Polaroid Fader ND v.s. Light Craft workshop Fader ND Mark II - DSLR FILM NOOB

http://www.dslrfilmnoob.com/2011/09/03/polaroid-fader-v-s-light-craft-worksho... Fader ND filters are very handy when shooting in direct sunlight. The prices for fader ND filters also cover a wide range from this polaroid filter ($40) on the low end to the Singh-Ray ($350) filters on the higher end.

The Light Craft workshop used in this video falls somewhere in the middle, at a price of $125 it is considered by many to be a very good mid range ND filter. But is it really worth it to spend an extra $85 on the Light Craft filter? Or will you be just as happy using a cheaper Fader ND filter? Watch the clips and decide for your self.

The difference wasn't nearly as dramatic as I would have expected in video mode. If you're a professional with professional budget you'll probably still want to spend the money and get the best, but if you're on a tight budget, I could see many people being very happy with the performance that the lower end Polaroid filter has to offer.

You can pick up the polaroid Fader ND for around $40 depending on your filter size: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&x=0&ref_=nb_sb_noss&y=0&field...

And the LightCraft Fader ND for around $80 to $125 depending on your filter size: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=a9_sc_1&keywor...

The song playing in the back ground is written and recorded by me and is called "the Blob". If you're not a fan of the music just use the mute button. If you do like the song, you can download it from the DSLRFILMNOOB.com website.

Equipment used in this video:
Canon T2i
Canon 7d
Canon 35mm f1.4 lens
Canon 50mm f1.2 lens
Polaroid Fader ND filter
Light Craft workshop fader ND mark II filter
Sennheiser g2 wireless mic

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• camera
• dslr filming
• dslr film noob
• Deejay
• Polaroid
• LightCraft
• Canon
• Fader ND
• variable ND
• Neutral density filter
• Film making

[joker4ever02]

I would have liked to see a shot with out any filter to compare with the filters.

[onelonedork]

@joker4ever02 I filmed shots with no filters, but the 50mm f1.2 only stops down to f16 so most of the shots are over exposed by a few stops. If there is enough interest in seeing those clips side by side with these clips I can easily post a follow up video.

[lightwavepro]

Love your stuff man, but I found out that if the CC is on its transcribes when you say DSLR film noob . com as Idiots are Filming dot com...lol I thought that was great

[onelonedork]

@lightwavepro I just watched it with the CC on. That was great!

[ericdb1]

Thanks for this. Answers the exact question I've been wondering. For me, it's worth the extra $ to preserve every bit of sharpness and color after spending money to upgrade my lens package. Very nice to see these side by side to confirm that the Polaroid doesn't hold up quite as well. Well done.

[THERIGHTMOVIE]

Hi, i think to buy the hoya nd8 and nd3. Do you think light craft is better than these?

[DoCWaSaBe]

thanks for the vid, went with the polariod, wasnt bad at all!

[TheMugfaker]

I picked up the Polaroid but I am returning it. At first I thought it was great, but after editing my footage I found it looked very, very soft. Such a shame but maybe it was just a 'bad' one.

[vyruzdatabass]

great review



[XatruchJ8]

Noob Saibot...

[cheema33]

@lightwavepro Best laugh I had all day.

[hotgypsylips]

What's the point in expending thousands in a lens like 50mm 1,2 and stick an nd variable filter, sorry but it's a bit stupid to do so, obiously you need filters but proper ND filters like hoys, they won't give any shoftness or color cast, yes you need a few of them and a bit of work changing them but as I said, it's silly to spend $1500 in a lens for their sharpness and then stick one of thouse variable filters.

[Jcbproducoes]

the lightcraft is much sharper and enhances the colors and tones a lot more than the polaroid, is it wort the price? I don´t think so, the polaroid is AMAZING for the price and the lightcraft is better but not worth the cost, i would definitely go with the polaroid.

[eisontv2]

hei, as evrybodi else am using the 50mm 1,8 and also the standard kit lens, i also have the tokina 10mm fisheye, what type of rings do i need to get, so that the polaroid filter works on all of them ? i was thinking about going for the 55mm fader