KG

Last night, I decided to try using neutral density filters on sunny days when using fill flash.

The idea is that by using an ND filter I would be able to open up aperture and take pictures with shallower DOF without having to use high speed sync (and waste flash power).

I did some reading to confirm my thoughts , and decided that I really need to get myself a 3-stop filter. No need for variable density. 3 stops would be just what I need according to my metering of a typical situation in which I would be using it. I decided to settle on a filter from B+W.

Unfortunately, we are traveling around in Italy right now. Well, that's not the unfortunate part. The unfortunate part happens to be the fact that I got the urge to buy an ND filter at a time when we were staying in a small town with only one (smallish) photography/video store.

They only had two filters in stock. One was a 6-stop B+W, and the other one was a 2-stop Marumi.

6 stops is way too much for me. So I decided to get the one made by Marumi.
Although I never heard about that brand before, the "Made in Japan" sign (along with the fact that there wasn't any alternative at the moment) encouraged me to get it.

Here is the result of a little test. Both shots were taken with a Canon 17-55 (with a hood) on a 7D on a tripod with a remote shutter. Bright daylight with a fill flash (CTO gel).

The shots are a bit overexposed. No post processing. Straight-from-camera JPG.

Sadly, I only got a chance to look at the pics on a larger screen later in the day. We are in another town now. Too far away to drive back just to return the filter.

The first shot was taken without a filter. The second one is with Marumi ND4X.

I guess that's what happens when you stick a $60-piece of glass in front of an $1100-piece of glass.

No filter.


With Marumi ND4X neutral density filter


Crop. No filter.


Crop. With Marumi ND4X neutral density filter.

saxkiwi Loc: New Zealand

I dont see what youre complaining about really. It is acceptable. I mean what do you expect when your putting any light cut out filters on the lens it going to change the result somewhat. I dont think it would be much different with an expensive filter..

darren_searle Loc: Brisbane Australia

I personally prefer the colour in shot with the filter... Pity about softer focus with the filter.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Oh...that's too bad...I have a B&W and have been happy with it...though I've never done what you've done; shot with none-shot with filter-crop and check...maybe I should.

Well...on the bright side...it was only 60.00...not 260.00 :)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I don't think it's that bad, only if you have the unfiltered shot to compare would you notice anything, you wanted to change the look right? Bob.

tyronet2000 Loc: Northumberland UK

They look ok to me as holiday snaps which I assume they are. The camera never lies about the person behind it :)

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I wish all my pics were as good as yours - with or without the filter.

richnash46 Loc: Texas

I don't see much difference between the shots other than the filtered shots being a bit softer. Believe me, it could be a LOT worse!

KG

LOL. Do you mean to tell me that my hat naturally emanates this bluish cast?
That must be one magical hat I got :)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'm 52 and I can see how much softer the shot is with the filter...definitely unacceptable...not to mention the blue CA on your hat.

Possibly this is why so many blurry pictures get dubbed "awesome sharp shot!" here on the 'hog ...everyone's eyes are so bad that everything looks ok :)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

That was the main thing I spotted that I could not explain away, still not so bad

mdeman Loc: Damascus, Maryland

Since you've stripped the EXIF data, what were the apertures for the two pictures? I know that some filters contribute to chromatic aberration, but isn't that also an effect from larger aperture, too? Did you adjust with aperture or shutter speed?

You're in a beautiful place. Sorry you had equipment problems. No fun.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Are you sure it isn't reflected light. Your hat looks blown out, and it might be reflecting just enough to bounce between the lens and filter. I get softer focus using about any filter. When possible, I'm one of those old school dudes that prefers no filter, not even for protection. Why add more glass if you don't need it? There is a such thing as being careful.

I have lenses that are probably older than you, and still no scratches.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I like the effect it had on your smile.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I also don't see a problem. The last pics have the background out of focus which was probably the result of closer focus, focal length, apertue, or a combination of those factors. Any color shift can be easily corrected. I didn't even know you could get a 6X ND. I call that a lens cap. LOL!