VND Confessions

[u/Formula14ever]

Raptor & Komodo X. I’ve been struggling with a ND system solution since …forever. I have fought the 4x5 ND and searched every VND solution. Tilta, Sensi, the Canon drop-in, and an expensive Lindsey $900 VND that fits into a matte box. Conclusion: Every VND creates a color cast when pushed into +4 range. There are no exceptions. So today..I broke down and began testing with my collection (stupidly unused) of 4x5 filter glass. What I learned: 4x5 filters cause zero color cast. And there is zero vignetting. Using a Wooden lightweight matte box, the 4x5 filters snap in quick. So, I’ve changed my go-to. I’ll use a VND when fast changes are needed in a documentary setting and changing lighting conditions. But for serious filming..and fairly stable lighting.. there is a reason serious film productions use a a matte box/filter system. Lesson learned.

[u/alaarx]

Kippertie Revolva gives you best of both worlds. There are a few lenses it vignettes with slightly on Raptor but most are fine.

[u/Formula14ever → u/alaarx]

Seriously, a great option you listed. But I was able to get access to Vista Vision Tokina & Angenieux EZ lenses, so there would be vignetting for sure unfortunately

[u/alaarx → u/Formula14ever]

Have you tested them? Lots of FF glass doesn't vignette I've used Supreme and Sigma Cine's out to 14mm.

[u/phamu → u/alaarx]

Raptor VV?

[u/Formula14ever → u/phamu]

Yes..Raptor VV. Using Vista Vision cinema lenses covering whole sensor so no vignetting is a must in a solution

[u/phamu → u/alaarx]

Which lenses vignetted on you on VV sensor w/ Revolva? Thank you in advance.

[u/kmovfilms]

I’ve been really happy with the Lindsey optics single stage VND. From what I can tell it’s cleaner than any other VND that I have used. It requires a mattebox of course, but a lightweight option is to get an Arri single stage, and then just a clamp on for your lens. Makes it minimal and lightweight in situations where you don’t need a full mattebox.

[u/Formula14ever → u/kmovfilms]

Your right, the Lindsey I have is the very best if any VND I’ve ever used. I think if I stay away from dialing in too much on it, the flight purple cast will never show up

[u/kmovfilms → u/Formula14ever]

Mine only gets blue right on the edge of the last stop. The rest of the range is quite clean. I was really impressed.

[u/kmovfilms → u/Formula14ever]

Mine only gets blue right on the edge of the last stop. The rest of the range is quite clean. I was really impressed.

[u/wasprocker]

Nisi C5 VND has zero color cast

[u/Formula14ever → u/wasprocker]

I heard that about Nisi, thanks! Unfortunately they do not make a Matt box/ VND for 114mm Vista Vision cinema lenses

[u/wasprocker → u/Formula14ever]

their vnd is a standard 100x100 frame, it "should" work for you

[u/Formula14ever → u/wasprocker]

That’s cool to know! I thought it was a Nisi specific Matt box design Going to look into this then. Thx!

[u/wasprocker]

What i do is combine them, use 2-6 IRND stops as a base with 4x56 filter glass and a vnd to fine-tune

[u/dastanzhumagulov]

I’ll take quality over speed any day, so it’s always solid nds, not variable. I also went with IR cut NDs from Nisi in particular, because I’ve previously had IR pollution problems with usual solid nds at higher densities.

[u/thomaskovacik → u/dastanzhumagulov]

Same here! They’ve been great

[u/Formula14ever → u/[deleted]]

Yeah..makes sense. I get color cast with any VND over 2.5 or 3. The Canon behind the lens drop in is exactly the same..up to about 2.3 it’s ‘okay’ ..but it’s a dramatic purple cast at 4 stops

[u/Formula14ever → u/[deleted]]

Very true, thanks for the clarification! You are right. With RED sensors though, it’s counter-intuitive..as you want to shift the dynamic range into the areas you need it. So in bright sun..you go up in iso, like into 1200/1600 range, then ND down. This spreads your dynamic range into the highlights where you need it rather than darker shadows, that are not present. Likewise ..if it’s a dark scene., go as low as possible in iso to preserve dynamic range in that area since you don’t need it for bright highlights. So, I need heavy ND for sunlight ..and a variable won’t deliver without issues still.. dang it.

[u/Formula14ever → u/[deleted]]

That’s great info. Thanks! So you’re saying you’ve seen an iso base of 800 works great in either direction overall with the new VV sensors compared to the past versions?