ND Filter Strength?
Nov 14, 2019 12:48:26 #
frjeff
Loc: Mid-Michigan
New FZ1000 shooter.
If I can only buy one quality ND filter, what strength would be suggested (4,8,etc). Mostly for waterfalls, etc.
Brand preferences?
If I can only buy one quality ND filter, what strength would be suggested (4,8,etc). Mostly for waterfalls, etc.
Brand preferences?
Nov 14, 2019 13:12:00 #
Only you can determine what you need for your intended shooting situations.
A 10-stop 'big stopper' is too dark to focus, even in full sunlight. With this tool, you have to focus / compose without the filter, add the filter without allowing the camera / lens to refocus and set your exposure and capture, most times in a bulb setting where you use an external control to open and close the shutter against a stopwatch.
A 4- or 6-stop filter might be the best to consider if you only want just one. B+W filters, for screw-in, are my own preference.
A 10-stop 'big stopper' is too dark to focus, even in full sunlight. With this tool, you have to focus / compose without the filter, add the filter without allowing the camera / lens to refocus and set your exposure and capture, most times in a bulb setting where you use an external control to open and close the shutter against a stopwatch.
A 4- or 6-stop filter might be the best to consider if you only want just one. B+W filters, for screw-in, are my own preference.
Nov 14, 2019 13:16:30 #
davidf_logan
Loc: Logan, Utah
I would recommend this
https://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system-seven5
However, cheaper variable ND filters are available. It's hard to suggest just a single filter because conditions change.
https://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system-seven5
However, cheaper variable ND filters are available. It's hard to suggest just a single filter because conditions change.
Nov 14, 2019 13:52:32 #
I use primarily 2 ND filters. A 6 and a 4. Breakthrough Photography - they have a 25 year guarantee. The 6 is my go to for moving water.
Nov 14, 2019 14:39:06 #
I have a complete (almost) set of ND's and GND's hard and soft but the one filter that is always in my bag....The 10 stop.
Nov 15, 2019 06:29:50 #
10stop Nd filter you can’t look through it. I got breakthrough ND filter (10stops....lol) No color cast, no problems I love it
Nov 15, 2019 08:21:32 #
Nov 15, 2019 08:25:33 #
Nov 15, 2019 08:33:28 #
I have a 6 stop and a 3 stop in Breakthrough, but mostly only use the 3 stop. If I need a bit more than that I just stack with a Breakthrough polarizer for an extra 1 1/2 stop. I can also stack the 3 and 6 for 9. When stacking one must to be aware of the possibility of vingetteing and compose with that in mind. I also have a set of Lee square filters that I seldom use unless I need a gradient filter.
In my opinion Breakthrough is making the best filters out there right now. They have less distortion and color cast than any of the high end filters available and their website shows examples.
In my opinion Breakthrough is making the best filters out there right now. They have less distortion and color cast than any of the high end filters available and their website shows examples.
Nov 15, 2019 08:49:54 #
frjeff wrote:
New FZ1000 shooter.
If I can only buy one quality ND filter, what strength would be suggested (4,8,etc). Mostly for waterfalls, etc.
Brand preferences?
If I can only buy one quality ND filter, what strength would be suggested (4,8,etc). Mostly for waterfalls, etc.
Brand preferences?
I would recommend a 10-stop so you can use it in the daylight. I focus with it on the camera in Live View by cranking up the ISO, then returning the ISO to 100 or so before taking the picture. That's much easier and quicker than installing the filter after focusing.
Nov 15, 2019 08:55:29 #
My go to for waterfalls is a 6 stop. If you need really looong exposures, a 10 stop but as others have said, you can't focus with it on there. I try the CPL first depending on how bright it is. Speed of water movement also matters if I go to a 6 stop or a CPL. I use B+W. I also have a filter kit for my 14-24 since it can't take a screw on. It is a pain to transport (have broken a filter, twice), and it takes a lot of time in the field.
Nov 15, 2019 09:37:40 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
Probably a 6 stop is OK in general. I good light even a 13 stop filter might be nice. I did a series with a 10 stop filter and was forced to use f22 at ISO 100.
Nov 15, 2019 10:47:16 #
In-lightened wrote:
My go to for waterfalls is a 6 stop. If you need really looong exposures, a 10 stop but as others have said, you can't focus with it on there...
Yes, maybe you can. Just crank up the ISO so that you can see thru the filter, focus, return the ISO to the desired value, then take the picture. I would think that most cameras will work this way. I do this routinely in Live View with my camera.
Nov 15, 2019 10:49:11 #
davidf_logan
Loc: Logan, Utah
Interesting. I am a fan of Lee Filters (and Joe Cornish) but maybe things have moved on or I am just unaware of the competitors. This looks like a decent review ...
https://www.joshuacripps.com/2017/09/best-neutral-density-filters/
https://www.joshuacripps.com/2017/09/best-neutral-density-filters/
Nov 15, 2019 12:19:16 #
If I were buying today, I would get Breakthrough, and probably the 6 stop. If money was not an issue, I would get the 6 and 10 stop. The size would be the largest to fit your largest diameter lens like 72mm or 77mm (and then use a step down ring for smaller diameter lenses.) Or the square ones to fit attachment systems like those fro Lee and others.
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