Does it make any difference if put a polarisation filter in front or behind a ND filter?

(No vari-ND, just a play ND filter.)

Any recommendations for (cheap) 4x4 polarisers? I'm thinking of buying 2 and using them like a fader ND: its easier than having carrying around multiple ND filters and quicker to change, plus you always have a polariser with you if you need it.

I already have a couple of 77mm (threaded) polarisers; might see if I can make a mount to hold them in a 4x4 slot.

@robbie75vr: The reason those amount of ND stops are popular are two-folded:
1. You don't shoot that wide-open. Up until the rise in DSLR filmmaking, most people did not want to shoot that wide-open (and in professional filmmaking don't). Most Hollywood films are shot at around T4-5.6 and low-bugdets around T2.8. This gives you much sharper picture and some depth-of-field (1.4 allows very little movement). Shooting that wide-open is crazy IMO. Stills photographers doesn't need that much ND too, as they will have a higher shutter.

2. The main issue though is IR filtration. Beyond three stops of ND filtration, you get problems with the infrared spectrum. This causes major color shifts in the picture, which is very bad. Then you need to use an IR filter. They are rather expensive (but they exists, there are also ND/IR filters combo).

My tip is to just stop down some (if it's above T8 it'll be fine). Shooting at 1.4 is a bad idea in the long run anyway.

Exactly.

I understand. Is it the softness or the short DoF you like with it?

@Gabel
Yes in some cases I want 1.4 for the shallow dof more than a light factor...

@bubba
thanks for the suggestion

@John_Farragut
Yep!
'Fraid so...
Faders are not really ND filters in the classic sense. However, Most of the time they work OK.
If yur committed to them, you just have to get used to the limitations.
I'm not paid by Tiffen, but the INDIE series is the best overall sollution.

Designed by a DSL photog and well know HDSLR DP: Shane Hurlbut, ASC
Sold out everywhere, however.

Marumi is good.
But you must be sure that this is real thing, and not some Chinese stuff rebaged by sellers request.

Has anyone tried the Marumi fader from ebay? I would be interested in any experiences, thanks :)

@Gabel

Gabel, about the ND with IR filter combined that you said before, I saw some ND filter with combined color correction, this one for example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/54873-REG/Tiffen_4481EFN6_4_x_4_Combination.html , is this what you were talking about or maybe you have some link to suggest.. ?

I'm placing an order today or tomorrow, they have few brands, Formatt - Lee - Schneider - Tiffen , which is the best one in your opinion ?

About gradual ND for compensating the brighter sky, if I have to buy just one, do you think a 0,6 grad ND is a good choice as first gradual filter ?

Thanks guys.

@Gabel

yes but pola with wide angles is not very good (you see darker at north brighter at margins..) , also it works well just when you keep the sun at your six and only in some time of the day, and it doesn't work when it's cloudy (my favorite weather for filming..).

I'm trying to decide between 1,5mm think (for cokin holders) or 4mm for a mattebox that I should buy eventually..

As photographer I always worked with P and Z Holder with my Hasselblads and Nikons with no problems, I don't know in outdoor documentary videos how useful a mattebox can be compared to a simple and easily transportable Cokin filter holder... what do you think ?

Thanks

Hey guys,

Some good tech info on a bunch of vari nd's and ordering details here:

http://www.2filter.com/variablendfaderfilters.html

The Heliopan of course seems to be out of stock. They provide pretty good service here and reply to emails pretty fast in my experience. Also keep an eye out on the Schneider Variable True-Match Vari-ND filter 77mm seems also to claim no color shift.

Cheers

For me, I am still waiting for a test of the Marumi vari-nd because it could be the answer to a high quality low cost variable density filter because of the brand quality.