LCW ND500 Filter

[rob13]

I've just purchased a Light Craft Workshop ND500 filter for my impending trip to NZ. I've never used one before, understand the basics of it (9 to 10 stops down so need to adjust manually) but just was keen to find out if there is a simple workflow to using one of these i.e take the photo without the filter first then just re-adjust the number of stops (9 up) to get the right photo?

I should have bought one earlier to get some use from it before I go but I've been hankering over the £70 cost of a piece of glass!

 

[vaizki]

I have the ND500 as well and actually my camera (Canon 7D) meters pretty well even with it on! It's about a stop off, sometimes 2.. but you should learn to shoot manual.

The 9 stop ND is letting in 1/(2^9) = 1/512 of the light. That's why the ND500 name. You can meter the scene without the filter, then increase the exposure time 500x to get the right one. So if you are on Manual mode and f/22 with the camera light meter showing a correct exposure at 1/50 second, put the filter on and up the exposure time to 10 seconds (1/50 * 500 = 10).

I've also shot it trial and error. I just start with the Sunny 16 rule.. so f/16 and 1/100s exposure for ISO 100 on a sunny day. Slap on the ND500 and that's 5 seconds for you. Shoot and start adjusting from there with the histogram and blinkies.

 

[HoppyUK]

Don't forget to cover the viewfinder for metering and during the exposure. If it's reasonable bright daylight, you can meter and AF with the filter on, even use live view, but not with very long exposures.

Mine's a bit less than 8.5 stops. I use that as a starting point but always take a few frames and tweak the exposure manually.

Tip: with very long exposures, taking test pictures can be a lengthy business, especially if you've got noise reduction on. For exposure purposes, you can get very close by ramping the ISO right up and turning off NR - saves standing around in the freezing cold for minutes on end