WHat ND filter for 30-180 seconds

Sunny 16..
ISO100, f/16, 1/100

30 seconds
15
8
4
2
1
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
1/64
1/128

So about 12-stops to 30 seconds, 13-stops to 60 seconds. Either a big stopper, or a welding glass filter.

But really, 30 seconds is overkill for most running water shots. For the sea it's useful, for waterfalls and rivers you'd rarely need over 1 second (7 stop) and 1/4 second can be enough (5 stop).
 
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Even an ND3 (10 stop) filter won't give you much more than about 30 seconds on a bright day, even at your lowest ISO setting.
I can't imagine anything that would give a three minute exposure, except by exposing at night.
ND 3.0 has a light transmission of 0.10%
Filter Factor 1000x
Exposure Correction -10 stops.
If you want a screw-in type, I'm using and can recommend, the Heliopan ND3 filter. It's well made, has a brass mount and exhibits minimal colour shift.
The biggest problem with using this type of screw-in filter is that you are constantly screwing it off and on when you reframe a shot.
A lot of people use and recommend the Lee "Big Stopper" but these are sometimes hard to find and expensive, especially if you need to buy the mounting hardware as well.
 
timboellis said:
How about a variable one that would save the unscrewing / screwing of the filter?
Click to expand...

Don't worry, it's not going to cause your fingers to fall off.
 
I've tried a cheap (7DayShop) variable ND and the results were rubbish (I got my money back).
I notice that 7DayShop don't advertise them any more.

Example:
e3zy.jpg


This patterning is apparently typical of the cheap variable ND filters.
Some people have reported good results from the more expensive variable ones, but I wanted as long exposure as possible, for the blurred water effect, so I stumped up for a good quality, fixed version.
I haven't got any results that are worth showing from the fixed one, but it shows even exposure across the frame and a minimal (if any) colour shift, which some are supposed to suffer from.

Remember the old adage - Buy cheap - buy twice.
 
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timboellis said:
So roughly what do i expect to spend on a reasonable ND filter?

Or brand / model?
Click to expand...

I believe your R1 uses 67mm filters?

The Heliopan ND3 in 67mm fitting is £47 + vat.
A Hitech variable (which I believe is one of the better ones) in 67mm is £103.
You may find a better deal on eBay, but stick to a known brand (B&W, Hoya)

There's quite a good article here on choosing ND filters which may be of some help to you http://www.lenscraft.co.uk/training/160.html

A decent ND filter is not cheap, especially if you only use it a handful of times a year.
Remember those "misty water" shots are really common, and can become a bit of a stereotype very easily. It's hard to produce an original approach to their use.
 
Brian G thanks for all your sugestions thats exactly what i need.

Yeah its just a think i always wanted to try, there are a few places I was to try this hence not wanting to spend too much but think i will go for the Heliopan

Cheers

Tim
 
Thanks,

I got my Heliopan from Teamwork Photo & Digital in London.
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/
The pricing on their website is a little confusing, since sometimes it includes VAT and sometimes not.
The Heliopan series seem to be pretty good, German made, similar to B&W (brass mount, Schott glass) but at a lower price.
I find the case is a bit fiddly to open but it's sturdy and provides good protection when the filter is not in use.
 
I just got this from a place that I've dealt with in the past.

It might be worth considering for an economical approach if you just wanted to try out the long exposure thing without spending a lot of money.
It seems to be a new product, otherwise I would have considered it myself.
http://www.srb-griturn.com/nd1000-filters-1000-c.asp

The reason they are cheap is because they are made of some kind of resin (= plastic?) material, rather than glass, but I understand their filters are optically pretty good.
Cokin square filters are made of a similar material and they are generally considered OK optically.

Forgot to mention, enter code CAM10 for an extra 10% discount at checkout.
 
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