Kolari Clip-In OLPF for Lumix: A Deep Dive (Finally)

[Dhopkins802]

I finally got around to completing my deep dive review of the Kolari Clip-In OLPF designed for Lumix S Series 24MP sensors. An unexpected bonus is that it also works on the S1RII. See more below:



I hope this answers most questions that have been floating around out there about this product. If you have anymore, drop them below!

 

[PJD]

Hi Dan: Really well done review, and thanks for all your hard work! Most important comment & question: Your dog is a star! What's its name?

I'm enjoying using the Kolari OLPF in my S5iiX. I haven't done a ton of shooting with it yet, but so far I'm very pleased with the results the filter produces.

Although it's true a higher-resolution sensor (or my camera's 96MP Hi-Res stills mode) without an OLPF will less often exhibit moire/aliasing artifacts, in my experience these artifacts occur fairly often in real world shooting, including when shooting in Hi-Res mode. So, I plan to keep the OLPF installed in my camera pretty much 100% of the time. The very slight image softening produced by the filter doesn't concern me at all. But everyone has different preferences & that's cool.

Thanks again & cheers!

 

[Pete_W]

So, I plan to keep the OLPF installed in my camera pretty much 100% of the time. The very slight image softening produced by the filter doesn't concern me at all. But everyone has different preferences & that's cool.

I am wondering if I should get one for my S5ii. I often see aliasing in my railway photos from the fluted sides on stainless steel railcars.

 

[CharlesH]

Thanks for the very thorough review Dan. About the comparison with the S1H, I found with my S1H the moiré control was often not quite enough, and it's encouraging this OLPF seems to do a better job. Also, in the comments section of your YouTube someone mentioned the loss of micro focus from the OLPF could be restored with a minor tweak of sharpening in post. This was definitely the case with S1H, and whenever I did still photography with that camera I would always add a small amount of sharpening. Video always seemed fine without it.

About anamorphic, I only have L-Mount, not PL mount, so there isn't a way to shim. Thanks for mentioning the issue and we'll see how it goes - maybe not use the filter for anamorphic. Anyway, I'm off to order the OLPF for my S1II. Thanks again.

 

[Dhopkins802]

Thanks for the very thorough review Dan. About the comparison with the S1H, I found with my S1H the moiré control was often not quite enough, and it's encouraging this OLPF seems to do a better job. Also, in the comments section of your YouTube someone mentioned the loss of micro focus from the OLPF could be restored with a minor tweak of sharpening in post. This was definitely the case with S1H, and whenever I did still photography with that camera I would always add a small amount of sharpening. Video always seemed fine without it.

About anamorphic, I only have L-Mount, not PL mount, so there isn't a way to shim. Thanks for mentioning the issue and we'll see how it goes - maybe not use the filter for anamorphic. Anyway,

Thanks for the very thorough review Dan. About the comparison with the S1H, I found with my S1H the moiré control was often not quite enough, and it's encouraging this OLPF seems to do a better job. Also, in the comments section of your YouTube someone mentioned the loss of micro focus from the OLPF could be restored with a minor tweak of sharpening in post. This was definitely the case with S1H, and whenever I did still photography with that camera I would always add a small amount of sharpening. Video always seemed fine without it.

About anamorphic, I only have L-Mount, not PL mount, so there isn't a way to shim. Thanks for mentioning the issue and we'll see how it goes - maybe not use the filter for anamorphic. Anyway, I'm off to order the OLPF for my S1II. Thanks again.

Thanks for the support (via the link)! And yes, Kolari is exploring workarounds for anamorphic but it appears all clip-ins give them a bit of trouble.

Definitely let me know if you have any questions when it arrives.

Thanks!

I'm off to order the OLPF for my S1II. Thanks again.