Author Topic: Panasonic 20mm f1.7 filters, not really sure what I'm looking for? (Read 2503 times)

sirlylos · « **on:** January 01, 2011, 01:50:07 PM »

So I'm loving the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens but I'd really like to get some decent filters for it. I really don't know much about them and what they should be used for exactly but I want to do be able to introduce slow exposure on daytime shots, so I can capture things like running water or seaside shots.

Has anyone got any filters for theirs or any pointers?

voyager · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2011, 02:21:18 PM »

You're looking for a multiple stop ND filter. Generally people get the 10 stop one.

popo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2011, 05:35:37 PM »

It depends a bit on how long and at what aperture. You can already reduce the light intake by using smaller aperture, but if you need shallow DoF at the same time, then stronger ND filters may be needed. High quality ones (heliopan or B+W) can be quite expensive though, but if you're just occasionally experimenting the unbranded medium strength ones off ebay are very affordable, and you might risk stacking 2 of them if needed.

sirlylos · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2011, 12:04:38 PM »

Thanks for the responses chaps. I think I'm going to go with something like this:
Amazon Zeikos filter

sirlylos · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2011, 08:20:17 AM »

I've got the filters as mentioned above but I've just been out to try and snap a long exposure, low ISO shot and got this (shot at f/16 ISO - 100). The water isn't how I'd like it, I want it to be more foamy but it just looks blurry - would a filter cure this?

Details

Thanks,

Sirlylos

lisandra · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2011, 08:33:00 AM »

I dont know about foamy but heres what the ND will get you in terms of water. first one is 30 seconds and second one is 60 (I think) but for what you want I think 6-10 seconds is enough.

Details

It's basically a dark piece of glass that will allow you to set your shutter speed to seconds long exposures. a tripod (or something steady, I never seem to have mine when I need it) is a must.

sirlylos · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:22:12 AM »

That is exactly what I'm after lisandra. Without sounding like a complete amateur, how do you choose how long you want the exposure to be? I though that was controlled via the aperture, the f16 in my case?

I did take a tripod for my shot today but as you say, the ND filter will do the business I think.

lisandra · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2011, 03:29:19 PM »

First off, being an ameteur is not a bad thing, we were all there.
In A mode set the ISO manually to its lowest, if its dark enough you might not need that ND filter. Once the ISO is set start raising the f number and paying attention to what happens to your shutter speed number. As you raise that number shutter speed times are gonna start to go down (slower). Anything with " after the number is referring to seconds (Im assuming you dont know so I dont miss anything) and there is where you want to be. If you can get 10 seconds at f5.6 then leave it at that if you want more seconds then raise that f number. In M mode you can set the f number and the shutter speed manually (one doesnt automatically change the other) and the meter in te center tells you whether you're under/over or correctly exposed. You also ha e to set the ISO manually.
One mistake some people make in A mode is leave the auto ISO on, so even when they use high f numbers the camera tries to compensate by using a higher ISO number and shutter speeds never get that long (slow).
That said, try without that ND first and then determine whether or not you need it.

sirlylos · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:52:14 AM »

Got it Lisandra, really good advice there and I'll put it in to practice when I next get chance (back to work today

, I was enjoying the time off over Christmas to play with my E-P1!)

Panasonic 20mm f1.7 filters, not really sure what I'm looking for?