Polarising Filter for Z7 at DVinfo.net

Jonathan Richards · June 2nd, 2009, 05:44 PM

Not sure if this has been covered at another time. I can't seem to find it.

Does anyone know if you can get a polarising filter for the standard lens that fits behind the usual lens hood?

Any pointers would be great.

Thanks everyone.

Zach Love · June 2nd, 2009, 11:33 PM

If it is about the same size as the UV filter, then you should be able to find something. If it is bigger than that, I'm guessing that you'll have to take off the lens hood.

Jonathan Richards · June 3rd, 2009, 01:30 AM

I'll look for a slim one then!

Is it 72mm?

Matt Bigwood · June 3rd, 2009, 02:21 AM

I was using a polarising filter yesterday, and certainly with mine it's impossible to use it with the lens hood on as the filter needs to be rotated to the correct position to get rid of reflections/polarise the blue sky.

My filter has a small lever on the edge to help rotate it and this would foul the lens hood if I tried to re-attach it with the polarising filter in place.

Jonathan Richards · June 3rd, 2009, 09:53 AM

I see.

Does anyone know if the Hoya Pro HD filter will fit?

Stuart McAlister · June 7th, 2009, 12:41 AM

The majority of popular SLR 72mm polarising filters will fit the Z7 ... and with the lens hood in position.

Jonathan Richards · June 7th, 2009, 02:17 AM

Really? - cool.

I need to take my camera down to a shop and try it I think.

Have you tried this yourself?

Matt Bigwood · June 7th, 2009, 09:59 AM

Even if the polarising filter didn't have a lever (like mine does) I think it would be difficult to operate it with the lens hood in place. The only way of doing it would be to rotate the filter to the correct position and then re-attach the lens hood.

Stuart McAlister · June 7th, 2009, 10:06 PM

Jonathan,

Yes, I use it regularly. A Cokin filter fits perfectly and the Z7 lens hood slips on quite normally.

John Knight · June 8th, 2009, 03:50 PM

Hi Jonathan,

I use the 72mm HOYA PRO1 Digital Circular PL filter for bright blue sky shots. Adds a real punch. I use it without the lens hood as I need to twiddle the outer ring to achieve the correct effect I'm after. The best way to guage this is aim at some clouds - twirl the ring around until the clouds 'pop' out from the background - ie maximum contrast to the sky.

Here's the filter
HOYA FILTERS - The Difference is Clear

Here's a few shots I did with Z7 and filter attached - specifically the cloud/mountain time lapse bits.
http://vimeo.com/2114456

I think the only shot without the PL filter was the waterfall at 01:40 - you can see how different the sky looks there. No post effects have been added to any footage - just straight out of the Z7.

Zach Love · June 9th, 2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Bigwood

Even if the polarising filter didn't have a lever (like mine does) I think it would be difficult to operate it with the lens hood in place. The only way of doing it would be to rotate the filter to the correct position and then re-attach the lens hood.

I think this is only the case with linear filters, if you get a circular filter then you don't need to rotate it.

I think it is a good idea to have one of each, but really depends on your needs. But if you do need to pop off the lens hood, it takes half a second to take off the hood, so I wouldn't see it as that much of a problem. The Z1's lens hood takes a few seconds longer, and I could see that getting annoying.

John Knight · June 9th, 2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach Love

I think this is only the case with linear filters, if you get a circular filter then you don't need to rotate it.

Ummmmm..... no.

You need circular for video or autofocus SLR's. You need to rotate the ring because it changes the amount of polerization the filter gives you.

Jonathan Richards · June 10th, 2009, 06:24 AM

It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka.

We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well.

I've been thinking for a long time of biting the bullet and buying a Matte Box. It seems unlikely that I'm going to be able to control a polarising filter with the hood on, so this might swing it.

What do you think?

Greg Laves · June 10th, 2009, 03:49 PM

I am going to get the Nikon circular polarizer for my Z7. Some of the reviews I read for the Hoya are not as good as the Nikon reviews. The retail price is similar but I think you can get Hoyas discounted more readily. The Nikon is very slim and will not vignette. The last time I shot with a circular polarizer it was on my V1. I set the orientation of the polarizer one time and never adjusted it again and I still got terrific results.

