Question about neutral density filters: Hello UHH members. I'm new to UHH. I've been reading the forum so I thought I should join up. I saw that there is an introduce yourself section...

CO

Hello UHH members. I'm new to UHH. I've been reading the forum so I thought I should join up. I saw that there is an introduce yourself section but I didn't see where I could type in information about myself. I have about 25 years of experience in photography. I hope to join in when if I have good information about a topic. I've never had a neutral density filter and that's what I was hoping someone could help me with. I'm thinking about buying a Hoya 4-stop ND filter to use on my Nikon 16-85mm lens with my Nikon D7000. It has a f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture. I was wondering if the ND filter will reduce the light so much that the auto focus sensors will not be able to aquire focus. Will I have to manually focus?

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

nope
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=ND+filter&u=&s=0

Bill73

I would shoot in manual focus only and focus before adding ND filter to lens and then activate the shutter with a cable release if using a tripod which I assume you will be. When I use an ND I shoot in Bulb setting only.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Bill73 wrote:

I would shoot in manual focus only and focus before adding ND filter to lens and then activate the shutter with a cable release if using a tripod which I assume you will be. When I use an ND I shoot in Bulb setting only.

Agree. I always verify focus and then add the ND filter. In lower light, you MAY get a "hunt focus" when on AF. The ability to acquire focus in low light varies with camera models.

You have to be careful that you don't change the focus when adding the filter-- especially if it's a threaded type.

CO

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'll be trying out the techniques you described.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

CO wrote:

I'm thinking about buying a Hoya 4-stop ND filter to use .......

Are you sure you mean 4-stop? The numbering is tricky, with each higher number cutting half the light.
ND2 = 1/2 the light = 1 stop
ND4 = 1/4 the light = 2 stops
ND8 = 1/8 the light = 3 stops
ND16 would give 4 stops, but I don't think anyone makes an ND16.
ND400 = approx. 8 1/2 stops

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

CO wrote:

Hello UHH members. I'm new to UHH.

Welcome to the gang. I hope you'll be happy here.

Bill

CO

OddJobber. Thanks for the information. I checked out the filter on the B & H website again. The one that I've been looking at is the Hoya 67mm Pro 1D 16x (4-stop) Neutral Density Filter
It looks by the description that it matches your information with a 16x being a 4-stop.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

CO wrote:

OddJobber. Thanks for the information. I checked out the filter on the B & H website again. The one that I've been looking at is the Hoya 67mm Pro 1D 16x (4-stop) Neutral Density Filter
It looks by the description that it matches your information with a 16x being a 4-stop.

Just a suggestion: if you have lenses with a larger filter side that you might use the ND, you should consider getting the larger size along with the appropriate step-up ring. I have a 77 ND (for my 10-20 Sigma, but with the 67-77 step-up ring, I can also use it on my 16-85 & my 70-300.

CO

billjohdoittoday wrote:

Welcome to the gang. I hope you'll be happy here.

Bill

Thanks, It looks like people bring up all sorts of interesting photography related topics.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

As far as I know from the top of my head, Lee & HiTech both make a 4 stopper.

As for focussing.
I have a couple of 10 stops (B+W and Lee Big Stopper) to use with my 5D2.
In bright daylight I have no trouble autofocusing through my Lee Big Stopper.
I frequently stack my ND grads and have no trouble autofocusing through 5 stops of stacked filters.

CO

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Just a suggestion: if you have lenses with a larger filter side that you might use the ND, you should consider getting the larger size along with the appropriate step-up ring. I have a 77 ND (for my 10-20 Sigma, but with the 67-77 step-up ring, I can also use it on my 16-85 & my 70-300.

LoneRangeFinder, That's a good idea. I also have the Nikon 70-300mm VRII lens (67mm filter size) and the new Nikon 80-400mm lens (77mm filter size)

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

CO wrote:

LoneRangerFinder, That's a good idea. I also have the Nikon 70-300mm VRII lens (67mm filter size) and the new Nikon 80-400mm lens (77mm filter size)

How do you like the 70-300mm? I just got one with Christmas/Birthday gift card.

CO

lighthouse wrote:

As far as I know from the top of my head, Lee & HiTech both make a 4 stopper.

As for focussing.
I have a couple of 10 stops (B+W and Lee Big Stopper) to use with my 5D2.
In bright daylight I have no trouble autofocusing through my Lee Big Stopper.
I frequently stack my ND grads and have no trouble autofocusing through 5 stops of stacked filters.

lighthouse, that's good to know. I guess the sensitivity of the autofocus sensors makes a difference. I think the AF on my D7000 is rated to work down to a -1 EV light level.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

lighthouse wrote:

As far as I know from the top of my head, Lee & HiTech both make a 4 stopper.

As for focussing.
I have a couple of 10 stops (B+W and Lee Big Stopper) to use with my 5D2.
In bright daylight I have no trouble autofocusing through my Lee Big Stopper.
I frequently stack my ND grads and have no trouble autofocusing through 5 stops of stacked filters.

Lighthouse: which DSLR do you have?