Polarizer for the FX1 at DVinfo.net

Rafael Lopes · June 29th, 2006, 06:32 AM

Hi,

I want to buy a nice polarizer for my FX1 and I really don't know which one to choose. I looked around here and read many very subjective opinions about multi-coated, circular, etc. I've read somewhere that if I use a wide angle over it or if I zoom in all the way the camera might film the filters' interior...something I really don't want to happen. I've seen some Hoyas and Tiffens but there's so many variations I don't really know what to do. The main reason I want it is to obtain that nice contrast/saturated look. Any advice is welcome.

cheers,

Rafa

Giroud Francois · June 29th, 2006, 08:50 AM

i took the Hoya pro digital circular polarizer for several reason.
1) it is multicoated , so less loss of light and better picture.
2) it is thinner than regular ones (1mm glass versus 2 or 3 mm glass)
3) it is threaded on both sides, so you can screw another filter on it.
3) the body is low profile, so it fits inside the original sunshade box of the FX1. I modified the plastic sunshade to add a wheel that let me turn the filter.
4) it is among the best filter for all reason above and you can still find it for cheap (i purchased mine from China on ebay for 90$, while regular shop are displaying prices as high as 240$)

Rafael Lopes · June 29th, 2006, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the help. All the points you mentioned make really a lot of sense.

Is it any of these?:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Giroud Francois · June 29th, 2006, 11:01 AM

i think it is none of these model.
the first one listed at B&H looks pretty the same except they specify there is no front thread, while mine got one.
i think at b&h it is this one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=306010
it is the Hoya 72mm 72 Super PRO1 Circular .
Where i buy it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7605705533
and it is 100$ less than b&h.

about a week for delivery.

Rafael Lopes · June 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Thanks a bunch Giroud. How is the filter working for you? Do you have any online footage I could maybe see? Is this ebay filter trust worthy? A hundred bucks cheaper makes me kind of supecious.

Giroud Francois · June 29th, 2006, 11:59 AM

i was like you , but at this price, took the risk (expecting some cheap copy)
The packaging looks like a real one and the quality of the aluminium frame and glass does not look cheap at all.
All markings are good and original.
for the sample, i am afraid that except posting a huge file, you would see nothing interesting with a compressed wmv file for the web (and there is no photo mode on this camera)
By this sunny summer time, there is no risk to take is to shoot outside.
if you shoot in dark rooms (church or restaurant at night) , you should take care about the 1.3 loss with sensibility.
I shoot a children performance (about 100 of them with some dark scene) and totally forget it was on (hidden into the sunshade).
Since there was several other camera (including my old VX2000) , i can say that except for very dark scene, it was ok even with the filter.
On the other hand, you can consider the filter acting a bit like a ND filter, so it gives you better DOF effect.

Rafael Lopes · June 30th, 2006, 02:56 AM

Thanks. I just ordered one!

Ainslie Davies · June 30th, 2006, 05:57 PM

I think Hoya puts a huge premium on their stuff. I bought a 3 filter kit on ebay for about US$25, that includes a Polarizer with all the features of the Hoya (double thread, fits under lens hood etc). I can't comment on the quality difference of the two, but I have been really happy with mine!

Carlos E. Martinez · July 1st, 2006, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ainslie Davies

I think Hoya puts a huge premium on their stuff. I bought a 3 filter kit on ebay for about US$25, that includes a Polarizer with all the features of the Hoya (double thread, fits under lens hood etc). I can't comment on the quality difference of the two, but I have been really happy with mine!

The problem with certain filters, like polarizers or NDs, are color aberrations and distortions. IMO, higher priced filters are usually a bit better in that area.

Rafael Lopes · July 1st, 2006, 06:38 AM

Tarde demais, Carlos. Agora já comprei ;-)

Carlos E. Martinez · July 1st, 2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

Tarde demais, Carlos. Agora já comprei ;-)

Hablo español y portugués. No hablo catalán ;-).

I meant to comment on Ainslie's purchase. Large filters tend to be expensive, and when you pay less there's always some sacrifice. Like pure coating or glass which is not the same all over, or things like that.

A thin filter like that Hoya you bought seems to be nice.

Rafael Lopes · July 2nd, 2006, 03:07 AM

I'll try to post some HD footage when I get it.

Também não falo catalan...sou do Jardim Botânico.

Carlos E. Martinez · July 2nd, 2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael Lopes

I'll try to post some HD footage when I get it.

Também não falo catalan...sou do Jardim Botânico.

Você pode me contactar?

carlmart#centroin.com.br

Rafael Lopes · July 13th, 2006, 10:47 AM

Giroud, I just received my the polarizer. It is amazing. You can select the intensity and everything. Today it's pretty clowdy so I won't be able to fully apreciate it's effect but as soon as it's sunny and I have some free time I'm going to test this baby. Thanks for the awesome tip!

