neutral density filters: I have a graduated neutral density filter, but recently read an article about a 10 stop neutral density filter and a 6 stop one. Apparently, these help to make...

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

I have a graduated neutral density filter, but recently read an article about a 10 stop neutral density filter and a 6 stop one. Apparently, these help to make afternoon sun photos do-able.
Are these things gadgets or essentials?

Photofortytwo Loc: England. Now living outside DC

You can use "black glass" to remove any moving object from an image. City street, cars and people moving every where, use black glass to keep them out of your image.

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

Photofortytwo wrote:

You can use "black glass" to remove any moving object from an image. City street, cars and people moving every where, use black glass to keep them out of your image.

Interesting to know, but not what I meant to ask. (Another thing to put on my list)
What I want to know is whether or not neutral density filters, not graduated ones, are useful.
Thanks, though, )))

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

Photofortytwo wrote:

You can use "black glass" to remove any moving object from an image. City street, cars and people moving every where, use black glass to keep them out of your image.

Oops, sorry. I just checked out "black glass" and it looks VERY interesting, possibly an alternative to neutral density filters?

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

francesca3 wrote:

Oops, sorry. I just checked out "black glass" and it looks VERY interesting, possibly an alternative to neutral density filters?

Black glass is a nickname for a 10x ND filter

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

francesca3 wrote:

I have a graduated neutral density filter, but recently read an article about a 10 stop neutral density filter and a 6 stop one. Apparently, these help to make afternoon sun photos do-able.
Are these things gadgets or essentials?

there was a post the other day about a variable neutral density filter that you could dial to the desired density

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

francesca3 wrote:

I have a graduated neutral density filter, but recently read an article about a 10 stop neutral density filter and a 6 stop one. Apparently, these help to make afternoon sun photos do-able.
Are these things gadgets or essentials?

Depends on what / where you shoot. Outdoors in Phoenix, mid-summer, it's a must have. But even good to have when you want to shoot a sunset for a 1 or2 minute exposure. This will allow you to neutralize the foreground and allow only the sun to shine through.

We could go on and on about when they could do for you.

sharonann

I've been thinking about getting a ND filter but I'm not sure about what kind to get. I know that some are more expensive than others. I want to start out at a modest price and see how I like them. Any suggestions?

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

sharonann wrote:

I've been thinking about getting a ND filter but I'm not sure about what kind to get. I know that some are more expensive than others. I want to start out at a modest price and see how I like them. Any suggestions?

Keep in mind that anytime you add glass in front of your lens you remove quality from your photo. For that reason, DON'T BUY CHEAP! if you can't afford the best quality glass, you're better off not buying them.

If you can afford, start in the middle, I have 6 stop, a 8 stop and a 4 stop ND Filter. Depending on what you want to use it for and time of day it is most likely going to be used, start with a 6. I would not buy a variable filter either. Just my opinion, but I don't like stacking these as thats more glass in front of your glass.

sharonann

:) Thanks for the good advice. I'm not even sure about how to use them. I find so many interesting facts and new techniques to explore on this website. Always glad to have help from others!

chaprick

I recently was in a situation where I wished I had an ND filter with me. I wanted to take a picture of a windmill and have the blades show movement. I used f22 at ISO 100 and the scene was so bright (not backlit...just bright), that the shutter speed was still not low enough to blur the blades of the windmill the way I wanted. I remember wishing I had an ND filter or even a polarizer filter with me. I don't think I have had that situation very often.

nokin

I use a variable ND filter since many years and it is a must with my Nikon D7100. The great advantage of the variety of density is that you have not to change your filter depending of the effect you want to give to your photo. I use it to have great colors when I take photos during the sunny time of the midst of the day, when I want motion of waves or waterfalls or when I want to erase moving persons on the photo.
It takes a short time to learn the way and the time to use it. When you rotate the filter(which is two filters, one over the other one), it is important to rotate it in such a way to avoid the "X" on the photo.
Have fun and enjoy the pleasure of using it!

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

nokin wrote:

I use a variable ND filter since many years and it... (show quote)

Well stated - I have used variable ND filters for years with excellent results. Not good with ultra-wide though!

JWiley Loc: Wisconsin

A ND filter was used for this photograph. It takes a few minutes to set up the shoot, but I like the silkiness to the water and the depth of field is great.

(Download)

chaprick

[quote=JWiley]A ND filter was used for this photograph. It takes a few minutes to set up the shoot, but I like the silkiness to the water and the depth of field is great.[/quote

What did the ND filter have to do with DOF? Just wondering why you mention that...