First ND 4.0 shots

Mitchell

Took some test shots today with my new ND 4.0 filter. First of all, I was taken aback by just how dark this filter is!! Can't see a blessed thing through the D70 viewfinder. The camera would not even meter with the filter on. These shots were taken in bright sun at 20 seconds at f6. My first impressions are frustration! I need to practice with this filter. I suspect it's only application will be with moving water. My second impression is that I liked the color saturation in the second shot. These are both right out of the camera.

Any thoughts or tips?

Mitchell

Active playground. Can you make out the slide activity?

Allen

It's a shame the flag pole was moving, might have been a neat shot.
Love the playground. You hit the exposure right on. Possible title,
Ghosts of children past?
Besides moving water, try a shot of someplace with people moving
about and see if they all disappear.
Good luck,
AL

wxwax

I too like the saturation effect. I was following your discussion with Shay Stephens about ND filters. After looking at the first shot and seeing how long your exposure was, I suspect you were right: you should get the filter your had originally ordered, this puppy blocks too much light. What do you think?

Mitchell

wxwax wrote:

I too like the saturation effect. I was following your discussion with Shay Stephens about ND filters. After looking at the first shot and seeing how long your exposure was, I suspect you were right: you should get the filter your had originally ordered, this puppy blocks too much light. What do you think?

I think I agree. Although now that I have opened the filter and used it, I doubt they will take it back. I was impressed with how dark the 4.0 is even in a bright, sunny, Florida day. Is the ND 3.0 this dark?
From what I gather, I will only gain 3 stops between the two filters. Not sure if it is worth my while to exchange it (other than the fact that I like to get what I order!).

mitch

wxwax

OK, I'm lousy at the numbers. Does three stops faster mean you would expose the identical shot for 5 seconds instead of 20 seconds? If so, that's starting to become a lot more useful for things like traffic trails at dusk.

David_S85

wxwax wrote:

OK, I'm lousy at the numbers. Does three stops faster mean you would expose the identical shot for 5 seconds instead of 20 seconds? If so, that's starting to become a lot more useful for things like traffic trails at dusk.

Each stop doubles or halves.

20, 10, 5, 2.5

wxwax

David_S85 wrote:

Each stop doubles or halves.

20, 10, 5, 2.5

Thanks, further proof of how bad I am at math.

Mitchell

Well, I broke down and ordered a B+W 1.8 ND filter. I hope this one will allow me to take the long exposure daytime shots that I want. The 4.0 is just too dark for me. My only regret is that I should have just sent back the 4.0 when I realized it was not the one I ordered.

Will post some shots when the new one arrives.

mitch