ND Lens Filter: I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've...

Paul Eveleth

I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've been searching the internet but can't find a seemingly good option. Thanks in advance.

NickGee Loc: Pacific Northwest

Is it neutral density or polarizing filter that you want? Choices for both are abundant and they're easily obtained, either through the manufacturer or shops like B&H. Personally, I stay with Breakthrough filters but there are many other brand favorites you'll hear about on this thread.

Paul Eveleth

Neutral density.

NateB

Paul Eveleth wrote:

I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've been searching the internet but can't find a seemingly good option. Thanks in advance.

Fixed or variable? If you want my opinion, variable would probably be your best option.
Brand: I’d recommend B+W, but I’m not sure what your price limit is. B+W tends to be rather high-priced (made in Germany, so we’re talking super quality), but if you want something cheaper, K&F Concept is another good brand with much lower price tags

NickGee Loc: Pacific Northwest

Paul Eveleth wrote:

Neutral density.

I ask because one normally handles glare using a polarizing filter. An ND filter will of course cut the amount of light to the lens but that may not solve your glare issue.

I'm not clear why you're not finding "good options" as you put it. There are abundant options in all filter types. Is it the size you're having difficulty with? Breakthrough produces 72mm filters, as do most (if not all) other filter manufacturers.

Paul Eveleth

by options, I meant conflicting recommendations.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

An ND filter will reduce overall exposure, but it won't necessarily reduce "glare". A polarizer might reduce glare. If you just want to reduce exposure, you can reduce ISO, or reduce aperture or increase shutter speed. Even if you want a large aperture to blur the background you can probably do it with aperture or shutter speed.

NateB

NickGee wrote:

I ask because one normally handles glare using a polarizing filter. An ND filter will of course cut the amount of light to the lens but that may not solve your glare issue.

I'm not clear why you're not finding "good options" as you put it. There are abundant options in all filter types. Is it the size you're having difficulty with? Breakthrough produces 72mm filters, as do most (if not all) other filter manufacturers.

Agreed, polarising filter is the first thing I’d recommend for glare. As to the brand(s), I just mentioned brands I’ve tried, haven’t ever used Breakthrough, but I’m sure it’s good too.

User ID

Paul Eveleth wrote:

I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've been searching the internet but can't find a seemingly good option. Thanks in advance.

Thaz not gonna work. I fear youve been reading too much UHH. Seems to be an absence of any grasp of the basics here.

Hawgsterland features waaay too many seemingly serious heated "discussions" concerning ND filters. Majority of those participants lack a much better grasp of photographic principles than you have.

For the forseeable future youd do better forgetting you ever heard of ND filters, especially considering the likely source.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Glare is not well defined as a term we can help with. If you mean surface reflecting sheen, then you definitely need polarization. If you mean too much light, and merely reducing the amount of it, then it takes neutral density. If you mean you need a hat with a large bill to keep the "glare" out of your eyes, then your lens likely needs a hood or some form of direct sun blocking device.

Breakthrough are the best, but you likely are not to the point where you could tell the difference.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Paul Eveleth wrote:

Neutral density.

I think his point is that an ND filter reduces light whereas a polarizing filter can reduce glare.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Paul Eveleth wrote:

I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've been searching the internet but can't find a seemingly good option. Thanks in advance.

Tiffen makes good ones, and B&H offers K&F filters, they are inexpensive and work well, you should check them out.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=72mm%20ND%20filters&sts=ma

K&F are also featured on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=72mm+nd+filter&crid=2OQ4SHO6SQZ3C&sprefix=72+mm+ND+filter%2Caps%2C142&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15

To be honest I have also bought ND filters from Amazon and have been more than pleased. Contrary to popular belief inexpensive ND filters for amateurs work very well and should be considered.
The image below was shot with a good, inexpensive K&F ND filter.

Bill_de Loc: US

Paul Eveleth wrote:

I need a recommendation for a ND filter to be used on a Nikon wide angle 72mm Z6 lens. My objective is to reduce the amount light (glare) on bright sunny days. I've been searching the internet but can't find a seemingly good option. Thanks in advance.

To reduce glare I believe a polarizer 'could be' the way to go, depending on what is causing the glare.

ND filters come in various densities. You might need more than one varying the densities depending on what conditions are where/when you are shooting.

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BebuLamar

User ID wrote:

Thaz not gonna work. I fear youve been reading too much UHH. Seems to be an absence of any grasp of the basics here.

Hawgsterland features waaay too many seemingly serious heated "discussions" concerning ND filters. Majority of those participants lack a much better grasp of photographic principles than you have.

For the forseeable future youd do better forgetting you ever heard of ND filters, especially considering the likely source.

I don't even touch the ND filter. I keep thinking how much money I have to spend to get the extra half stop of light and I want use an ND to cut it down?

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

BebuLamar wrote:

I don't even touch the ND filter. I keep thinking how much money I have to spend to get the extra half stop of light and I want use an ND to cut it down?

Sometimes you do. It happens if you want to take a long exposure and there is too much light for that. Other times you may want that extra stop or two that a much more expensive lens can give you.