ND filter 10 stops how to use. Help please......

Set camera up on solid support with cable/remote release fitted/selected.
Choose the ISO - obviously, you're after longish exposures, so as low an ISO as possible.
Set camera mode to manual.
Set exposure without the filter.
Add 10 stops of exposure time to the metered reading (for each stop, double the time).
Check focus (and switch to MF - maybe even tape the focus ring if possible).
Fit filter and shoot.
Wait for camera to be ready then check the shot and histogram.
Adjust exposure and reshoot if necessary.
 
The way I do it is to set up the shot on the tripod without the filter on, frame, focus and then set the exposure in manual exposure mode (still without the filter). Pop the filter on and then adjust the shutter speed 30 clicks on the adjustment wheel to under expose by 10 stops (as my camera is set up to adjust every one third of a stop).
 
Hey Zoe,

You HAVE to put the camera in full manual mode and set the shutter speed accordingly, if you know how to work out stops (each stop doubles/havles the amount of light) you can meter a scene with the camera in say Av mode. If you put your apperture to say f/16 (good for landscapes) at ISO 200 you might get a shutter speed of 1/200 (for arguments sake)

If you then put these into you camera on manual mode and slap your 10 stop on you will get nothingness (black) this is because you now have to compensate 10 stops of light, with me so far? so all you have to do is add 10 stops either by ISO, Aperture or Shutter, assuming the point of getting it is to go do long exposures we will adjust the shutter. So 10 stops from 1/200 would be:
1. 1/100
2. 1/50
3. 1/25
4. 1/12
5. 1/6
6. 1/3 (for ease we'll say this is 0.5 seconds, I know it's not)
7. 1 second
8. 2 seconds
9. 4 seconds
10 8 seconds

each time you add a stop you are doubling the amount of light going in (keeping ISO and aperture constant)

Geddit? I'm of for a cuppa :)
 
Hi Zoe,

it sounds like maybe the exposure needed was longer than the maximum auto setting on your camera? Most cameras have a mazimum time of 30 seconds with longer exposures requiring the use of Bulb mode and a release of some kind.

Best tip is to meter without the filter, then double the shutter speed ten times (or multiply by 1000). This will tell you the initial "correct" exposure, although it may need tweaking. For example a normally metered shot requiring a shutter speed of 1 second requires 1024 seconds with the 10 stop, or 17minutes and 4 seconds.

your 30 second maximum exposure is no where near long enough, so you need to hold the shutter open with the release in bulb mode. Unfortunately this probably means buying more kit.

hope this makes sense

Chris

***Definately not quick enough :P***
 
Pretty sure there is a video guide on photoanswers.com, could be worth a look
 
raathistle said:
Hi Zoe,

it sounds like maybe the exposure needed was longer than the maximum auto setting on your camera? Most cameras have a mazimum time of 30 seconds with longer exposures requiring the use of Bulb mode and a release of some kind.

Best tip is to meter without the filter, then double the shutter speed ten times (or multiply by 1000). This will tell you the initial "correct" exposure, although it may need tweaking. For example a normally metered shot requiring a shutter speed of 1 second requires 1024 seconds with the 10 stop, or 17minutes and 4 seconds.
your 30 second maximum exposure is no where near long enough, so you need to hold the shutter open with the release in bulb mode. Unfortunately this probably means buying more kit.

hope this makes sense

Chris

***Definately not quick enough :P***
Click to expand...

Haha, and remember if it towards dusk with anything over around 1 minute you will need to compensate for the decrease in light. Too many times have I been beaten by the sun by just doubling an under exposed shot, and ending up with the same amount of underexposure again...:gag:
 
swag72 said:
Yes, but instead of adding 10 stops you only need to add 8. They won't be quite as dark either, so won't allow such long exposures.
Click to expand...

Is an ND8 not 3-stops?
 
ND3.0 is ten stops using the Lee Filters/Hitech method of notation. ND0.9 is a 3 stop.

I believe in Cokin speak an ND8 is 3 stops.
 
I'm confused now...:thinking:

I always thought:
  • ND2 ..... 1 stop.
  • ND4 ..... 2 stops.
  • ND8 ..... 3 stops.

Off to google...:shrug:
 
And ND110 is a B&W 10 stop which I presume is what the OP has just purchased as they seem to be all the rage :D
 
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