ND Filters

cowasaki

cowasaki

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I want to take some pictures of a stream in the local park under a canopy of trees with a long exposure. I now understand that I will need to use an ND filter in order to get the exposure time to 15-30 seconds and obviously use a tripod (and remember to take my wellies) but I have looked at ND filters and there are lots of different amounts. What should I be looking at for the above shot or am I better off getting a set?
 
Its always tough to say, and without being able to play around with a few it may be hard to make the right choice. You might do well with a set, then you have more for other occasions etc. It does sound quite shaded from your description so you might not need a very strong ND filter, but still hard to say :(
 
Oh and if I get a set what range of values should I look for. I am thinking of getting one of the adapters to use the square filters so that I can just get a different adapter for each lens and use the same filters. Otherwise I am going to end up with the same filter over and over again.
 
You will need to combine a ND filter with time of day to reduce the light if you want exposures that long.

Something like the Cokin P system will give you flexibility
This shows the holder, mounting ring, ND plain and ND graduated filters.
filters.jpg


Oh and I moved the thread to equipment. The photos section is for photos :)
 
I've used the cokin ND grad filters - and they're not neutral - you get a slight purple tinge at times

I don't know about the normal ND filters

I've had better results with hitech filters

In terms of strength, they usually come as

0.3 - lets in half amount of light
0.6 - a quarter
0.9 - an eighth

you can combine them - so a 0.6 and 0.9 would be equivalent to 1.5 - letting in 1/32 the amount of light (if my maths is right)

Have you got a polariser - they're usually equivalent to the 0.6 - it'll affect reflections but will give you an idea if the strength is right
 
glynjones said:
Have you got a polariser - they're usually equivalent to the 0.6 - it'll affect reflections but will give you an idea if the strength is right
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I have but I haven't used it yet but I will give it a try. It seems a shame about the cokin filters as I was going to look at that as an option so I can use the same filters over and over on different lenses.
 
cowasaki said:
It seems a shame about the cokin filters as I was going to look at that as an option so I can use the same filters over and over on different lenses.
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Or just get the larger size round screw-in filter and some step rings for your other lenses.
 
Chillimonster said:
Or just get the larger size round screw-in filter and some step rings for your other lenses.
Click to expand...

I thought about that but wouldn't it stop me re-attaching my lens cover whilst the filter is fitted or would I need a spare large cover!
 
cowasaki said:
I thought about that but wouldn't it stop me re-attaching my lens cover whilst the filter is fitted or would I need a spare large cover!
Click to expand...

i have a combo of 67 / 72 / 77mm lenses, so i just get 77mm filters. i also have just 77mm lens caps (not expesive) and use them istead of the original ones.
 
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