p.1 #2 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
Kinda depends on what shutter speeds you want to use, along with your f/1.4 or f/1.2 ... as well as what ISO film.
Assuming Sunny 16 at EV 15, that's ISO 100 at 1/100, f/16. If you're moving to f/1.4 you're moving 7 stops. 5 stops in shutter speed would be 1/3200. That leaves you +2 stops exposure. If you're shooting ISO 50, that's a stop slower, so you're basically off by one stop, and a circular polarizer can cut the stop by that much.
So, how many stops you need is gonna depend on what ISO / shutter speeds you need to go along with your fast aperture. Knowing that ... will influence recommendations for whether you should be looking at 3 / 6 / 9 stops ND.
p.1 #4 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
RustyBug wrote:
Kinda depends on what shutter speeds you want to use, along with your f/1.4 or f/1.2 ... as well as what ISO film.
Assuming Sunny 16 at EV 15, that's ISO 100 at 1/100, f/16. If you're moving to f/1.4 you're moving 7 stops. 5 stops in shutter speed would be 1/3200. That leaves you +2 stops exposure. If you're shooting ISO 50, that's a stop slower, so you're basically off by one stop, and a circular polarizer can cut the stop by that much.
So, how many stops you need is gonna depend on what ISO / shutter speeds you need to go along with your fast aperture. Knowing that ... will influence recommendations for whether you should be looking at 3 / 6 / 9 stops ND.
...Show more →
Wow, I must be getting tired. Right now I’m looking at ISO 100 film and 35mm f/1.2 and 50mm f/1.4. I was thinking that 4 stops should put me around 1/800-1/1000 @ f/1.4-f/1.2. I might try Leica Monopan 50 and that would put me somewhere around 1/400. ISO 100 and open shade should be 1/100-1/200 with 4 stops of ND. I looked at variable ND filters, but these seem to introduced the possibility of more distortion.
p.1 #5 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
bwcolor wrote:
Wow, I must be getting tired. Right now I’m looking at ISO 100 film and 35mm f/1.2 and 50mm f/1.4. I was thinking that 4 stops should put me around 1/800-1/1000 @ f/1.4-f/1.2. I might try Leica Monopan 50 and that would put me somewhere around 1/400. ISO 100 and open shade should be 1/100-1/200 with 4 stops of ND. I looked at variable ND filters, but these seem to introduced the possibility of more distortion.
The issues with variable NDs happen at wider focal lengths. You'll be good to go with a 35 or 50. No issues. I use those focal lengths regularly with a VND and it's no problem.
p.1 #6 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
_jim_ wrote:
The issues with variable NDs happen at wider focal lengths. You'll be good to go with a 35 or 50. No issues. I use those focal lengths regularly with a VND and it's no problem.
Jim:
Who makes the better variable ND filters? I noticed that many of the manufacturers that claim to make quality filters have a very limited range of sizes. I’ll need 46mm and 52mm.
p.1 #8 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
Imo just get a 3-stop filter. Or 2-stop if you don’t insist on taking wide open shots in the sun in the middle of the day..
Just did some meter readings outside - it’s a sunny day but the sun is not at its peak yet (2-3 hours after sunrise):
With ISO 100 film at f/1.4 + 3 stops of ND my meter says about 1/1000 in the sun and 1/60 in the shade.
For late afternoon / golden hour the 2-stop filter would be sufficient and you get a bit more flexibility in the shade or backlit scenarios.
p.1 #10 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
Many vario ND filters have a problem - they cannot be fitted with a standard cap on the outside of the filter. So you will always have to remove the filter before putting the camera in the bag.
For photography, I got the Hoya Pro ND8 - a 3-stop neutral density filter. But for video shooting, the best option is the vario ND filter.
p.1 #11 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
As for VND filters I always error on the side of known quality. Since years ago Leica had Heliopan make a limited number of VND in 46mm and 60mm, those are the ones I now concentrate on getting whenever I need a new size. Not inexpensive, but like I say they are a well known quantity with quality.
p.1 #12 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
I have a couple of K&F Concept variable NDs. One in 49mm and one in 62mm. They are plenty high-quality. Yes, the downsides are that you won't be able to use the native hood to your lens and that the front thread is larger, so you won't be able to use your lens's cap.
The upshots are that you can use a variety of films and shoot in a variety of daylight lighting conditions without needing to change filters...at as wide of an aperture as you like. For example, you can shoot at f/1 in full sun without issue...and then, if the lighting changes, you can just open up the filter (without needing to remove it):
Wheat by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M7, Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton VM, Flic Film Aurora 800.
Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M5, Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton VM, Ilford HP5+, Xtol 1:1.
Canola by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M7, Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton VM, Walgreen's branded AGFA Vista 400 (expired 2003).
Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M5, Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton VM, Ilford FP4+, Xtol 1:1
Perrydale, OR by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M5, Voigtlander 50mm f/1 Nokton VM, Kodak Ektar 100.
In my opinion, I wouldn't worry about needing to get the Leica branded ND (it's your money, so do as you like). The degree to which your lens/camera are in-spec, your visual acuity and abiltity to shoot wide-open and nail focus (which excludes the movement of your subjects...which is critical, as well), and, of course, the quality of film development/scanning will all make far bigger impacts than the brand of filter on the front of your camera in 2025.
p.1 #14 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
Listopad44 wrote:
Many vario ND filters have a problem - they cannot be fitted with a standard cap on the outside of the filter. So you will always have to remove the filter before putting the camera in the bag.
For photography, I got the Hoya Pro ND8 - a 3-stop neutral density filter. But for video shooting, the best option is the vario ND filter.
I am with you one lack of push on caps. My solution is to pack with a soft cloth in the bag.
p.1 #15 · What Density Neutral Density Filter for f/1.2 - f/1.4 Film M Cameras
3 stops works well for 1.4 lens, non variable also means you don’t have to depend on ttl metering, it bright sun that is technically f/2 at 1000, but 1/125 vs the actual 1/100, you can just use 1.4 as a little over exposed is fine with film, also the actual t stop of lenses it not really 1.4 so I think it’s a wash, I shot 1/1000 at 1.4 with 3 stop works well. That lets about 1/125 to 1/60 as been mentioned in full shade, iso 400 film works well with a 6 stop ND
