ND and Polarizing Filters: My question is when using either a Polarizing or Neutral Density Filter , to get the correct effect , must I compensate for the exposure ? Most Polarizers...

machia Loc: NJ

My question is when using either a Polarizing or Neutral Density Filter , to get the correct effect , must I compensate for the exposure ?
Most Polarizers cause a 1.5 stop drop off in light , so should shutter speed be reduced 1-2 stops ?
In other words , if I leave the exposure alone , the filter will reduce glare , but will not be exposed correctly ? I know that a 10 stop ND has to be compensated for but I'm not 100 % sure about the polarizer as I have seen so many ideas on exposure compensation concerning them . I've only used a Polarizer on occasion and just used it to reduce glare , so I'm in unfamiliar waters here . I'd like to use an ND filter but thought it might be a good idea to ask about exposure compensation before I purchase and use one . Thank you in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this . Pun intended !
Thank you .

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

yes.

repleo Loc: Boston

machia wrote:

My question is when using either a Polarizing or N... (show quote)

The main reasons for using an ND filter is to either allow a wider aperture to reduce dept of field or alternatively to allow a longer exposure to create motion blur, so yes you will want to change the exposure compared to an unfiltered 'proper' exposure. Polarizers can be used to bring out more detail in the sky so compensating fully for the drop in light may negate the benefit of using the polarizer (I think).

Be careful with the term 'exposure compensation'. If you mean the EV +/- dial, there will be many who will say that it only adjusts the light meter and not the settings. On my A6000 the effect of the EV+/- dial depends on the mode the camera is in. If I am in aperture priority the dial will change the shutter speed until it gets down to 1/100 and then it will boost the ISO which may not be what you want. The dial is not available in full manual mode.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

You will have to compensate for the filter with either a longer exposure or a wider aperture. You would meter with the filter installed except for the 10 stop ND, with that you would have to increase the exposure time by 10 stops and then take a look and see how well it did.

Whitbyrover Loc: Lincolnshire, UK

The meter on your camera automatically compensates for the increased exposure unless you are in manual mode. By indicating the increased exposure on the filter it's advising on how much exposure will be lost.

whitewolfowner

Until you understand how these filters affect your exposure, put your camera in either aperture or shutter priority (which ever one you want to control) and let the meter do its thing. You can then remove the filter to see the change the meter makes. Then you will understand the change filter is making. The neutral density filter should always make the same change where the circular polarizer will vary depending how much of it you dial in.

machia Loc: NJ

Thanks to all here . I think I got it now .
Example : if a 3-stop ND indicates a 60th of a second shutter speed on my meter w/ filter on , I should shoot at 250th ? Am I on the right track here ?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

machia wrote:

Thanks to all here . I think I got it now .
Example : if a 3-stop ND indicates a 60th of a second shutter speed on my meter w/ filter on , I should shoot at 250th ? Am I on the right track here ?

Just go by what the meter tells you; no need to further compensate.

machia Loc: NJ

machia wrote:

Thanks to all here . I think I got it now .
Example : if a 3-stop ND indicates a 60th of a second shutter speed on my meter w/ filter on , I should shoot at 250th ? Am I on the right track here ?

Opppps ! I meant 1/15th . I calculated the wrong way . This would be for a 3 stop ND . Actually could even be an 8th of a second ?

machia Loc: NJ

rook2c4 wrote:

Just go by what the meter tells you; no need to further compensate.

On a 3 stop ND ? A 10 stop ND as well ? I read so many things about exposure compensation , it's all a bit confusing . I'm not familiar with using filters . Thank you for your reply .

whitewolfowner

machia wrote:

On a 3 stop ND ? A 10 stop ND as well ? I read so many things about exposure compensation , it's all a bit confusing . I'm not familiar with using filters . Thank you for your reply .

You are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Go by your meter as you have been told. If you want to understand it; record your exposure with and without the filters and soon you will see the correlation. do some reading on exposures and a how shutter speed and f-stop relate to each other.

Bill_de Loc: US

When reading about compensation for filters you need to be sure you know what kind of meter the author is referring to.

In most cases you can go by the meter in your camera, because it is reading the light coming through your camera lens with the filter attached.

With a hand held meter you typically take a reading and then adjust your exposure by the filter factor.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

whitewolfowner wrote:

You are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Go by your meter as you have been told. If you want to understand it; record your exposure with and without the filters and soon you will see the correlation. do some reading on exposures and a how shutter speed and f-stop relate to each other.

machia Loc: NJ

whitewolfowner wrote:

You are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Go by your meter as you have been told. If you want to understand it; record your exposure with and without the filters and soon you will see the correlation. do some reading on exposures and a how shutter speed and f-stop relate to each other.

Thank you . Appreciate your advice . Nothing like experimentation to get the results you want . You're right , thanks .

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

No, as previously stated the camera's meter will compensate for a 3 stop nd filter.

machia wrote:

Thanks to all here . I think I got it now .
Example : if a 3-stop ND indicates a 60th of a second shutter speed on my meter w/ filter on , I should shoot at 250th ? Am I on the right track here ?