p.1 #1 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
I’ve read some conflicting info about filters on the Sony 28–70 f/2 and wanted to sanity check before buying anything.
It’s an 86mm thread, but I’ve seen people say standard 86mm filters don’t always fit correctly because Sony uses a different thread pitch (1mm vs typical). Has anyone actually experienced this issue with that lens, or is it mostly a non-issue in practice?
I’m getting into ND filters for the first time since I’ll be shooting NASCAR in June. Assuming bright conditions, I’d like to try some panning shots, so I’m planning around that use case.
The 86mm filters are less common and pretty expensive, so I’m trying to figure out the most practical setup. For those shooting motorsports or similar:
-Do you find yourself needing ND on a mid-range zoom like the 28–70, or mostly on longer glass (like a 70–200)?
-Is it realistic to just run one filter and swap as needed, or does that get old fast in a live shooting environment?
-Has anyone gone the step-up ring route here, and did it cause any issues (fit, vignetting, handling)?
I don’t shoot video and I’m not sure how often I’ll be in situations like this going forward, so I’m trying to keep it simple without boxing myself in.
p.1 #2 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
Take a look at Breakthrough filters, they offer a magnetic mount as well so threading on and off is eliminated. Also extreme quality so no issues with oddities in color cast as with many others.
Also combo of polarizer and ND which could be useful too. Step up rings generally if they are of high quality and compact design such as ones offered from Breakthrough have no issues on vignetting at all until you go ultra wide range.
Is 28-70 going to give you the reach you need? Am thinking the 70-200 is the choice based on where you are shooting from?
Sounds like fun!
Karl
p.1 #3 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
hey thanks Karl! I think the 70-200 might be the one to get the filter for first even though it is smaller. I will have credentials so I might be close enough to use the 28-70 with some panning, but I really don't know yet.
thanks again!
p.1 #4 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
I don’t have any first hand experience with the 28-70, but I do shoot a lot of panning shots
Depending how slow of a shutter speed you want, you may be able to get away with no ND. I find I can go to about 1/50, f13, ISO 50 even on a bright sunny day
If you want to go even slower in Shutter Speed, then yes, a ND may be needed or you’ll be entering serious diffraction territory with f16 and smaller. Although with panning shots, absolute sharpness isn’t needed
I do use a 2 stop ND on my A9III though because of the higher base ISO of 250. I use a B+W filter
Hopefully someone can chime in with firsthand knowledge of the thread pitch. Good luck! Hope to see some pics as well!
p.1 #5 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
I've never shot an oval before so I don't know normally how close you can get with ovals. I feel like a 70-200 or if you really want the F2 the 50-150 might be better served for racing. I have a feeling you'll be at 70 most of the time...
I've shot road courses with 70-200 or 200-600 and even with those smaller aperture lenses I still like using ND and CPL if its sunny. Partly to compensate for sometimes I just get dust bunnies on the sensors and when you stopped down past F8 they are very visible if you have any kind of sky in the background.
I don't know specifically what the Sony 86mm threads are like for the 28-70, but any of my other Sony lenses never really had any issue buying any brand's off the shelf filter(B+W, Nisi, Tiffen), up to and including the 95mm one on the 200-600.
p.1 #6 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
pulper11 wrote:
I’ve read some conflicting info about filters on the Sony 28–70 f/2 and wanted to sanity check before buying anything.
It’s an 86mm thread, but I’ve seen people say standard 86mm filters don’t always fit correctly because Sony uses a different thread pitch (1mm vs typical). Has anyone actually experienced this issue with that lens, or is it mostly a non-issue in practice?
I’m getting into ND filters for the first time since I’ll be shooting NASCAR in June. Assuming bright conditions, I’d like to try some panning shots, so I’m planning around that use case.
The 86mm filters are less common and pretty expensive, so I’m trying to figure out the most practical setup. For those shooting motorsports or similar:
-Do you find yourself needing ND on a mid-range zoom like the 28–70, or mostly on longer glass (like a 70–200)?
-Is it realistic to just run one filter and swap as needed, or does that get old fast in a live shooting environment?
-Has anyone gone the step-up ring route here, and did it cause any issues (fit, vignetting, handling)?
I don’t shoot video and I’m not sure how often I’ll be in situations like this going forward, so I’m trying to keep it simple without boxing myself in....Show more →
Sony uses the standard pitch. The confusion comes from Polar Pro. They accidentally released some 86mm and 95mm filters with the wrong thread pitch. They later rereleased them with the correct pitch which they call the coarse pitch.
If you check their website they no longer sell 86mm and 95mm filters with the fine pitch since it was a mistake. Only "coarse" pitch filters are still available for sale since that's actually the correct pitch.
As far as I'm aware there are no lenses that use an 86mm or 95mm filter that have fine pitched filter threads. This is why no other brand specifies the thread pitch on their filters since it isn't necessary.
I use B+W clear filters on my 28-70 f2, 50-150 f2 and 400-800 and they all fit perfectly. I only own 82mm ND filters also from B+W but they use the same frames for their clear filters and their ND filters so I'm sure they would fit fine just like the clear filters do.
p.1 #7 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
Another option is to use a step down ring and use a 82mm filter.... I already had a 82mm vnd and did not want to drop much money for an oversized filter which I can probably only use for that lens. Have not used it much, but upon quick check I see no vignette... will have to properly inspect it on my next vacation.
p.1 #8 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
Thanks everyone. all helpful. glad to hear that there is no issue with filters and the 28-70. also, I'll be using the a9iii too with the 70-200 so that base iso (something I do forget about) is a good reminder.
p.1 #9 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
quick somewhat related question - if i do buy a 82mm filter and use it with a step-down ring for my 77mm threads on my 70-200, will I most likely not be able to use my hood on my 70-200? being in the sun, this is not a small deal.
i think at this point i'll use a filter on my 70-200 rather than the 28-70. thanks.
p.1 #10 · Variable ND filter for Sony 28-70 F2 lens and help with Nascar
pulper11 wrote:
quick somewhat related question - if i do buy a 82mm filter and use it with a step-down ring for my 77mm threads on my 70-200, will I most likely not be able to use my hood on my 70-200? being in the sun, this is not a small deal.
i think at this point i'll use a filter on my 70-200 rather than the 28-70. thanks.
Yeah the hood won’t fit. Sometimes the hood wont fit even if you use the correct size filter since some filters especially variable NDs are wider than the lens barrel. B+W variable NDs for example actually require the next size up lens cap from whatever their thread size is.
