Neutral density filter (Page 3): I am surprised that no one mentioned the Lee neutral density and graduated filters. All my filters, with the exception of CPL are Lee. I realize that...

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I am surprised that no one mentioned the Lee neutral density and graduated filters. All my filters, with the exception of CPL are Lee. I realize that the question was asked from a relative beginner but the response will be read by more experienced readers.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I have never like Lee filters. Give me decent glass every time, that fit the lens, instead of scratchable plastic squares...

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

I use the Lee Big Stopper and the Lee little stopper, they are pricy but no colorcast, made of high quality glass(I recommend getting a filter holder to hold them as they are easy to break and scratch if not handled properly

Noledge wrote:

Hi to all

I wonder which ND filter You would recommend and from which manufacturer ?

I am interested in a filter that would enable me to shoot waterfalls and waves with long shutter speeds to get that silky smooth look.

Best regards

Kenneth

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I went with el cheapo Kenko ND400 and have been totally satisfied with the results.

(Download)

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

I got a green color cast when I had them, for some reason Lee seems the clearest I have tried but I am betting there are others out there that do the job. I use them sparingly to create that nice creamy smooth effect in water and skies

kymarto wrote:

I went with el cheapo Kenko ND400 and have been totally satisfied with the results.

John Geyer

Why not use a polarizer, circular polarizer even better, you get up to 2 stops ND and also cut glare on all but metallic surfaces. Buy to fit largest filter size in your lenses and use adapter rings to fit smaller diameter filter sizes. Buy best pola filter you can afford as you only need one.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Color casts take about three seconds to correct in Photoshop. Even in camera AWB should take care of them if you shoot jpg.

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Don't shoot jpg, I know can be adjusted and when these get damaged if ever wont buy a new one, have had these for quite awhile now and its fun to play with them.

kymarto wrote:

Color casts take about three seconds to correct in Photoshop. Even in camera AWB should take care of them if you shoot jpg.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

John Geyer wrote:

Why not use a polarizer, circular polarizer even better, you get up to 2 stops ND and also cut glare on all but metallic surfaces. Buy to fit largest filter size in your lenses and use adapter rings to fit smaller diameter filter sizes. Buy best pola filter you can afford as you only need one.

Pol filters are great if all you need is -2 stops. If you need more they are useless.

fotonut

My favorite for about 15 years or so has been Lee filters. But they " ain't " cheap. Second is Hoya with a large selection / price range.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

davidrb wrote:

Realize that ND filters are only needed for this under very bright sunlight. I just spent a week shooting waterfalls and waves and never used an ND filter once. Was still able to get water-to-taffy look with no problems. Work your exposure and get the shutter speed very slow. Aperture is your best friend but ISO can be important also in doing this.

The problem will come in when you're trying to blur a background and need to be either wide open or close to it. In bright sun you may quickly hit the speed limit to soften the water.
But yes, often a small aperture, slow ISO alone will get the job done if the background is not an issue.
SS!

TheDman Loc: USA

SharpShooter wrote:

The problem will come in when you're trying to blur a background and need to be either wide open or close to it. In bright sun you may quickly hit the speed limit to soften the water.
But yes, often a small aperture, slow ISO alone will get the job done if the background is not an issue.
SS!

Don't know that I've ever taken a waterfall shot where I wanted to blur the background.

John Geyer

Lower the iso and pola has served in all types of pro sports photography for 30+ years but I guess you have other challenges.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

rmalarz wrote:

Kenneth, without a doubt I'd recommend B+W filters, which ever you purchase. What I'd recommend against, discussed this with a B+W tech, is the variable ND filter. As to which you'd need, that is something you'd have to decide for yourself. Personally, I think you could do well with their 3,0 filter.
--Bob

I concur. Though I prefer the newer Hoya filters, I've had two variable ND filters and found both unsatisfactory. B+W is excellent, but (IMHO) overpriced. Hoya is a preferred supplier to many hi-tech laboratories. Their latest offerings are almost completely reflection free but also shed dirt and hand oils.

wattsimages

I have owned many Neutral density filters. From various screw on types all the way up to the largest square filters (150mm for my Nikon 14-24)
and very recently I discovered a new brand called NISI. I can't tell you how impressed I am with this filter. It creates very little vignetting, because it is so then. also it has a very slippery coating so when you're photographing waterfalls the water droplets wipe away easily. one other thing to consider, it's glass. That means it's hard and will not scratch as easily. Whatever glass they use is also very strong. On a trip to Oregon I accidentally dropped the filter, it landed directly on the corner and I expected to pick up a shattered mess. However all you did was create a tiny little chip.

the other advice I can give you is to buy your filters from 2Filter.com. I been using these guys for years they know what they're doing. If you have questions just give them a call and you will get good straightforward advice.

http://www.2filter.com/cgi-2filter/sb/productsearch.cgi?storeid=*101fb218ae07c0417f56&search_field=nisi