Author Topic: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS  (Read 3865 times)

jhinkey

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ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« on: March 26, 2016, 16:08:15 »
I have just taken possession of a 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS (new version)  and 500/4P and have already been in need of a ND filter for some of my long exposure landscape shots.

Is it as easy as replacing the clear filter that comes with these lenses with a 39mm ND filter?

Yes, you probably think I'm crazy needing to have LESS light using a telephoto, but sometimes that's what's needed for what I shoot:

 

Thanks -

John
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bjornthun

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2016, 16:35:31 »
Yes, and you may even be able to still find Nikon 39mm ND filters made specifically for that purpose. If not, 39mm is a common thread for Leica RF as well as Cosina made Voigtländer RF lenses.

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2016, 16:43:49 »
A CPL-1S polariser will give 1.3 stop or more.

Be aware that the filter holder for these lenses does not accept ordinary 39mm filters, as their rim is too thick. A low-profile filter might work, but still there is a danger of it being jammed in the filter slot on the lens. Perhaps a quick workout with a Dremel can solve the problem?

jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2016, 16:50:27 »
A CPL-1S polariser will give 1.3 stop or more.

Thanks Bjorn.
Yep, and I have one (maybe two CPL-1Ss) on the way.  Currently on my small diameter lenses sometimes I use both a CPL and ND filter either when I need more light reduction and/or I want light reduction and de-polarization.  Up until now my 77mm filter set + step down rings have worked well, but now a 39mm 3 stop filter seems to be in order.

Got the 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS out for the first time last night and took a bunch of long distance landscape shots (which seems to be my specialty) and it performed quite well.  Images here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/929565/5510#lastmessage
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2016, 16:52:36 »
Here's my impressions of the 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS (new) thus far:

Flare/ghosting:  Excellent.  Made a couple of shots aimed right at or just off to the sides of the setting sun and it didn't seem to have any problems.  Much better than my 400/5.6 ED AI or 300/4.5 ED AI

Sharpness:  Very very good.  I shot mostly wide open and did not notice any obvious sharpness fall-off out to the edges, which is very important for me.  Wide open it appears to be sharp enough for the D800, BUT you have to focus extremely carefully as just a very slight movement of the focus ring makes a huge difference, especially for CA.  I should have expected this, but there is a difference in optimal focus position for a 2 mile subject and a 10 mile subject!!!!

CA:  Well, it's an old ED Nikkor. At very high contrast areas there is some PF that cleans up pretty well in PS and there is the usual red/green CA if not focused just right, but it's very well controlled for the most part.

Contrast:  I would say it was very good.  Not quite up to my 400/5.6 ED-AI or 135/3.4 Telyt or 180/4 APO Voigt, but it's pretty good.  Obviously even on a perfect day atmospherics take its toll on contrast, but it seemed to do well.

Handling:  Well, it's a 3KG tele that's weighted towards the front, so deal with it. Put into a backpack of sufficient size it's not a problem.
 - On my copy the focus ring is way too under-damped (typical of older MF IF lenses in my experience) - needs to be re-lubed with some thicker grease for sure and the aperture ring needs a re-lube due to being too tight (typical of many older MF lenses!).  Focus ring goes way past infinity as most ED lenses do, but this one goes way way past infinity.
 - Love the combination of the short detachable hood and the short built-in hood.  This allows one to either leave the detachable hood at home and just use the built-in hood or use them both to get a much longer hood.

Other:
 - Point light stars when stopped down:  Looks like that 7 non-curved blade aperture does the trick and gives cool spikes when stopped down just a bit.  I'm sure the bokeh isn't the greatest stopped down, but I don't care for my uses.  It's up there with the 400/5.6 ED AI which is excellent.  by comparison the excellent 300/4.5 ED AI has the "Ninja Star" aperture blades and it does not do well
 - Light fall-off wide open:  It's there, it corrects pretty well using the standard manual correction tools in photoshop and overall it's pretty good.  It's definitely better than my 400/5.6 ED AI.
 - Sensor Hygiene:  Even wide open these long focal lengths show every microscopic speck of dust on your sensor ;>(. and boy does my D800 need a cleaning! 
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2016, 16:57:47 »
A CPL-1S polariser will give 1.3 stop or more.

Be aware that the filter holder for these lenses does not accept ordinary 39mm filters, as their rim is too thick. A low-profile filter might work, but still there is a danger of it being jammed in the filter slot on the lens. Perhaps a quick workout with a Dremel can solve the problem?

Oh, yes, thanks for the note.  I'll take a look and see if I can find a low profile 39mm version (B+W is my preferred filter company).  And I do own a Dremel + accessories and can remove excess material pretty quickly if needed. :)
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2016, 16:59:15 »
AND I just realized that the ability to stack filters is non-existent or very limited.  I'll have to take a look at what I can do.
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2016, 17:44:02 »
A CPL-1S polariser will give 1.3 stop or more.

Be aware that the filter holder for these lenses does not accept ordinary 39mm filters, as their rim is too thick. A low-profile filter might work, but still there is a danger of it being jammed in the filter slot on the lens. Perhaps a quick workout with a Dremel can solve the problem?

BTW - Thanks for responding to all these posts Bjorn!  It's very much appreciated.
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simsurace

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2016, 18:59:25 »
AND I just realized that the ability to stack filters is non-existent or very limited.  I'll have to take a look at what I can do.
You could stack (average) the exposures digitally.
Simone Carlo Surace
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2016, 19:14:46 »
You could stack (average) the exposures digitally.

Yes, sometimes that will work, other times not so much.
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simsurace

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2016, 22:06:50 »
Yes, sometimes that will work, other times not so much.
I'm curious what would be the problematic cases for you.
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2016, 22:58:31 »
I'm curious what would be the problematic cases for you.

Like in one of the images I showed where something is moving through the frame during the exposure.
Also, there will be a delay between images which will cause artifacts.
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simsurace

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2016, 11:33:51 »
Like in one of the images I showed where something is moving through the frame during the exposure.
Also, there will be a delay between images which will cause artifacts.

Sure, the technique has a narrow range of applicability.
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jhinkey

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Re: ND Filter For 600/5.6 ED-IF AIS
« Reply #13 on: April 02, 2016, 16:34:31 »
Sure, the technique has a narrow range of applicability.

Sometimes I can stack multiple images, but usually not - thanks though!
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