ND Filters: Venturing into ND territory, which is new to me. Looking at circular as that seems less troublesome. Variable filter like Hoya 3-400 or individual filters 2-4-6-8-etc??

pkgoldberg

Venturing into ND territory, which is new to me. Looking at circular as that seems less troublesome. Variable filter like Hoya 3-400 or individual filters 2-4-6-8-etc?? Presume cheap glass is in the you get what you pay for category.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

Buy the good stuff. A variable if possible, as fiddling through multiple filters might just cause you to miss the shot.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Per an optical engineer at B+W stay away from variable ND filters. They have issues. Those can be overcome, but at the expense of limiting either the density of the filter or the f-stops you can use.

Get good quality. My recommendation is B+W. Their choice of materials is top notch.
--Bob

pkgoldberg wrote:

Venturing into ND territory, which is new to me. Looking at circular as that seems less troublesome. Variable filter like Hoya 3-400 or individual filters 2-4-6-8-etc?? Presume cheap glass is in the you get what you pay for category.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

Hear Hear!!!!!!!! Get the B & W. They just flat out work. I suggest starting with a 6 stop to get the hang of what you are doing. Later you will want the 10 stop.

repleo Loc: Boston

Take a look at the Breakthrough Technology web site even if it is only to read their ND buying guide and to download their excellent 53 page Long Exposure Guide. Lots of good information there and their filters are excellent.

CO

Avoid variable ND filters. They are more likely to alter the colors and will sometimes create a cross effect. I have a 3-stop and a 4-stop Hoya that I use. Those are dark enough for anything I need to do.

Variable ND filter on wide angle lens

(Download)

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

From my perspective, the first ND should be the 6 stop and the next should be the 3 stop. A ten stop has pretty limited use. I made that mistake.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

CO wrote:

Avoid variable ND filters. They are more likely to alter the colors and will sometimes create a cross effect. I have a 3-stop and a 4-stop Hoya that I use. Those are dark enough for anything I need to do.

Not disagreeing with your assessment, but dang, that is a pretty cool photo.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

B&W Don't buy a $2000 lkens and put a POS filter in front

tracs101 Loc: Huntington NY

repleo wrote:

Take a look at the Breakthrough Technology web site even if it is only to read their ND buying guide and to download their excellent 53 page Long Exposure Guide. Lots of good information there and their filters are excellent.

Ditto!

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

I use square ND filters that slide into a filter holder.
That way I can use them with almost any diameter lens
instead of having to buy filters in multiple sizes.
(I have 8 different diameters of lenses- this way I buy one filter
instead of 8 filters.)

I've heard so many stories of people encountering problems
with their variable ND filters that I've avoided going that route.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

pkgoldberg wrote:

Venturing into ND territory, which is new to me. Looking at circular as that seems less troublesome. Variable filter like Hoya 3-400 or individual filters 2-4-6-8-etc?? Presume cheap glass is in the you get what you pay for category.

Here are lots of links, both about using and which are better than others. Like many things in photography, they couldn't come up with a decent naming system. ND filters have two different names, and some have three.

Reviews
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

Etc
https://www.howtogeek.com/325803/how-neutral-density-filters-work-and-how-to-use-them-for-better-photography/
https://improvephotography.com/40253/nd-filters-30-filters-reviewed-compared/
http://www.alexwisephotography.net/blog/2009/07/23/neutral-density-reference-chart/
http://digital-photography-school.com/beginners-guide-buying-filters/
http://digital-photography-school.com/step-by-step-guide-to-long-exposure-photography/
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/neutral-density-filters.htm
http://www.alexwisephotography.net/blog/2009/07/23/neutral-density-reference-chart/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpNtAXbaNr0
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/how-an-nd-filter-can-remove-crowds-from-busy-shots--27054

SonyBug

repleo wrote:

Take a look at the Breakthrough Technology web site even if it is only to read their ND buying guide and to download their excellent 53 page Long Exposure Guide. Lots of good information there and their filters are excellent.

I broke some Breakthrough filters and wrote them. Never got an answer back, so "No customer service" equals "No More Sales" for me.

Jerry G Loc: Waterford, Michigan and Florida

repleo wrote:

Take a look at the Breakthrough Technology web site even if it is only to read their ND buying guide and to download their excellent 53 page Long Exposure Guide. Lots of good information there and their filters are excellent.

Just checked out Breakthrough Technology web site. They are a software company. The sight you want is Breakthrough Photography
https://breakthrough.photography/pages/nd-buying-guide

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I bought a Tiffen set with a 6 ND filter. I wanted to try and play before I spent big bucks. I have that for sale now, as I have upgraded to the Lee ND system.

This is a filter kit with 3 filters. UV protector, circular polarizer and neutral density 0.6 filters. It comes in a easy carry case. It is used, well cared for & all filters are clear of any scratches. It comes with the case and the box. It is a size 77.

Sells on Amazon & B&H for $117. I am asking $65 plus shipping costs.
Photos on request.