How to use ND filters

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tarik2d

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Tarik
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How do you use ND filters, I know rougly what they do, i have a set of Soft ND filters on their way.

So far what i know is a bit sketchy. Something about having to take a reading of the ground and then of the sky and then that helps u decide what filter u need.

If anyone can clear this up for me that would be great or if you have any links that i could read up on, had a look but couldnt find much.

All the Best

Tarik
 
cheers for that :)

When it says check the sky and the land and depending on the stop difference, what does that mean? So you put ** camera on Programmed Auto, and for example, the Fnumber is 4.5 for the land and the sky is F8 just for example, that would roughly be a 4 stop different? is that right
 
If you don't know how to use them why buy them?

Read first, then splash the cash, or am I being a grumpy old man?
 
tarik2d said:
cheers for that :)

When it says check the sky and the land and depending on the stop difference, what does that mean? So you put ** camera on Programmed Auto, and for example, the Fnumber is 4.5 for the land and the sky is F8 just for example, that would roughly be a 4 stop different? is that right
Click to expand...

No, 4.5 to 8 is between 1 and 2 stops difference (actually 1 2/3)
 
How would these work on say a kit lens? , as the end of the lens turns all the time? , i could end up with the dark bit of the filter on the bottom?

Matt
 
tarik2d said:
cheers for that :)

When it says check the sky and the land and depending on the stop difference, what does that mean? So you put ** camera on Programmed Auto, and for example, the Fnumber is 4.5 for the land and the sky is F8 just for example, that would roughly be a 4 stop different? is that right
Click to expand...

Personally, I would meter on manual. If the ground reading is, for example, f/4 and the sky reading is f/11, then that is 3 stops. You set up the camera as per the ground meter reading and insert an ND 8 which is a 3-stop filter.
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
If you don't know how to use them why buy them?

Read first, then splash the cash, or am I being a grumpy old man?
Click to expand...

i would say you are more likely to learn how they work by using them, rather than reading about them.

personally I am glad there are people here asking daft questions, because it saves me from having to ask them. :p
 
Heres a daft question, when u say about 'f stops', i've tried googling a definition for it but still not dont get it. What does it actually mean, why do they go up 2.8, 4, 8, 11 etc, i dont get it
 
tarik2d said:
Heres a daft question, when u say about 'f stops', i've tried googling a definition for it but still not dont get it. What does it actually mean, why do they go up 2.8, 4, 8, 11 etc, i dont get it
Click to expand...

F stops usually go up in 1/3rd of a stop increments, rather than a whole stop. ;)
 
tarik2d said:
Heres a daft question, when u say about 'f stops', i've tried googling a definition for it but still not dont get it. What does it actually mean, why do they go up 2.8, 4, 8, 11 etc, i dont get it
Click to expand...

To increase by a whole 'stop' of light means you double the area through which light can pass, the scale used to denote aperture, the f-scale, is proportional to the diameter of the area.

Given that the area of a circle is equal to PI*the radius^2 (PI-r-squared) - to double the area you need to multiply the f-stop by 1.4
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
If you don't know how to use them why buy them?

Read first, then splash the cash, or am I being a grumpy old man?
Click to expand...

Very grumpy!

That's like saying make sure you know how to use a DSLR before you buy one! Chicken and egg!

What is an ND filter anyway ;) ?
 
Isnt tarik talking about ND filters not ND grads so metering both sky and landscape wouldnt be needed? Surely thats only for ND grads as ND filters only change the exposure over the entire shot. Or have i missed something?
 
PDub said:
Isnt tarik talking about ND filters not ND grads so metering both sky and landscape wouldnt be needed? Surely thats only for ND grads as ND filters only change the exposure over the entire shot. Or have i missed something?
Click to expand...

You can't have a soft ND (as there is no graduation to be hard or soft) so I assumed he meant an ND Grad with a soft transition
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
You can't have a soft ND so I assumed he meant an ND Grad with a soft transition
Click to expand...

ND grads are not really graduated. They have a clear area and a uniform darkened area.

Soft or hard refers to the way the transition from clear to darkened is handled.

Hard is almost an immediate changeover and soft fades in over a few millimetres.


Steve.
 
PDub you picked up on the same as me, was thinking what about the fact he said soft. Might be some flexible filter for anyone knows.
So we are taking it to be ND Grads
I wonder where the OP knows why he has bought them let alone asking how to use them.
Join a club and lean.
By the way I never use them as I don’t find may horizon that are level all the way across my framing, shoot in RAW make two TIFFS and blend in PS
 
Steve Smith said:
ND grads are not really graduated. They have a clear area and a uniform darkened area.

Soft or hard refers to the way the transition from clear to darkened is handled.

Hard is almost an immediate changeover and soft fades in over a few millimetres.


Steve.
Click to expand...

I know thank you. Read my quote again.

There is no such thing as a soft ND so the OP may have meant a soft ND grad with soft refering to the transition between light and dark
 
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