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Steve M Hostetter
30-Jan-2011, 17:54
Hello,

I need some ideas for filter holders
pics would be nice! :)
thx
steve

NicolasArg
30-Jan-2011, 20:09
Hi Steve, due to the ridiculous duty rates I have to pay here for every single photo item I buy abroad and to all the time I have to wait for an item to arrive, I ended up making my own filter holders. Here is how:
I buy a generic UV or CPL filter in a local photo shop, then I cut a clean electronic plate (I have a whole lot of them, but you can use any other sheet material of an acceptable thickness) to the size of the filter I plan to use. Then I make a hole in the plate and glue the filter in it (the glass element form the filter is obviously removed). Then I make a couple of notches on top and on bottom of the plate and glue two orings there in order to preserve the filter from scratching and voila, it's ready for shooting. It's actually a matter of 15 or 20 minutes. Some photos:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5268047336_f9e0f9859e_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5267439339_1e25ee263f_z.jpg

I made absolutely all my film photos using these simple holders. Hope it helps.

Steve M Hostetter
31-Jan-2011, 11:42
Hi Nicolas,

Oh yeah, nice ! :)

Brian Ellis
31-Jan-2011, 17:55
I'd post a picture of my hand but it wouldn't be LF so I can't. : - ) But my hand works real well as a holder. I hold 4x4 filters and large circular filters next to the lens by hand all the time and it works fine. I put a thin piece of masking tape along one edge of the 4x4s to grasp the filter and avoid getting fingerprints on the filter. The only concerns are to make sure your fingers don't get in the picture and that you don't jostle the camera, which isn't hard to do.

civich
31-Jan-2011, 18:12
Nicholas,
Impressive! I'm inspired.
-Chris

Steve M Hostetter
31-Jan-2011, 19:20
Hello Brian,

I have to say I've practiced that method myself but I used the masking tape to tape the filter to the lens.. Didn't always work well especially with barrel lenses where I'm am often forced to manipulate a home made shutter.
Excuse me if i'm wrong but I think that posting smaller format pictures for illistration purposes are tolerated here.

gliderbee
2-Feb-2011, 02:52
This made me think: isn't it better to use the filters inside the camera, between the lens and the film ? No risk of glare, often smaller filters needed ... It's a bit more work to change the filter, but then, taking of the lensboard with the lens to change the filter is not THAT much extra work. Am I missing something (I'm rather new to LF Photography).

BTW, great idea from Nicolas, I'm going to do the same ! Thanks.

Thanks,
Stefan.

Rui Morais de Sousa
2-Feb-2011, 03:48
Hi Stefan,
I also like to do that, but then don't forget to focus with the filter in place!
Cheers,
Rui
AL-MOST-LY PHOTOGRAPHY (http://ruimoraisdesousa.blogspot.com/)

gliderbee
2-Feb-2011, 07:27
Hello Rui,

I didn't think of that; does that make a difference ? What might be easier to forget is to take the filter into account when measuring the light; since you don't see it ... but I don't understand the difference when focussing ?

Regards,
Stefan.


Hi Stefan,
I also like to do that, but then don't forget to focus with the filter in place!
Cheers,
Rui
AL-MOST-LY PHOTOGRAPHY (http://ruimoraisdesousa.blogspot.com/)

Rui Morais de Sousa
2-Feb-2011, 08:28
Hello Stefan,
You will "see" it, when you look to your ground glass, at least if it is a colored filter like a contrast filter. You are remembered by its color on the image that it stays there. But I know what you mean, I also forget such things often...
Filters behind the lens produce some focus shift, and may produce some spherical aberration (although I think that the small apertures we use in large format neutralize the aberration). In some cases I also found out that the filter produced vignetting without me beeing aware, but it would be probably worse installing the filter in front...
I think that filters behind the lens are also better for controling flare and reflections.
That is my practical point of view, some other people surely are able to give more competent answers from the theorical aspect of the topic.
Some lenses fronts are also so big in diameter, that you would need very large, heavy and expensive filters! I like to keep it so simple as possible. I am getting old...
Kind regards,
Rui
AL-MOST-LY PHOTOGRAPHY (http://ruimoraisdesousa.blogspot.com/)

Steve M Hostetter
21-Feb-2011, 12:58
was wondering if anyone might have utilized magnets in any creative way to accomplish a filter holder?