ND filter questions
Nikolai
Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
I'm starting to look for a ND filter for my 20D. I looked at Adorama selection and got a few questions:
1) There are "ND" filters and "Digital ND" filters. What's the difference?:scratch
2) I remember Andy mentioning and using ND 10x. However, after 8x adorama only shows 64x and after that only 100x, 1,000x and higher, which are mostly for the solar eclipses, etc. So, my questions here are
2.1) Where would one find ND 10x?
2.2) If I choose 64x (like the one mentioned here), would it be useful in a common situations (like shooting streams, etc), or it's an overkill? I don't remember anybody using such high numbers..:dunno
3) My widest (both in focal distance and thread size) lens is EF-S 10-22, filter thread 77mm. I usually carry it with UV filter on. Would I need to remove UV when I put ND on, or it would be more beneficial to get a larger filter size and use a step-up ring (which I'm gonna do for all my other lenses that have smaller thread size)?
Thank you for your wisdom! :bow
1) There are "ND" filters and "Digital ND" filters. What's the difference?:scratch
2) I remember Andy mentioning and using ND 10x. However, after 8x adorama only shows 64x and after that only 100x, 1,000x and higher, which are mostly for the solar eclipses, etc. So, my questions here are
2.1) Where would one find ND 10x?
2.2) If I choose 64x (like the one mentioned here), would it be useful in a common situations (like shooting streams, etc), or it's an overkill? I don't remember anybody using such high numbers..:dunno
3) My widest (both in focal distance and thread size) lens is EF-S 10-22, filter thread 77mm. I usually carry it with UV filter on. Would I need to remove UV when I put ND on, or it would be more beneficial to get a larger filter size and use a step-up ring (which I'm gonna do for all my other lenses that have smaller thread size)?
Thank you for your wisdom! :bow
"May the f/stop be with you!"
0
Comments
Neutral Density filters have several uses and offer the possibility to achieve otherwise unachievable results. ND filters appear grey and reduce the amount of light reaching the film. They have no effect on color balance. They have four main uses: 1) To enable slow shutter speeds to be used, especially with high speed films, to record movement in subjects such as waterfalls, clouds, or cars. 2) To decrease depth of field by allowing wider apertures to be used, which helps separate subjects from their background. 3) To decrease the effective ISO of high speed film (above ISO 400) and allow it to be used outdoors in bright situations. 4) To allow cine and video cameras (which have fixed shutter speeds) to film subjects such as snow, sand or other bright scenes which could cause overexposure.
These filters are available in increments from one stop to twenty stops exposure reduction.
Neutral Density factors:
BW101 (ND.3) (exposure adjustment = 1 stop)
BW102 (ND.6) (exposure adjustment = 2 stops)
BW103 (ND.9) (exposure adjustment = 3 stops)
BW106 (ND1.8) (exposure adjustment = 6 stops)
BW110 (ND3.0) (exposure adjustment = 10 stops)
BW113 (ND4.0) (exposure adjustment = 13 stops)
BW120 (ND6.0) (exposure adjustment = 20 stops)
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
I see, so 10x is also ND3.0.. A bit confusing, but I understand.
Now, can anybody possibly answer my other questions, please?
TIA!
No answer on the UV.
Ian
I understand "additivity":-)
However, 8+2 combo is thicker than a single 10, so on my 10-22 wide open I will most likely get the vignetting that I'm trying to avoid..
The main question is: is 64x totally unusable in the most common situations?
Or, even more generic: which single ND would be most useful? I mean - at 77mm most of the good ones are about $100 (plus/minus $30), so I'd really like to buy just one for now...
Thank you!
If you're afraid of vignetting, get a 4x6 set and a holder. Something like a
Lee or Cokin ("P" style). That should cover most of what you need.
What are you planning on shooting?
Don't forget a stacked 4 & 2 make an ND6 and gives you three filters for the price of two. When you then buy an ND6 your three filters will give you a 2 4 6 8 10 & 12 when stacked.
So if your looking to the future maybe look at a cokin type mount and square filters. Buy slowly over time and build a collection of quality filters.
You can then drop in a graduated ND in the same mount as part of your growing collection. I don't even know if anyone makes screw in Grad ND's but if they do dont buy it.
Jerry Lodriguss - Sports Photographer
Reporters sans frontières
But I will now, thanks for the idea!
Thank you for your comment!
I used to have 8x and 4x with my Sony 828, but in reality I never used them separately, I had to stack. Of course, Sony had min aperture f/8, while on 20D I can go much higher.
I mostly plan to use it for waterfalls and streams, which can be either in under the hot socal/nevada/arizon/utah sun, or deep in canyons.
Cheers!
tristansphotography.com (motorsports)
Canon 20D | 10-22 | 17-85 IS | 50/1.4 | 70-300 IS | 100/2.8 macro
Sony F717 | Hoya R72
I had 58mm filters for 828.
Now I have a variety of lenses with threads ranges from 52mm to 62mm to 68mm to 77mm. Since filters are expensive I'm thinking of getting the max diameter (or, as guys suggested, 4x4) and use step up rings/adapters from smaller ones.
Cheers!
I have the BW110 ND filter that you referred to. I have mainly used it for sunrise (over water) shots to smooth the water.
In some cases, I blew the sky a little too much, but with a recent investment in some ND grads I am hoping to rectify that problem.
Here's a few sample shots...
David
SmugMug API Developer
My Photos
Appreciate the feedback!
Cheers!