What ND filters are the best for Irix 15mm f2.4?

micromacro · 05-30-2020, 05:11 PM

I'm looking forward to buy that lens, and really would like to have at least two main filters for it, one is 1000x, and one graduated. Ideally, I would love to use them on other lenses as well.

I can't figure out which brand and which holder can be money/quality combo. The whole ND filter concept for landscape is unknown territory for now.

Any suggestions?

**ToddK** · 05-30-2020, 06:50 PM

Have you looked at the Irix filters? They have a filter holder made for that lens and an assortment of drop-in square filters. You can see all of their products on the IrixUSA website.

micromacro · 05-30-2020, 07:05 PM

Yes, I saw. But I also read that there are better options. There are so many experts online ))), when I read too much there I'm getting lost. Especially when I've never seen the filter system in reality yet. I only used round polarized and ND cheap filters. Now when I'm thinking about more expensive solutions, I'm lost.

**ToddK** · 05-30-2020, 08:07 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

I only used round polarized and ND cheap filters. Now when I'm thinking about more expensive solutions, I'm lost.

I am the same as you. I have never purchased a drop-in system before, so I would be in the same boat. I have the Irix 15mm Firefly and have not bought a set of filters for it yet. They get really pricey for large 95mm size.

micromacro · 05-30-2020, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by ToddK

I am the same as you. I have never purchased a drop-in system before, so I would be in the same boat. I have the Irix 15mm Firefly and have not bought a set of filters for it yet. They get really pricey for large 95mm size.

Yes, the same here. Good filters are pricey, and now I'm thinking also to cut the corners and go for Firefly instead of Blackstone. How do you like yours? Is it much "cheaper" than Blackstone?

**ToddK** · 05-30-2020, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

Yes, the same here. Good filters are pricey, and now I'm thinking also to cut the corners and go for Firefly instead of Blackstone. How do you like yours? Is it much "cheaper" than Blackstone?

I like it although I have not used it much for landscapes yet. I primarily use it for architecture shots. I was initially going to buy the Blackstone but at the time it was back ordered so I bought the Firefly. I don't recall the difference in price, but the Firefly is a very high quality lens and has the exact same optics, so I am glad I saved the money.

amstel78 · 05-31-2020, 02:06 AM

Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all.

myrdinn · 05-31-2020, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by amstel78

Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all.

I have the Firefly 15 mm and I'm happy with it. I always use the Irix Edge UV & Protector 95 mm on it. As far as I can see, it's a good filter.

bertwert · 05-31-2020, 04:15 PM

I believe it has a slot for rear gelatin filters - it may be something to look into?

Wheatfield · 05-31-2020, 06:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by amstel78

Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all.

I was going to post that I have been using Breakthrough filters as well. They do seem very good indeed.

---------- Post added May 31st, 2020 at 07:22 PM ----------

Originally posted by bertwert

I believe it has a slot for rear gelatin filters - it may be something to look into?

This absolutely. I used to get polyester "gels", I don't recall from where, probably Calumet. They were extremely good optically, and were very tough, making them ideal for field photography. Gels on the back, as long as they don't reflect, would be an ideal solution.

micromacro · 05-31-2020, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

This absolutely. I used to get polyester "gels", I don't recall from where, probably Calumet. They were extremely good optically, and were very tough, making them ideal for field photography. Gels on the back, as long as they don't reflect, would be an ideal solution.

It would be interesting to try, plus those filters are not expensive.

05-30-2020, 05:11 PM	#1
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	What ND filters are the best for Irix 15mm f2.4? I'm looking forward to buy that lens, and really would like to have at least two main filters for it, one is 1000x, and one graduated. Ideally, I would love to use them on other lenses as well. I can't figure out which brand and which holder can be money/quality combo. The whole ND filter concept for landscape is unknown territory for now. Any suggestions?

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05-30-2020, 06:50 PM	#2
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,566	Have you looked at the Irix filters? They have a filter holder made for that lens and an assortment of drop-in square filters. You can see all of their products on the IrixUSA website.

05-30-2020, 07:05 PM	#3
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Yes, I saw. But I also read that there are better options. There are so many experts online ))), when I read too much there I'm getting lost. Especially when I've never seen the filter system in reality yet. I only used round polarized and ND cheap filters. Now when I'm thinking about more expensive solutions, I'm lost.

05-30-2020, 08:07 PM	#4
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,566	Originally posted by micromacro I only used round polarized and ND cheap filters. Now when I'm thinking about more expensive solutions, I'm lost. I am the same as you. I have never purchased a drop-in system before, so I would be in the same boat. I have the Irix 15mm Firefly and have not bought a set of filters for it yet. They get really pricey for large 95mm size.

05-30-2020, 08:48 PM	#5
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by ToddK I am the same as you. I have never purchased a drop-in system before, so I would be in the same boat. I have the Irix 15mm Firefly and have not bought a set of filters for it yet. They get really pricey for large 95mm size. Yes, the same here. Good filters are pricey, and now I'm thinking also to cut the corners and go for Firefly instead of Blackstone. How do you like yours? Is it much "cheaper" than Blackstone?

05-30-2020, 09:35 PM	#6
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,566	Originally posted by micromacro Yes, the same here. Good filters are pricey, and now I'm thinking also to cut the corners and go for Firefly instead of Blackstone. How do you like yours? Is it much "cheaper" than Blackstone? I like it although I have not used it much for landscapes yet. I primarily use it for architecture shots. I was initially going to buy the Blackstone but at the time it was back ordered so I bought the Firefly. I don't recall the difference in price, but the Firefly is a very high quality lens and has the exact same optics, so I am glad I saved the money.

05-31-2020, 02:06 AM	#7
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247	Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all.

05-31-2020, 03:31 PM	#8
myrdinn Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: belgium Posts: 96	Originally posted by amstel78 Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all. I have the Firefly 15 mm and I'm happy with it. I always use the Irix Edge UV & Protector 95 mm on it. As far as I can see, it's a good filter.

05-31-2020, 04:15 PM	#9
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	I believe it has a slot for rear gelatin filters - it may be something to look into?

05-31-2020, 06:19 PM - 1 Like	#10
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by amstel78 Not an ND filter, but I do use a front mounted 95mm X4 CPL from Breakthrough Photography. It's pricey but works very well. No vignetting at all. I was going to post that I have been using Breakthrough filters as well. They do seem very good indeed. ---------- Post added May 31st, 2020 at 07:22 PM ---------- Originally posted by bertwert I believe it has a slot for rear gelatin filters - it may be something to look into? This absolutely. I used to get polyester "gels", I don't recall from where, probably Calumet. They were extremely good optically, and were very tough, making them ideal for field photography. Gels on the back, as long as they don't reflect, would be an ideal solution.

05-31-2020, 07:36 PM	#11
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield This absolutely. I used to get polyester "gels", I don't recall from where, probably Calumet. They were extremely good optically, and were very tough, making them ideal for field photography. Gels on the back, as long as they don't reflect, would be an ideal solution. It would be interesting to try, plus those filters are not expensive.