Filter Advice (slow shutter in light)

[Gordi]

Going to a car show at the weekend where hopefuly it will be bright and sunny. want to try and get the best photos possible and just wondering what kind of filter is best to dim the rays from the sun down abit? is it a grad filter? also wanting to use it for getting some slow shutter of water during the day. but everytime i knock the shutter speed down the exposure goes right up any adivice on whats best would be great. Looking to buy before the weekend so if anyone knows of any for sale or on ebay let me know

Cheers again

Jord

 

[The Matt]

For slow shutter speeds in bright daylight you need a very strong ND filter, 6, 8 or 10 stops depending on how long you want. The 3 stop cokin ones will produce barely a noticable difference in broad daylight.
used an ND grad if you want to darken the sky but not the ground

 

[Gordi]

OK thanks) what does a UV filter do? seen theses on the internet n cant decide what they are used for.

 

[Arkady]

They reduce the amount of UV light reaching the film/sensor and help cut haze a little - mostly used as a protective 'element' on lenses - better to trash a £15 filter than a £1500 lens...

 

[Gordi]

So for the car show im best off getting a ND Grad filter. and for the slow shutter on water in daylight a ND filter with a high stop value?

 

[The Matt]

It depends exactly what you want to do. What effects are you hoping to get or what problems do you want to overcome at the car show? What shutter speeds do you want to get and what kind of situations do you plan on using them? (evinging vs midday, open air vs shady glens etc...)