Is a filter need to photograph Niagra Falls? I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my...

karenmr

I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my Canon 6Dii. I have been researching polarizer and neutral density filters without being able to make a decision due to lots of conflicting information out there in the web. I really don't want to "blow out" the water in the fallls. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

A Polarizer will definitely help in knocking down the glare from the water. An ND Grad would, under other circumstances, let you expose for the water and not blow out the sky. But, an ND grad would only apply on the shore, not on one of the boat cruises.

Also, skip the museum, it's tacky beyond all belief.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

A Polarizer will definitely help in knocking down the glare from the water. An ND Grad would, under other circumstances, let you expose for the water and not blow out the sky. But, an ND grad would only apply on the shore, not on one of the boat cruises.

Also, skip the museum, it's tacky beyond all belief.

Good advice on all counts. Also, if you want to play around with a tripod and water smoothing, you’ll need that 10 stop ND.

Andy

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

AndyH wrote:

Good advice on all counts. Also, if you want to play around with a tripod and water smoothing, you’ll need that 10 stop ND.

Andy

Now, a 10x ND at Niagra Falls? How f-ing dramatic would that be?

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I found the museum to be interesting.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

karenmr wrote:

I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my Canon 6Dii. I have been researching polarizer and neutral density filters without being able to make a decision due to lots of conflicting information out there in the web. I really don't want to "blow out" the water in the fallls. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?

If you don’t shoot at big noon, you’ll be fine. Use the lowest ISO on your camera and a small aperture. I would recommend a “protection” filter to keep the mist off your lens, even if you don’t use a CPL or ND. Keep a microfibre cloth handy. Park at the Niagara Parks Commission lot at the far end close to the Horseshoe Falls (in Canada).

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

karenmr wrote:

I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my Canon 6Dii. I have been researching polarizer and neutral density filters without being able to make a decision due to lots of conflicting information out there in the web. I really don't want to "blow out" the water in the fallls. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?

Proper exposure will prevent blow out. Meter the white water with your camera's spot meter, and add from 1.3 to 2 stops to expose the water and still retain some detail in the water.

An ND filter will lower the amount of light getting to the sensor, allowing either smaller aperture (for more depth of field) or slower shutter speed (to blur water). You may find that a 5 or 6 stop ND to be enough. A 10 stop will give you "cotton candy" water which may not be to your liking.

A CPL will lose from 1.5 to 2 stops of light, and remove glare, which will result in more saturated images, maybe darker sky, and less reflection off the water. Where you are standing relative to the sun will determine how deep the effect will be.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

A circular polarizer is a must. Also a ND filter. Do bring rain protection for your camera, especially if you do Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist, both of which are well worth doing. The butterfly garden/conservatory is worth doing, also the Peller Estates winery. We had a delightful lunch there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Also, skip the museum, it's tacky beyond all belief.

Thanks for that. : )

hammond

If you want to get that silky-smooth effect of streaming water: which, in my opinion is much cooler for waterfalls, then you'll want an ND filter and a tripod.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

if you go on the Maid of the Mist you will need camera protection of some sort. I even would consider an Olympus TG-5 or 6.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

karenmr wrote:

I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my Canon 6Dii. I have been researching polarizer and neutral density filters without being able to make a decision due to lots of conflicting information out there in the web. I really don't want to "blow out" the water in the fallls. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?

i was at Niagara Falls about a month ago and found the polarizer to be invaluable - especially shooting from the Canadian side. You should not have too many issues with the falls being overexposed because all but the top of the falls are usually in semi shadow due to the mist and the elevation drop.

Not sure if the American side has visible rainbows but the Canadian side shooting horseshoe falls has very bright rainbows from the mist in the late afternoon. The polarizer will really bring out the rainbow colors. If you are shooting near the falls, make sure you have a soft cloth to wipe the lens/polarizer - the mist will leave fine water drops on the lens. Below is an example of the rainbow placement . (not my greatest shot but the only one available to me right now with the rainbow)

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

fetzler wrote:

if you go on the Maid of the Mist you will need camera protection of some sort. I even would consider an Olympus TG-5 or 6.

I used a simple DICAPac wp-s10 for my 5DS and it worked very well. Available for under $60. Though it is supposed to be good for underwater, I don't trust it for submersion. I also modified the setup by removing the front plastic lens of the DICAPac and gaff taped the lens sleeve to the back of a tulip hood. Put a UV filter on the lens and had no issues wiping the lens and quickly shooting. No water ever touched the camera beyond the exposed filter on the lens.

The wp-s10 is also great for dusty or wind blown sand areas on coastlines.

You can get some incredible shots from the Hornblower tours (No longer called the Maid o' the Mist) . I suggest staying on the lower level for better angles and also fewer people getting in the way taking selfies.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Now, a 10x ND at Niagra Falls? How f-ing dramatic would that be?

The last time I was there was away back in "film days", and I didn't even know you could by a 10x. I did some tripod shots, particularly trying to use the smoothed water to outline specific underlying rock features in an interesting way. This is one of those subjects where I think modern digital gear and post-processing technology could be a lot of fun to play with.

Andy

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

karenmr wrote:

I am going to visit Niagra Falls in 2 weeks and am confused as to if I need to use some sort of filter on my Canon 16-35mm lens for my Canon 6Dii. I have been researching polarizer and neutral density filters without being able to make a decision due to lots of conflicting information out there in the web. I really don't want to "blow out" the water in the fallls. Does anyone have any recommendations for me?

Sure, use a 3 stop ND filter (Breakthrough Photography) on a tripod. You will like the results.