Epic + Canon + (Which Filters)

[Mike Van Laanen]

Trying to prepare for the arrival of my Stage 3 Epic and needing to pick some of the bits and pieces for a Canon set up. I have decided on the following lense set and do not want to scrimp on the filters. I would really appreciate any advice on manufacturers and specific filters. Also would love some feedback on my lens choice - are there holes in the list or replacements I should consider. My work will be focused on EFP / ENG - docs, sports, wildlife, and commercial. Would I benefit from some more zooms and if so which ones?

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Autofocus Lens
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Autofocus Lens
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Autofocus Lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Autofocus Lens
Canon EF 135mm f2L USM Autofocus Lens
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Canon
Canon 2x EF Extender III Teleconverter
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Telephoto Lens

I did try numerous searches for this but could not find anything definitive. If there is another thread out there, could you please point me in the right direction.
Thanks,

Mike

[Sulekh Suman]

I saw some stuff shot by Jonathan earlier today on red user. http://vimeo.com/31202118
He has shot in on an overcast day with some rain. Sharpness, colors and details(rain drops) are excellent. A 24-70-2.8 might be worth considering for on the go scenario(it may act as 35-105 given the crop factor).
I can't wait to get my hands on it.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks Sulekh. I was thinking about that one, just wasn't sure about it's quality / breathing. Appreciate the advice.

[KETCH ROSSi]

The Canon 2x EF Extender III Teleconverter is not as good as the Canon 1.4 x EF Extender III Teleconverter, so unless its imperative for your shot,
I'll try and not use the x2 as detail of your shot will degrade, degradation with the 1.4 its very negligible.

As far as filters, I strongly suggest to always have a B+W UV Haze 010 F-Pro MRC Filter on each of your lenses, I never take them off!!

For both outdoor daylight and night scenes, Landscape, Architecture and even Skin tones, such s Portraits,
I always also use a B+W Kaeseman Circular Polarizing Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) Filter, but this is very Personal, so to each its own.

Defitniely for Artistic choices in both Aperture control of your shot, you will need an entire stack of ND's in the various sizes, or just get the largest to cover your 82mm,
then get reduction rings to the 77mm 72mm and 67mm, but also here you want too quality filters, so I'll also go wit the B+W Neutral Density (ND) Multi-Coated (MC) Filter
of various densities form .6, no reason to get the .3

Yes they will be a pricy addition, but if you think of Image quality's importance, then you'll spend the money... ;)

[Mark Andersen]

A couple of thoughts.

I don't really like the 50 1.2L neither it nor the 1.4 are very good wide open. They are great at T4. You can save some cash and just get the 1.4 The 14 doesn't take screw on filters, at least mine doesn't, they may have a new design now, I'd check into it. Hard to use a lense with no filters. For zooms I really like the 17-40, but I seem to be the only one. Everyone goes for the 16-35, but the 17-40 is sharper, although slower.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks Mark for the great thoughts. Didn't know about the 50mm, really appreciate the heads up.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks Ketch for the details. I will be taking your advice on the brand choice (B & W). After seeing your stills and videos I am convinced about your choice in filters - love your work. You mentioned: "As far as filters, I strongly suggest to always have a B+W UV Haze 010 F-Pro MRC Filter on each of your lenses, I never take them off!!", question is do you stack filters and if so do you put the NDs on the outside or does the UV Haze go on the outside? Again, really appreciate your help here.

[KETCH ROSSi]

Thanks Ketch for the details. I will be taking your advice on the brand choice (B & W). After seeing your stills and videos I am convinced about your choice in filters - love your work. You mentioned: "As far as filters, I strongly suggest to always have a B+W UV Haze 010 F-Pro MRC Filter on each of your lenses, I never take them off!!", question is do you stack filters and if so do you put the NDs on the outside or does the UV Haze go on the outside? Again, really appreciate your help here.

The Haze Clear filter stays always ON, all other filters on the outside, if ND's + Polarizer Haze-ND's-Polarizer in that order.

