Which ND filter are you using for shooting wide open during the day?

Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
edited February 9, 2011 in Accessories
Hi,

the topic says it all. Would you recommend a 2 or 3 stops filter,
with or without MRC coating?

Thanks!
“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
― Edward Weston

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited February 8, 2011
    It depends upon your desired shutter speed.

    Basically, determine your intended exposure (with the ND filter in place) and determine the indicated exposure (measured exposure without the ND filter). The difference is what you need in the ND filter.

    To turn moving water into a glassy appearance would require much more ND filtration than just allowing maximum aperture of a pastoral scene without motion.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2011
    I know that I need 2 better 3 stops (for the 50mm 1.0). But I
    read on B+W website that the 3 stop ND has an unintended
    warming effect whereas the 2 stop is still very color neutral.

    They also write that MRC does not affect optical performance
    and that it is only for added weather and scratch resistance.

    If nobody here is using such a filter I guess I have to order
    both to find out which one is right.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • mr peasmr peas Registered Users Posts: 1,369 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2011
    I don't find any warming effects behind my ND2 or ND4 Hoya HMC filters, even when I've stacked them. I can understand the use for them on a 1.0 lens though :) What's the filter size on the 50, 72mm?
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2011
    mr peas wrote: »
    I don't find any warming effects behind my ND2 or ND4 Hoya HMC filters, even when I've stacked them. I can understand the use for them on a 1.0 lens though :) What's the filter size on the 50, 72mm?

    Yea its 72mm. But I will get a 77mm version so that I can use it on other
    lenses as well. The hood on the 50mm 1.0 can be detached when a 77mm
    Filter is mounted (with stepup ring) so thats no problem.

    I assume

    ND2 = 1 stops
    ND4 = 2 stops

    ?
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited February 8, 2011
    Manfr3d wrote: »
    ... I assume

    ND2 = 1 stops
    ND4 = 2 stops

    ?

    Yes.

    We have a rather wonderful thread regarding ND filters and the start of the thread has an excellent primer to ND filters and definitions:

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=132827
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited February 8, 2011
    Honestly.. I was debating which ND filters to get so I could use them with ALL of my lenses.. and ended up with the Cokin Z-pro system. They are 4x6 filters.. and the kit comes with a graduated (which on most lenses can be used full on as well) ND2, ND4 and ND8. I think I paid $175 or there abouts for it. However, for some reason I don't see that kit anymore.. Now it's Grey + 2 different ND. Hell, maybe I do have a gray and that's what the ND2 is, but I didn't think it was.

    Anyway, that kit rocks. No more buying multiple sizes for different lenses. I also bought a 105mm Circular Polarizer due to the fact that the cokin specific filter was $300 and the B+W was $160. I just have an adapter ring I modified so I could place it in front of the holder....
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2011
    Can you still use a lenshood with the Cokin system?
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2011
    Manfr3d wrote: »
    Can you still use a lenshood with the Cokin system?

    Nope. Lens hood is a no go... Honestly I rarely use a hood with my landscape photos or those I need a ND filter for. If you think about it, typically you aren't going to have those issues because the larger filter is going to block (if not the holder itself) the same thing a hood would.
    Jim Karczewski - http://www.jimkarczewski.com
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2011
    JimKarczewski wrote: »
    Nope. Lens hood is a no go... Honestly I rarely use a hood with my landscape photos or those I need a ND filter for. If you think about it, typically you aren't going to have those issues because the larger filter is going to block (if not the holder itself) the same thing a hood would.

    For landscape that makes sense but not so much for shooting portraits on sunny days outdoors.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited February 9, 2011
    I use a 6 stop B+W. It allows me to shoot at 1/250 or slower shutter speeds and wider apertures while being able to nuke the sun with my lights. It does provide a warm color cast, but that can either be fixed with a custom WB or in post.

    To give you an idea, below is a composite shot, that I should be shot for screwing up, that really shows the tint. Everything in this image other than the iPad screen is showing the tine from the filter. Notice everything is a warm/reddish color. I then took the filter off and shot the shot to expose the iPad screen properly. It's white. I should have corrected the WB in post, but totally ignored it.
    5394524526_8547c41aca.jpg
    On a scale of 1 to 10, my awesomeness goes all the way to 11.
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