angle adapter lens, or will this ruin the focus and cause vignetting? (There are no threads on the front of the wide angle converter lens.)

3. They want to blow up to 35mm film possibly. Should I vie for a better camera? (I am spoiled with my own xl-1 but it is ntsc!)

Thanks to anyone in advance who can help!
Cheers,
Robert

Jeff Donald · August 9th, 2004, 02:40 PM

Smaller f/stops cause diffraction on these smaller cameras. Use a ND filter between the WA adapter and the lens. The widest zoom setting may cause vignetting, I'd run a few test first to determine possibility of vignetting.

Don Palomaki · August 9th, 2004, 07:18 PM

Consider using a faster shutter speed .

Bill Pryor · August 10th, 2004, 12:02 PM

I'd go for the external ND filter. You probably will get some vignetting zoomed back all the way with the wide angle adapter, so just zoom in a bit. Shooting at a faster shutter speed can be an option, but it may cause you additional problems in some cases (for example, spinning objects such as wheels may strobe and flicker).

Prech Marton · August 11th, 2004, 11:37 AM

Hi Robert,

"I was unable to properly expose the sky. It was blown out. "

Try a hard or soft gradient ND filter. Do you have a Cokin filter holder?
Go ahead with tiffen or something good one.
The cokin isn't a true neutral.

hope this helps,
Marton

August 9th, 2004, 02:25 PM	#1
Robert Pittman Tourist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: LA, CA Posts: 1	Canon GL-2. Strange f-stop problem. Hello All! I am to work as cameraman on a documentary in Poland. They have no money and want me to shoot with a Canon GL-2. I tested it the other day and found out that the smallest f-stop is f8. With the ND filter on and at f8 I was unable to properly expose the sky. It was blown out. Normally I would need f16 for this. 1.How does one work with this?? 2.Is it okay to put an ND filter between the lens and the wide angle adapter lens, or will this ruin the focus and cause vignetting? (There are no threads on the front of the wide angle converter lens.) 3. They want to blow up to 35mm film possibly. Should I vie for a better camera? (I am spoiled with my own xl-1 but it is ntsc!) Thanks to anyone in advance who can help! Cheers, Robert

August 9th, 2004, 02:40 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Smaller f/stops cause diffraction on these smaller cameras. Use a ND filter between the WA adapter and the lens. The widest zoom setting may cause vignetting, I'd run a few test first to determine possibility of vignetting. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 9th, 2004, 07:18 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Consider using a faster shutter speed . __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

August 11th, 2004, 11:37 AM	#5
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	Re: Canon GL-2. Strange f-stop problem. Hi Robert, "I was unable to properly expose the sky. It was blown out. " Try a hard or soft gradient ND filter. Do you have a Cokin filter holder? Go ahead with tiffen or something good one. The cokin isn't a true neutral. hope this helps, Marton

August 10th, 2004, 12:02 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I'd go for the external ND filter. You probably will get some vignetting zoomed back all the way with the wide angle adapter, so just zoom in a bit. Shooting at a faster shutter speed can be an option, but it may cause you additional problems in some cases (for example, spinning objects such as wheels may strobe and flicker).