Bruce H Loc: Oregon Coast

Anyone here doing long exposure using black glass? This evening I went down to the sea using a .9 and a 1.8 ND filters (first try). This reduced my light about 9 stops but I never could get my exposure over 4 seconds. Wasn't all that bright. I am reading on the internet about 10 minute exposures using a 3.0 filter (10 stops) mid day, how is this possible? My ND value I wasn't that far off, or so I thought. What am I missing? Hoya makes a 2.7 (9 stops) filter which I thought I'd buy if I can't make this combination work.

I set the camera manually using the light meter in camera, centered not under exposed or over exposed. My photos turned out under exposed. I'd guess the white surf might have had something to do with this although it was really grey and not white like snow. I might have to add some shutter time to fix that, not sure about how much? I wasn't happy with what I shot. Does anyone have some insight? If you have some examples please post them.

camera is a 5D with 27-70 f2.8 lens. these RAW photos were taken at ISO 100, F16, 3.2 seconds at 24mm, .9 and 1.8 ND filter on together, 9 stops, manual exposure, cable release. I'd like a longer exposure creating softer water.

heltonjkv96 Loc: southwest Virginia

If you go to about f/32 or as far as the lens allows you can get longer exposure!

Bruce H Loc: Oregon Coast

F22 is it on this lens. more ND might be the only answer. don't see how 10 minutes is possible.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

very nice, like #2 better cause you can see detail in the rocks. Pardon my old decrepit mind, but Im not familiar with the term black glass. sounds like a heavy metal big hair band from the 1980"s!

ephraim Imperio

Yeah! What is 'black glass"?

jkaye65 Loc: Chico, CA

Some of those long exposures are using an ND400.

twowindsbear

perhaps your camera has a maximum exposure time?

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

Definitely like #2 better. Too much detail lost in #1. Could also try HDR.

DavidT Loc: Maryland

With the Canon 5D, you can adjust the ISO to "L" which is 50. That will get you to a 6.4 second shutter speed.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

No, I did not but if you want a looooong exposure, use two rotating polarizing filters and you can go from no difference to total blackness.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

That would be a really long exposure.

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

I'm not that familiar with Canons but there is no bulb setting?

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

Bulb? What for? this is a midday picture essay.

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

I don't understand your comment Englishwolf. Mid day meaning? My question is, can you not set the camera so the shutter is open as long as the release is pressed? I have never seen a camera, either digital or analog, of any reasonable quality, where you couldn't open the shutter for what ever time span you wish.

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

Doesn't matter that it is mid day, overcast,ND filters, there is still too much light for a really long exposure. Early morning before the sun comes up or in the evening before dark is a good time for long exposure photography. The less light the longer the exposure needs to be. Try photographing the scene at night using the full moon as your only light source ( moon not included in the photo ). With lens stopped down to f16, try exposing for 8-10 minutes. Use this time as a starting point. Make sure your batteries are fully charged.