Which ND filter? (10 stop)

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sammyc85

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Samantha
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I'm new to all this and really like the day light slow shutter pictures. Waterfalls, sea etc so I'm looking to invest in a ND 10 stop filter. I just don't know where to start?? All the numbers confuse me lol.
I've seen one on eBay which says "Haida pro II MC neutral density filter ND 3.0 10 stop". Would this be suitable? I'm on a budget with it being so close to Christmas this one is £25.99.
 
Hi Samantha,

Like so much photographic equipment, you get what you pay for generally. I've no experience with the filter you mention, but I would strongly advise you to save a bit and get a good brand. Most photographers agree that the best 10 stop by far is the Lee Big Stopper, but you can pay up £150 for that.

Others on the forum have good words to say about the Hi Tech version which is a sort of mid range filter.

Problems you may experience with cheaper brands are colour cast, distortion and flair, non of which is easy to correct in PP.
 
Search the threads there is one about the haida 10 stop. General consensus is it pretty good.
 
Depends, I picked up the screw in B+W one. I have no issues, bit of a red cast but its correctable in post and most likely with a grey card (not got mine yet.)

I guess it depends if you want screw in or slides.
 
I've got that Haida filter. Only had it since last month (Birthday present to myself) but I'm very happy with it. Virtually no colour cast. I don't have any experience of slide in filters but they are probably less hassle than a screw on filter but then you have the added expense of filter holders etc.

I purchased it off Ebay from cguk, delivered pretty quickly:thumbs:
 
Recently bought a Haida PRO II Slim 10 Stop filter (via eBay) from cguk. Recommended. Screwing the filter in does take a little longer than a slide in - but it's nothing in the grand scheme of things.
 
What size filter thread is the lens you are using?

Opinion is divided over which 10 stop filter is best. There are two, the Lee Big Stopper and the B+W ND110. I actually prefer the B+W even if it is not as quick to use, I prefer the output over the Lee.

So, if your lens thread is say 67mm the B+W ND110 might turn out to be not that expensive and you'd be buying one of the best. For a 77mm multi coated B+W then you'd be looking at £130 for example instead of £60 or cheaper.
 
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If you can get the bigger size filter of B+W 10 stops and then step down rings it will be much cheaper option than buying the filter same but for different sizes, but i recommend to go with Lee Big stopper, i bought one and i broke it by mistake even before i un-seal it, so i hope i can return it and have a replacement, but if not then i will buy this filter again and put it in very hard case to protect it.
 
I have the Hitech 10 stop and liked it enough to go and get their 7 stop version as well.
I was going to go with the LEE kit but being like hens teeth I ended up getting the Hitech.

Only a matter of a few weeks ago I had the 10 stop blown out of my hand on stone covered beach, That moment alone made me glad I had the got the Hitech. Short of a small scratch on one edge that cannot be seen as its where its held by the holder there is not a mark on it. My heart went into my throat as it bounced along the stones, If I had got the Lee version I know for a fact that I would have been replacing it.

The colour cast on the 10 stop is not all that bad really and not far from the lee. The 7 stop however had a terrible cast to it, this has been sent back and has been confirmed as faulty and Formatt are sending me a replacement (great service).

I would go with a square filter just to make life easier for when you are wanting to use it with grads.
 
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