10 stop with a D3100

Badger8

Badger8

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Tim
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Good afternoon Everyone,

I've just tried my new 10 stop with the Nikon 3100. I was finding it difficult to even get an exposure first of all, in fact I've had plenty of black screens. But i was wondering if anyone else with a Nikon D3100 has used a 10 stopper? If so what technique did you use? Were you fully in manual mode or did you go into "A" or "S"?
Actually, I'm guessing this is going to count for anyone with a DSLR. What it the best way to use a 10 stop? For my first shot I went into "auto", took the reading and then put the lens on. I noted the shutter speed and then used an app for my iphone to then work out the shutter speed against the old shutter speed reading. It didn't work. What am i doing wrong? :bang:
 
Ive not used the D3100 , but in general terms you've pretty much got to be in M - the way to go is to compose the scene and take a meter reading without the filter ( for a really long exposure set the iso as low as it will go - but don't select a stupidly narrow apperture or you will highlight all the crap on your sensor - i'd usually use about F11 -16 )

Having metered the scene without the filter , carefully add it and alter the shutter speed 10 stops down to compensate for the filter

So if your un filltered reading was 1/60 your filtered shot would be at 15 seconds (you may need to experiment as some cheap 10 stops are +/- a stop or so ie between 8 seconds and 30 on the example above )
 
big soft moose said:
Ive not used the D3100 , but in general terms you've pretty much got to be in M - the way to go is to compose the scene and take a meter reading without the filter ( for a really long exposure set the iso as low as it will go - but don't select a stupidly narrow apperture or you will highlight all the crap on your sensor - i'd usually use about F11 -16 )

Having metered the scene without the filter , carefully add it and alter the shutter speed 10 stops down to compensate for the filter

So if your un filltered reading was 1/60 your filtered shot would be at 15 seconds (you may need to experiment as some cheap 10 stops are +/- a stop or so ie between 8 seconds and 30 on the example above )
Click to expand...

Thank you Pete, I think I may of cracked it! He says. I'm currently sat in my living room pointing the camera out of the window trying to work it out lol. I though it best to take rubbish pictures of the tree and work it out before going into the "field". So basically, the 10 stop is all about the shutter speed?
 
A 10 stop blocks 10 stops of light, so whatever shutter speed you get without the filter, it will be 10 stops slower with the filter.


In this country, even in good daylight with a 10 stopper you are going to be talking at least 1 second exposure up to several minutes.

You need to use either full manual or shutter priority. Sometimes you may even need to use bulb mode if the duration needs to be longer than 30 seconds.
 
chris2jz said:
I use a ten stop on a D3100 - M Mode and turn it to bulb , i then use an app on my phone to work out how long the exposure will be and then use the timer on my phone to make sure its precise .
Click to expand...

Thats how I'm doing it mate. How are you finding your D3100? I've got to say that I'm disappointed so far with the quality of picture!! Mine looks grainy even at ISO 100 and lowest f stop. I think that is just my ability rather that the camera though.
 
The d3100 is fantastic up to ISO 1600 and not at all bad at 3200. Shouldn't be any noise at lower ISO Unless you are under exposing and pulling up shadows in PP.
 
chris2jz said:
i then use an app on my phone to work out how long the exposure will be
Click to expand...

Can't people do things by themselves any more?!!

Ten stops - you have ten fingers. just count it out halving the shutter speed for each finger.

(Or divide by 1000).


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Can't people do things by themselves any more?!!

Ten stops - you have ten fingers. just count it out halving the shutter speed for each finger.

(Or divide by 1000).

Steve.
Click to expand...

Don't you mean multiply by 1000.
 
Badger8 said:
Thats how I'm doing it mate. How are you finding your D3100? I've got to say that I'm disappointed so far with the quality of picture!! Mine looks grainy even at ISO 100 and lowest f stop. I think that is just my ability rather that the camera though.
Click to expand...

:) Its great , no issue's at all . Certainly not grainy ! I'm using a Nikkor 18-200 and a B&W 10 stop. Keep practicing :thumbs:

Steve Smith said:
Can't people do things by themselves any more?!!

Ten stops - you have ten fingers. just count it out halving the shutter speed for each finger.

(Or divide by 1000).


Steve.
Click to expand...

:lol: Sorry to disappoint you Steve


:amstupid:
 
terryt said:
Don't you mean multiply by 1000.
Click to expand...

Shutter speeds are fractions so if you start at 1/2000, divide the denominator by 1000 = 1/2 = 1/2 second.

Start at 1/250 and it is a bit different but works = 1/0.25 = 4 seconds.

But yes I should have said multiply. I was in divide mode because if you do it ten times counting on your fingers, you divide the speed in half ten times.

e.g. start at 1/500 then 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Ten stops - you have ten fingers..
.
Click to expand...

I know we have to make allowances for those from the IoW - but most of us have 8 fingers , and 2 thumbs :lol:
 
I have a D3100 and my pictures using the 10 stop have come out fine. I meter it first then work out what the exposure will be, put the filter on carefully and take the shot using M mode. I always make sure that I turn the VR off too!
I have found the more I use the 10 stopper, the easier it becomes.
 
As has been said already, you cannot rely on the camera's meter to be able to read the image correctly through the filter therefore you need to be in manual mode and set the speed manually eg bulb having previously taken a reading without the filter.

I have the d3000 and a Haida 10 stop filter. Have a look at my Flickr photostream to see a couple that I've recently taken.

P.s. I've no issues with noise on my d3000 so long as ISO is below about 800.
 
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