ND filters
Apr 27, 2017 20:42:26 #
So now we have cameras that can have their ISO or ASA changed mid-shoot and we have them old ND (Neutral Density) filters being sold to us as necessary items or given free as part of a camera kit. I ask do we still need them? I have heard that we do but I ask why? Especially when mid-shoot we just change the ISO/ASA to where we need it or we can just put it into automatic mode on the camera body. Too much light well let's just down the ISO to around 50 or 100. In film days it was needed when you had ISO 800 or so in camera and needed to turn down the light coming into the film plane without changing rolls of film mid-roll. We no longer change rolls of film we change the ISO mid-shoot. Can someone really explain the need for ND filters. In some older video/still cameras you may still need it because ISO was sort of an after-thought.
Apr 27, 2017 21:04:55 #
If you want to shoot long exposures (possibly seconds or more) and even the lowest ISO values will not give you the exposure you want then ND filters come to the rescue.
Apr 27, 2017 21:07:45 #
drklrd wrote:
So now we have cameras that can have their ISO or ... (show quote)
We still use them for the same reasons we did way back then with film!
Apr 27, 2017 21:17:15 #
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
I use a graduated ND filter which is very helpful for bright skies.
Apr 28, 2017 03:44:28 #
speters wrote:
We still use them for the same reasons we did way back then with film!
Apr 28, 2017 05:35:13 #
This is one of those 8 page opines. drklrd go to the top of the page and there is search; type in ND Filters and you will have a full day of reading opinions.
Apr 28, 2017 05:44:19 #
drklrd wrote:
So now we have cameras that can have their ISO or ... (show quote)
Simple answer - to decrease shutter speed to show motion (moving water is a typical reason), and/or to use a wider aperture for shallower depth of field, and has already been stated - we use them the same way we did way back when.
Apr 28, 2017 05:57:15 #
drklrd wrote:
So now we have cameras that can have their ISO or ... (show quote)
Aside from special effects, if there is too much light entering the camera, an ND filter will let you avoid changing the camera setting to something extreme. Bright sun on snow is one example.
Apr 28, 2017 06:14:16 #
Apr 28, 2017 06:33:08 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
drklrd wrote:
So now we have cameras that can have their ISO or ... (show quote)
I use ND filters to smooth water flow and clouds. I use a 10 stop ND filter using a 30 second exposure, quite pleasing.
Apr 28, 2017 06:44:06 #
Jeffcs
Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Just because we are in the digital age of photography
Stuff we used for shooting film still works just like it did a hundred years ago
ND filters, polarizing filters, and the like
Stuff we used for shooting film still works just like it did a hundred years ago
ND filters, polarizing filters, and the like
Apr 28, 2017 07:39:34 #
machia
Loc: NJ
I use a graduated Tiffen ( glass ) ND filter . It may be the digital age , but principles of physics as it pertains to light and optics are the same .
Apr 28, 2017 08:15:55 #
dpullum wrote:
This is one of those 8 page opines. drklrd go to the top of the page and there is search; type in ND Filters and you will have a full day of reading opinions.
Apr 28, 2017 08:33:28 #
drklrd wrote:
Can someone really explain the need for ND filters.
A 10 stop filter allows me to shoot wide open at high noon at base ISO.
Apr 28, 2017 08:49:44 #
Smaller sensors require shorter focal length lenses and the absolute aperture sizes are correspondingly smaller also. This is fine if you want a GREATER DOF. But, difficult if you are trying to LIMIT DOF for artistic purposes. So we use ND's to help in this regard on smaller sensors especially as well as slowing the shutter down for artistically blurring motion.
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