Of course if using Super Wide Focal, you need to chose what to leave in and what not, as they will Vignette if to many are staked up,
and also to consider that the more Filters the more artifacts and detail loss will occur, I never put more then 3.

Also important to remember when outdoor shooting is that all "L" series glass form Canon is Weather proof but only if there is a Filter screwed on.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks Ketch. That really helps me plan. I have ordered sets of the B & W filters for all my lenses. Now just waiting for Stage 3 to begin. And by the way, I have taken your advice and dropped the 2X Extender, now getting the 1.4X III Extender instead. Thanks.

[KETCH ROSSi]

Most welcome Mike... ;)

Btw, is not that the 2x Extender III is not usable, but I would only, and I mean only have it in my bag collecting dust, in case comes a super long shot that not even my longest lens can't get to it,
and even with cropping still can't get to it, then... And only then I'll use it... I don't shoot Paparazzi were their Soft images make no difference to a Gossip Newspaper, I want tack Sharp images full of detail... ;)

[Mohamed Younis]

I own the 24, 32, 85, and 70-200. I've used the 24-70 a lot and i think it's nowhere near as sharp as the primes. It's not a very good lens for the price.

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks Mohamed. At this point I will get the primes and the 70-200. Once the X arrives, I can do some testing with 24-70 to see if it will work for me. Want to get a complete Canon set filled out - primes and zooms, then branch off to a new set of RPP's. Really appreciate the help and advice here guys, thnaks.

[Stephen Pruitt]

I completely disagree with Mark P.

We positively LOVE the 50mm f1.2L and use it wide open all the time. And I mean ALL the time. There must be an issue with his particular lens, as our copy is glorious wide-open and otherwise. In fact, it (and our 85mm f1.2L) is our single favorite lens!

Stephen

[Stephen Pruitt]

Now, with respect to ND filters, you will need to make sure you have IR+ND. And since you are using DSLR lenses, you will need to avoid the Pancro IR+ND filters, as these NDs are notorious for producing wicked ghosts when using some DSLR lenses. We used to have Pancros and had to sell them because of this issue (they were unusable). We went with Formatt IR+ND filters, and have not had a single ghost since.

Ours are Panavision size (4x5.65) and, yes, they are expensive.

Stephen

[Mark Phelan]

I've never had an issue with ghosting using the Pancros, which lenses caused problems for you Stephen?

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi there, Mark.

The ghosting issue with Pancros and DSLR lenses is well-established by many DSLR lens users on this forum. We experienced SEVERE ghosting with every Nikon lens we owned. It rendered the Pancro filters completely unusable. Apparently, some lens coatings are much more susceptible to ghosting with Pancros than others. There are many fewer reports of ghosting when using PL mount lenses (although there are some). There are no reports of ghosting with Formatt IR+ND filters to our knowledge and we have been unable to even make a ghost when we tried when using the Formatts. The difference, as they say, was night and day.

Stephen

[Josh Beadle]

The 24-70 has very little breathing from the tests I have seen.

I use the Singh-Ray range of filters. They have a killer Variable ND which is ideal for knocking down ambient

http://www.singh-ray.com/

[Mike Van Laanen]

Thanks for input guys, really appreciate the help here. I have read conflicting reports about the need for the IR + ND - the M needed it where the MX and the Epic didn't need it due to a change in the internal camera filter. Any thoughts on this?

[Josh Snyder]

HOYA ND and PL filters and HD protectors when filters are not used (the best and still well priced).

[Stacey Spears]

I have been using the Formatt screw-on Hot Mirrow / ND filters (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Circular+Sizes_77mm&ci=16886&N=4247364302+4246734341+4294955263+4294955264) (0.6, 0.9, and 1.2) with good results. They ship from the UK and sometimes takes several weeks to receive, depending on stock. If you are using screw-on filters, you may also want to get a push-on lens cap to use with them. For my 77mm filters, I use the 80mm Kaiser (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125302-REG/Kaiser_206980_80mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html). I just orderd some 82mm filters and the 85mm Kaiser (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125304-REG/Kaiser_206985_85mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html).