Filter advice please

mrgas

mrgas

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Hi

could someone recommend me a filter please ?

I have a Nikon D60 (52mm thread)

I want to take photos of running water , so want a filter to "block out" some light !!! sorry about my terminology !!

What is it i'm looking for ?

many thanks guys
 
You want a Neutral Density filter for that job

The ND filter strength will depend on when you plan on doing the photography. I have a Hoya ND8 filter and for morning and evening photography that drops my shutter speed nicely.
 
you're looking for an ND filter, but not an ND grad. NDs come in different strengths (most common are 1, 2 and 3 stop)

You can get screw in filters, or slot in filters which require a holder.

It depends on whether you plan on using the filters with more lenses as to what would be best, and whether you will be adding more filters to your repertiore
 
A polariser will reduce exposure by about 2 stops and it will also improve the picture by cutting out unwanted reflections.

If we're talking waterfalls, another good idea is to try doing it in cloudy conditions. Even, non-threatening cloud is best.

In sunlight you will probably get too much contrast between lit areas and shadow areas - although sometimes you can catch sunlight sparkling off the water and that can look good too.

If you do as suggested above you can normally get exposures in the region of 1/2 to 1 second, which are fine, and manage without a ND filter. I've never used one!
 
hello mrgas

the ND filter you've linked to is a 2 stop filter ,yes i'ts a starting point but no more than that .
in some situation 2 stops might not be enough or too much ,the usual set up most folks have myself included is a set of 3 namely 1,2&3 stop filters it covers a lot of situations even moreso when you use 2 of them together. ..


the other thing to consider , what if you buy another lens with a filter thread larger than 52mm ??. do you then buy a second ,larger filter to suit ..

you can get slot in filters including NDs amongst others ,you then buy 1 holder & adaptor rings to suit the lens each adaptor ring costing approx £5..

cokin is 1 make that use this system if you have a look here

http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/main.htm

it will give you a rough idea of what i'm jabbering on about & will probably make more sense.


and here might also help you understand a bit better.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lens-filters.htm
 
daftbugga said:
hello mrgas

the ND filter you've linked to is a 2 stop filter ,yes i'ts a starting point but no more than that .
in some situation 2 stops might not be enough or too much ,the usual set up most folks have myself included is a set of 3 namely 1,2&3 stop filters it covers a lot of situations even moreso when you use 2 of them together. ..


the other thing to consider , what if you buy another lens with a filter thread larger than 52mm ??. do you then buy a second ,larger filter to suit ..

you can get slot in filters including NDs amongst others ,you then buy 1 holder & adaptor rings to suit the lens each adaptor ring costing approx £5..

cokin is 1 make that use this system if you have a look here

http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/main.htm

it will give you a rough idea of what i'm jabbering on about & will probably make more sense.


and here might also help you understand a bit better.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lens-filters.htm
Click to expand...


thanks for that , very useful info

i've ordered the cokin stuff from warehouseexpress
 
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