Giroud Francois · July 13th, 2006, 04:20 PM

cloudy sky get a great improvement from polarizer.
now you get the filter , you need to go with the FX1 sunshade modification, in order to keep it on camera and still able to rotate it easily.
see:
http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola1.jpg
http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola2.jpg
http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola3.jpg

not very nice, but efficient, i can roll the wheel and by friction it rotate
the filter, so you can adjust it just with your thumb.

you just need to drill a serie of small holes (about 2mm of diameter) then join them
to create a slot. Find a plastic or metal wheel (mine was stripped off from a small tape player and added plastic around for better grip on the filter ).
keep the axis a bit loose, so you can pop on and off the sunshade easily, the pressure of the finger will do the rest.

June 29th, 2006, 06:32 AM	#1
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Polarizer for the FX1 Hi, I want to buy a nice polarizer for my FX1 and I really don't know which one to choose. I looked around here and read many very subjective opinions about multi-coated, circular, etc. I've read somewhere that if I use a wide angle over it or if I zoom in all the way the camera might film the filters' interior...something I really don't want to happen. I've seen some Hoyas and Tiffens but there's so many variations I don't really know what to do. The main reason I want it is to obtain that nice contrast/saturated look. Any advice is welcome. cheers, Rafa

June 29th, 2006, 11:59 AM	#6
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	i was like you , but at this price, took the risk (expecting some cheap copy) The packaging looks like a real one and the quality of the aluminium frame and glass does not look cheap at all. All markings are good and original. for the sample, i am afraid that except posting a huge file, you would see nothing interesting with a compressed wmv file for the web (and there is no photo mode on this camera) By this sunny summer time, there is no risk to take is to shoot outside. if you shoot in dark rooms (church or restaurant at night) , you should take care about the 1.3 loss with sensibility. I shoot a children performance (about 100 of them with some dark scene) and totally forget it was on (hidden into the sunshade). Since there was several other camera (including my old VX2000) , i can say that except for very dark scene, it was ok even with the filter. On the other hand, you can consider the filter acting a bit like a ND filter, so it gives you better DOF effect. Last edited by Giroud Francois; June 29th, 2006 at 12:34 PM.

June 30th, 2006, 05:57 PM	#8
Ainslie Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 117	I think Hoya puts a huge premium on their stuff. I bought a 3 filter kit on ebay for about US$25, that includes a Polarizer with all the features of the Hoya (double thread, fits under lens hood etc). I can't comment on the quality difference of the two, but I have been really happy with mine! __________________ Ainslie Davies - www.dualityproductions.com

June 29th, 2006, 08:50 AM	#2
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	i took the Hoya pro digital circular polarizer for several reason. 1) it is multicoated , so less loss of light and better picture. 2) it is thinner than regular ones (1mm glass versus 2 or 3 mm glass) 3) it is threaded on both sides, so you can screw another filter on it. 3) the body is low profile, so it fits inside the original sunshade box of the FX1. I modified the plastic sunshade to add a wheel that let me turn the filter. 4) it is among the best filter for all reason above and you can still find it for cheap (i purchased mine from China on ebay for 90$, while regular shop are displaying prices as high as 240$)

June 29th, 2006, 09:04 AM	#3
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Thanks for the help. All the points you mentioned make really a lot of sense. Is it any of these?: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

June 29th, 2006, 11:01 AM	#4
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	i think it is none of these model. the first one listed at B&H looks pretty the same except they specify there is no front thread, while mine got one. i think at b&h it is this one. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=306010 it is the Hoya 72mm 72 Super PRO1 Circular . Where i buy it http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7605705533 and it is 100$ less than b&h. about a week for delivery.

June 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM	#5
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Thanks a bunch Giroud. How is the filter working for you? Do you have any online footage I could maybe see? Is this ebay filter trust worthy? A hundred bucks cheaper makes me kind of supecious.

June 30th, 2006, 02:56 AM	#7
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Thanks. I just ordered one!

July 1st, 2006, 06:38 AM	#10
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Tarde demais, Carlos. Agora já comprei ;-)

July 2nd, 2006, 03:07 AM	#12
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	I'll try to post some HD footage when I get it. Também não falo catalan...sou do Jardim Botânico.

July 13th, 2006, 10:47 AM	#14
Rafael Lopes Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 1,240	Giroud, I just received my the polarizer. It is amazing. You can select the intensity and everything. Today it's pretty clowdy so I won't be able to fully apreciate it's effect but as soon as it's sunny and I have some free time I'm going to test this baby. Thanks for the awesome tip!

July 13th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#15
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	cloudy sky get a great improvement from polarizer. now you get the filter , you need to go with the FX1 sunshade modification, in order to keep it on camera and still able to rotate it easily. see: http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola1.jpg http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola2.jpg http://www.giroud2.com/divers/pola3.jpg not very nice, but efficient, i can roll the wheel and by friction it rotate the filter, so you can adjust it just with your thumb. you just need to drill a serie of small holes (about 2mm of diameter) then join them to create a slot. Find a plastic or metal wheel (mine was stripped off from a small tape player and added plastic around for better grip on the filter ). keep the axis a bit loose, so you can pop on and off the sunshade easily, the pressure of the finger will do the rest.