ND's in the studio

[Livin The Dream]

i really do need to get some ND's so a couple of questions:

I can't seem to find a video on how the elinchrom 21cm or 18cm ring slot in? There seems to be a filter set (the NDs are part of an expensive set typically) available for the 21cm holder but nothing for the cheaper 18cm ring? I really need to take some power out of my BG light so the 18cm will work fine for this, if there's some filters available?

I also need an ND for the lens, so does a variable ND work as well. I'm not sure whether 4 stops would play havoc with the AF meter in a typical living room? Like the idea of a variable just in case, any drawbacks? A 3 stop is around £30, the 4 stop around £50 for a decent one, variable a bit more.

 

[simonbarker]

If I'm thinking of the same thing the Elinchrom filter holders are actually just the same rings they use for their grids without anything fitted in them, perhaps you mean the accessory holder? If so that's only designed for the 21cm reflector, the side with the springs should just fit around the edge of the reflector.

 

[HoppyUK]

i really do need to get some ND's so a couple of questions:

I can't seem to find a video on how the elinchrom 21cm or 18cm ring slot in? There seems to be a filter set (the NDs are part of an expensive set typically) available for the 21cm holder but nothing for the cheaper 18cm ring? I really need to take some power out of my BG light so the 18cm will work fine for this, if there's some filters available?

I also need an ND for the lens, so does a variable ND work as well. I'm not sure whether 4 stops would play havoc with the AF meter in a typical living room? Like the idea of a variable just in case, any drawbacks? A 3 stop is around £30, the 4 stop around £50 for a decent one, variable a bit more.

You're wanting to shoot at f/1.4 or something? You can sometimes do that by just using the modelling lamps. Elinchroms are quite bright.

With flash that won't turn down low enough, best method is probably to fit an ND filter over the lens, though I find three stops is about the limit before the viewfinder gets too dark. AF should still work okay. Vari-NDs are not recommended, especially the cheap uncoated variety. Being two polarisers in one, there is double the risk of flare and some are prone to sharpness reduction too. They are also next to useless with wide-angles as a dark cross forms across the image at high densities.

To reduce brightness with a small reflector, just stick a sheet of white copy paper over it and turn off the modelling lamp.

 

[Garry Edwards]

As above, except for this

To reduce brightness with a small reflector, just stick a sheet of white copy paper over it and turn off the modelling lamp.

Because a sheet of paper acts as a diffuser, which spreads the light over a larger area, which may not be what you want.

I often use a 0.9 (3 stop) ND filter over the lens, and have no autofocus problems. The lenses I use filters on all have f/2.8 or larger max aperture.

If you want to fit a ND gel over a flash, you don't need any fancy filter holders. Apart from the fact that it's not sensible to cut a sheet of gel down to size, there's no need. Just drape a full sheet over the front and tack it to the reflector with a bit of masking tape, which removes cleanly.

 

[HoppyUK]

As above, except for this
Because a sheet of paper acts as a diffuser, which spreads the light over a larger area, which may not be what you want.

I often use a 0.9 (3 stop) ND filter over the lens, and have no autofocus problems. The lenses I use filters on all have f/2.8 or larger max aperture.

If you want to fit a ND gel over a flash, you don't need any fancy filter holders. Apart from the fact that it's not sensible to cut a sheet of gel down to size, there's no need. Just drape a full sheet over the front and tack it to the reflector with a bit of masking tape, which removes cleanly.

Yes, ND gels are better But paper over the light also absorbs quite a bit of brightness, as well as diffusing it. Before I got some gels I used paper a few times. Tesco Value copy paper reduces brightness by about one stop

 

[Livin The Dream]

You're wanting to shoot at f/1.4 or something? You can sometimes do that by just using the modelling lamps. Elinchroms are quite bright.

With flash that won't turn down low enough, best method is probably to fit an ND filter over the lens, though I find three stops is about the limit before the viewfinder gets too dark. AF should still work okay. Vari-NDs are not recommended, especially the cheap uncoated variety. Being two polarisers in one, there is double the risk of flare and some are prone to sharpness reduction too. They are also next to useless with wide-angles as a dark cross forms across the image at high densities.

To reduce brightness with a small reflector, just stick a sheet of white copy paper over it and turn off the modelling lamp.

Thanks all for your input. The last time I had the reflector and grid on the floor a couple of foot away from the BG I was getting around 2 stops (f16) over the key which was creating too much of a highlight. I shall have a play to see how much a diffuser spreads the light, I have obtained some softbox material so will use that to diffuse.

I usually shoot at f9 or thereabouts, and only need to get down to f2.8 so I think a 3 stop ND will do the job. Thanks for the info Richard on the variable filter, I knew I had read something before about this.