Light Craft 52mm Fader ND Mark II Filter, any thoughts? at DVinfo.net

Patrick Janka · February 27th, 2011, 09:10 PM

I'm looking to get an ND filter for when my Voigtlander 25mm shows up. Anyone have any experience with this one? Any other recommendations?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754992-REG/Light_Craft_415_52mm_Fader_ND_Mark.html

Jon Braeley · February 28th, 2011, 07:53 AM

Check out Genus brand also - they work well.

But why get the 52mm? This will not fit most other lenses then you need 2 or 3 more ND faders.

I use a 77mm ND and stop down rings to fit smaller lens sizes down to 52mm.

Patrick Janka · February 28th, 2011, 08:59 AM

That would make sense if I bought more lenses. Right now I have the stock 14-42mm. I don't plan on using ND on it because the lowest aperture setting is f/3.5, so it's not like I can really preserve a shallow depth of field on it. As far as the 25mm, its 35mm equivalent is 50mm. Then if I switch on the ETC mode that effectively gives me 130mm. Two great lenses/focal lengths for the price of one. I'm not sure what other lenses, if any I would want. If I get a wide angle lens I wouldn't be looking for shallow dof.

The only 77-52 step down ring I found on B&H is this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664893-REG/Novoflex_REDUZIERRNG_52_77_77_52mm_Step_Down_Ring_for.html
So the 52mm Lightcraft (or Genus) is $72, and the 77mm Genus + Step down is $135 + $58 = $193. Doesn't seem to make sense to go that route, unless I'm missing something. Thanks for bearing with me while I work this out.

Jon Braeley · February 28th, 2011, 01:47 PM

That is not a step down ring.

You can pick up all sizes of step down and step up adapters from ebay for about $5 each. They are indespensable unless you want to buy a set of filters for each lens - not just ND, but UV, polarizers etc.

By the way ND filters are not used just to shorten the DOF. Most lenses have a sweet spot where they perform best (sharpness, abberations) and that is anywhere from F5.6 to F11.... whatever.

February 27th, 2011, 09:10 PM	#1
Patrick Janka Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 623	Light Craft 52mm Fader ND Mark II Filter, any thoughts? I'm looking to get an ND filter for when my Voigtlander 25mm shows up. Anyone have any experience with this one? Any other recommendations? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754992-REG/Light_Craft_415_52mm_Fader_ND_Mark.html

February 28th, 2011, 07:53 AM	#2
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Light Craft 52mm Fader ND Mark II Filter, any thoughts? Check out Genus brand also - they work well. But why get the 52mm? This will not fit most other lenses then you need 2 or 3 more ND faders. I use a 77mm ND and stop down rings to fit smaller lens sizes down to 52mm.

February 28th, 2011, 08:59 AM	#3
Patrick Janka Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 623	Re: Light Craft 52mm Fader ND Mark II Filter, any thoughts? That would make sense if I bought more lenses. Right now I have the stock 14-42mm. I don't plan on using ND on it because the lowest aperture setting is f/3.5, so it's not like I can really preserve a shallow depth of field on it. As far as the 25mm, its 35mm equivalent is 50mm. Then if I switch on the ETC mode that effectively gives me 130mm. Two great lenses/focal lengths for the price of one. I'm not sure what other lenses, if any I would want. If I get a wide angle lens I wouldn't be looking for shallow dof. The only 77-52 step down ring I found on B&H is this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664893-REG/Novoflex_REDUZIERRNG_52_77_77_52mm_Step_Down_Ring_for.html So the 52mm Lightcraft (or Genus) is $72, and the 77mm Genus + Step down is $135 + $58 = $193. Doesn't seem to make sense to go that route, unless I'm missing something. Thanks for bearing with me while I work this out.

February 28th, 2011, 01:47 PM	#4
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Light Craft 52mm Fader ND Mark II Filter, any thoughts? That is not a step down ring. You can pick up all sizes of step down and step up adapters from ebay for about $5 each. They are indespensable unless you want to buy a set of filters for each lens - not just ND, but UV, polarizers etc. By the way ND filters are not used just to shorten the DOF. Most lenses have a sweet spot where they perform best (sharpness, abberations) and that is anywhere from F5.6 to F11.... whatever.