Rob Morse · June 12th, 2009, 08:54 PM

[QUOTE=Jonathan Richards;1156605]It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka.

We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well.QUOTE]

This is a little OT but have you tried shooting the camera in those conditions before? I saw a video somewhere where the guy was shooting out of a helicopter and the jello effect on the footage was insane.

June 2nd, 2009, 05:44 PM	#1
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	Polarising Filter for Z7 Not sure if this has been covered at another time. I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know if you can get a polarising filter for the standard lens that fits behind the usual lens hood? Any pointers would be great. Thanks everyone. __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 2nd, 2009, 11:33 PM	#2
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	If it is about the same size as the UV filter, then you should be able to find something. If it is bigger than that, I'm guessing that you'll have to take off the lens hood. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

June 3rd, 2009, 01:30 AM	#3
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	I'll look for a slim one then! Is it 72mm? __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 3rd, 2009, 09:53 AM	#5
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	I see. Does anyone know if the Hoya Pro HD filter will fit? __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 7th, 2009, 02:17 AM	#7
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	Really? - cool. I need to take my camera down to a shop and try it I think. Have you tried this yourself? __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 3rd, 2009, 02:21 AM	#4
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	I was using a polarising filter yesterday, and certainly with mine it's impossible to use it with the lens hood on as the filter needs to be rotated to the correct position to get rid of reflections/polarise the blue sky. My filter has a small lever on the edge to help rotate it and this would foul the lens hood if I tried to re-attach it with the polarising filter in place.

June 7th, 2009, 12:41 AM	#6
Stuart McAlister Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris Posts: 71	The majority of popular SLR 72mm polarising filters will fit the Z7 ... and with the lens hood in position.

June 7th, 2009, 09:59 AM	#8
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Even if the polarising filter didn't have a lever (like mine does) I think it would be difficult to operate it with the lens hood in place. The only way of doing it would be to rotate the filter to the correct position and then re-attach the lens hood.

June 7th, 2009, 10:06 PM	#9
Stuart McAlister Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris Posts: 71	Jonathan, Yes, I use it regularly. A Cokin filter fits perfectly and the Z7 lens hood slips on quite normally.

June 8th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#10
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	Hi Jonathan, I use the 72mm HOYA PRO1 Digital Circular PL filter for bright blue sky shots. Adds a real punch. I use it without the lens hood as I need to twiddle the outer ring to achieve the correct effect I'm after. The best way to guage this is aim at some clouds - twirl the ring around until the clouds 'pop' out from the background - ie maximum contrast to the sky. Here's the filter HOYA FILTERS - The Difference is Clear Here's a few shots I did with Z7 and filter attached - specifically the cloud/mountain time lapse bits. http://vimeo.com/2114456 I think the only shot without the PL filter was the waterfall at 01:40 - you can see how different the sky looks there. No post effects have been added to any footage - just straight out of the Z7.

June 10th, 2009, 06:24 AM	#13
Jonathan Richards Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hull, UK Posts: 107	It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka. We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well. I've been thinking for a long time of biting the bullet and buying a Matte Box. It seems unlikely that I'm going to be able to control a polarising filter with the hood on, so this might swing it. What do you think? __________________ Jonathan Richards -- Cameraman, Editor, Motion Graphic Artist Mobile +44(0)7939 512215 mail@jonathanrichards.tv

June 10th, 2009, 03:49 PM	#14
Greg Laves Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 640	I am going to get the Nikon circular polarizer for my Z7. Some of the reviews I read for the Hoya are not as good as the Nikon reviews. The retail price is similar but I think you can get Hoyas discounted more readily. The Nikon is very slim and will not vignette. The last time I shot with a circular polarizer it was on my V1. I set the orientation of the polarizer one time and never adjusted it again and I still got terrific results.

June 12th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#15
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	[QUOTE=Jonathan Richards;1156605]It's a tricky one this as I need the polarising filter for a trip in a couple of weeks to Sri Lanka. We'll be getting around by helicopter and filming from the heli as well.QUOTE] This is a little OT but have you tried shooting the camera in those conditions before? I saw a video somewhere where the guy was shooting out of a helicopter and the jello effect on the footage was insane.