Neutral Density (ND) Filter for Nikon Fisheye Lens (FX and DX)

[Francis247]

Not sure if this has been brought up before but I did a search but not much information was written on this. So decided to share my findings with my fellow Nikon users.

For fellow Nikon users who love to use the fisheye lens (either FX or DX), one of the issue faced is that there is no filter available for front mounting and for landscape shooters, there isn't a readily available ND filter that can be used with the fisheye lens.

For the Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye lens, according to the user manual, a gelatin filter can cut to the appropriate size and mounted at the back of the lens.

However, for Full Frame users, the Nikon 16mm Fisheye lens does not have a bracket which is found on the 10.5mm lens. But instead, there is a rear-mounting bayonet-type filters L37C which is necessary to be keep attached to the lens at all times as according to the user manual.

 

[Francis247]

There are readily available gelatin or polyester ND (and IR) filters available from Lee filter.

I got a set of Polyester ND filter from Cathay Photo for about $79. It consists of a 0.3 (1 stop), 0.6 (2 stop) and 0.9 (3 stop) filter.

There isn't any 10 stop gelatin filter available from Lee filter but there is a 10 stop gelatin filter from Kodak but it is not cheap and not available in Singapore.

Kodak 3 x 3" Neutral Density (ND) #96 3.0 Optical 8645541

I will show you how I extract out the gelatin filter, cut into shape and also the ND filter "solution" for the 16mm fisheye lens.

 

[Francis247]

The Lee filter ND polyester consists of the gelatin or polyester sheet which is held in place by a holder frame.

The Frame is stick together by double sided tape, that is why you still can see a slight opening.

You can try prying the frame open with a pen knife or with your finger nails.

After doing that, you should be able to access to the ND polyester sheet.

These are the steps to extract out the gelatin or polyester sheet.

 

[Francis247]

I will first share about the cutting of the ND polyester filter for the Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye lens.

As according to the user manual, the polyester sheet should by 27mm x 27mm with 5mm x 5mm corners trimmed for the 4 corners.

Usually I will draw out the template on a piece of paper and place the ND polyester filter over the template and cut according to shape.

Then I will try to slot the polyester filter at the back of the lens to see if it fit. It not, simply trim it by a little. It should not be too tight but also not too loose.

*Note : It is very easy to get your thumb prints on the polyester filter, and it is also very easy to get scratches because it is just a thin piece of plastics. But I don't think there will be much effect on the picture.

 

[Francis247]

As for the Nikon 16mm Fisheye lens, there isn't a readily available solution, so I decided to DIY. Taking inspirations from this website (M A G I C - F I L T E R S), it seems that it is possible to place gelatin filter into the rear-mounting bayonet-type filters. I did some physical measurement and found that the diameter for the filter is around 25mm to 26mm. I decided to go for 25mm as I do not want the gelatin filter to be stuck to the rear-mounting bayonet filter.

**Disclaimer : I will not responsible for any gelatin filter that are stuck to the rear-mounting bayonet filter or scratches to the filter or rear element. So far I tried and the results look ok.*

I draw the template on a piece of paper using a circle template, you may consider using a compass.

Next, I place the ND polyester filter over the circle template and start cutting.

At the end of it, you should get a round shape ND polyester filter.

 

[Francis247]

Remove the rear-mount bayonet filter from the lens.

Turn the filter over and place the gelatin filter inside the bayonet filter.

If the polyester filter does not fall nicely into the bayonet filter, then trim the sides slightly. Make sure that it will not get stuck.

After that, simply mount the bayonet filter together with the gelatin filter back to the lens and you can start shooting.

 

[Francis247]

This shot was taken without the ND Polyester Filter.
ISO - 50
Mode : Manual
Aperture : 22
Shutter Speed : 1/25

This shot was taken with the ND Polyester Filter.
ISO - 50
Mode : Manual
Aperture : 22
Shutter Speed : 1/4

Unfortunately we can't see much different here as I only prepared 1 piece of polyester filter for today's test, and the timing when I take this shot is very bright already. I have not tried stacking of the gelatin filter, but I feel that it is possible to stack them and create a longer exposure time.

 

[redlavita]

Subscribed! cool staffs you got there bro!
Do you think it can be done on a Sigma FE lens too?

 

[coolthought]

Nice idea.
Come think of it, don't you think it can also be mount on the front. It will be easier to change or add filters.

 

[redlavita]

Definitely not the front, but the rear mounting looks very similar to the Nikon lens.