Do You REALLY Need Lens Filters? Variable ND Tests

Variable ND filters are in every pro video kit, let's test how important they are

[JamesHayes]

Great job Tyler! Something you didn't touch on though was that when you're filming in doors you should be aware of the flicker that your lights produce. Typically in the US your lights will flicker 120 times a second because of your power running at 60Hz, this is noticeable any time you're not shooting at a shutter speed that's a multiple of 1/60. In the UK (that's me) and other places in Europe we typically shoot at shutter speeds in multiples of 1/50 since our lights run at 50Hz. This matches the speed of the lights flickering and so it won't be picked up by your camera. However another point is a lot of LED lights don't get this flickering until really really high shutter speeds but it varies on the light. Just thought I should add this so people don't start shooting really random shutter speeds and get weird flickering.

[JesseDriftwood]

Alright *FINE* I'll get an ND filter stop yelling at me :)

[vistasuprema]

Just to explain the stuttering look on the indoor footage with faster shutter speeds for those who might be curious. If you're shooting 60fps and 1/120s, the time between exposures is much less than if you're shooting 60fps and 1/2000s. So with the faster shutter speed, there's an exposure, and then a big blackout time where the object moves through the frame, and then another exposure. So it is in effect jumping from exposure to exposure, as opposed to the longer shutter speeds which provides motion blur and mesh the movement together more seamlessly. Thats why the closer objects appear to stutter and jump more than the further objects: they cover more ground in the frame with every exposure.

[ChrisProuse]

Really enjoyed that Tyler. Something almost nobody ever talks about on this topic is when there's actually some utility to having sharper frames with higher shutter speeds other than the look. For instance, you generally get cleaner, more accurate tracking information when applying stabilization in post to footage that was shot at a higher shutter speed... so if I'm trying to make moving gimbal shots look as smooth as a drone (with a little added stabilization applied in post), it's actually helpful.

[DaveDugdaleColorado]

In my tests doubling works fine, but like you said, up to a point. I stop at 1/125th even if I am shooting at 120fps, going to 1/250th doesn't seem to help or look that different from 1/125th.

[amadoukromah]

Could you do a video on how you color grade your videos? your videos look amazing, just amazing.

[pruett]

Great video Tyler, it had a good playfulness to it that I enjoyed. A little more casual and fun - grear work for sure.

[soonskiyt]

Great job done at the testing and knowing the difference it makes on wider shots or close up and it really shows to viewer like me and understand how much impact it makes. And especially on handheld. Couldn’t thanks you enough for this! Thanks!

[EposVox]

Funny that you felt like you "needed convinced." I was kinda the opposite, I never took that into account when I started, but then I got some complaints about my motion looking like lots of still frames/jittery, and that's what sent me down the rabbit hole xD

[azrinaz]

Finally, someone who explains shutter speed for video extremely well and concise with clear sample and difference.. Great video Tyler..
Maybe a video on frames per sec next?

[Sauce-ke]

The color grading on this video is so clean!! The cleanest I’ve ever seen damn 🔥

[arturogoga]

Great video Tyler! One question I had, though, was what would happen if your shutter speed is the same as the framerate? I shoot a lot at 60 fps, but in low light i sometimes can't double the framerate in the shuttle speed, so I usually end up filming at 60 fps / 1/60.

[RJMPictures]

I love the tone of your talking head shots here

[trevormello]

I honestly had no idea about the 2x your FPS. Thank you!

[AA-uuox]

Excellent content. For shooting nature videos and views of the ocean (without much movement) with the Iphone would you recommend using a VND and CPL filter in one or just the CPL filter alone? I want to use the CPL, but I'm wondering whether the combined version with a VND (that some lenses have) would be a better option than using CPL alone. What are your thoughts?

[DionSiswadi]

The quality of production improves massively in this video.

[JetBen]

8:41 I actually prefer the color with the ND filter at 2 stop, the image look less flat, just me ?

[stefanrhys]

This video is amazing, anyone into videography it’s just getting into film making needs to watch this. I have been constantly using a variable ND on my iPhone when shooting video but it’s totally true that depending on the frame of video, what is moving, have a faster shutter speed won’t ruin the shot .. now I need to run more of my own tests lol. Thanks Tyler!

[sifren]

Very informative video Tyler, I think I've taken people's word for the 180 degree rule without really questioning it. I've also experienced the X moire pattern when I turn the variable ND (mine is Tiffen) outside of the marked stops.

[JacksonHayes]

This is an EXCELLENT video. Def gonna share with people who need an explainer about the what and what’s of NDs.

Also nice hiding of the backlight dying. I hate it when my rim light dies haha