ND filter info/recommendations
Jun 22, 2015 18:00:40 #
I am confused. What does "4x filter factor + 2 stops" mean when referring to ND filters. I am told an ND with a filter factor of 6 is best if only buying one, but I'm not sure which manufacturer makes the best one.
Jun 22, 2015 18:03:12 #
Jun 22, 2015 18:25:56 #
Jun 22, 2015 18:48:38 #
Ah - forget the brand question you asked...
Which is the best is very subjective however, everyone will generally agree that the cheap filters are not to be purchased.
Filters I've seen discussed in the forum: B&W, Hoya, Cokin, Tiffen, and Marumi
I use Tiffen filters and am pleased with the results. Been using Tiffen brand going back to the 70's...
Lots of research available online and at the brand sites -
Review each brand from the site and Google for reviews - choose what the reviews say against your budget.
http://www.cokin.co.uk/
http://www.hoyafilter.com/
https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogSubCategoryDisplay.aspx?CID=57
http://tiffen.com/tiffen-filters/
http://www.marumi-international.com/dhg/page3.html#a12
Good luck ;)
Which is the best is very subjective however, everyone will generally agree that the cheap filters are not to be purchased.
Filters I've seen discussed in the forum: B&W, Hoya, Cokin, Tiffen, and Marumi
I use Tiffen filters and am pleased with the results. Been using Tiffen brand going back to the 70's...
Lots of research available online and at the brand sites -
Review each brand from the site and Google for reviews - choose what the reviews say against your budget.
http://www.cokin.co.uk/
http://www.hoyafilter.com/
https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogSubCategoryDisplay.aspx?CID=57
http://tiffen.com/tiffen-filters/
http://www.marumi-international.com/dhg/page3.html#a12
Good luck ;)
Jun 22, 2015 18:53:24 #
Here's a link testing 10 stop ND filters from different manufacturers. The most expensive is not necessarily the best.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx
Bob
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx
Bob
Jun 23, 2015 00:47:05 #
Jun 23, 2015 06:37:15 #
shieldsadvert wrote:
I am confused. What does "4x filter factor + 2 stops" mean when referring to ND filters. I am told an ND with a filter factor of 6 is best if only buying one, but I'm not sure which manufacturer makes the best one.
Unfortunately, ND filter terminology is not consistent.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/neutral-density-filters.htm
Jun 23, 2015 07:27:12 #
Jun 23, 2015 07:31:10 #
shieldsadvert wrote:
Thanks. Heard Tiffin is the best and it's nice to hear you feel the same way.
Bill
Bill
I use only B+W and Heliopan. Both have excellent glass and light transmission with a minimum of chroma shift. Both have brass rings rather than aluminum.
Jun 23, 2015 07:40:49 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
I use super cheap 3X3 plastic filters that I hand hold over my 16-35 Nikon f4 lens on a D800 with super results. Why would you pay more for being around water and the elements? My whole pack cost me less than $20.00 and included 30 filters via amazon, and yes, many of my photo's have won photo contests and have been printed to 16X24, my standard display size. I know most will disagree with me. "How could I put such cheap stuff over an expensive lens?" But, my results speak for themselves, I will continue to sink money into expensive lenses and let the awards and sales fall where they may.
Jun 23, 2015 07:48:14 #
ralphc4176
Loc: Conyers, GA
I use B&W filters almost exclusively. They usually feature brass rings, as opposed to aluminum rings found on most filters, which rings don't seem as durable as the brass rings. They cost more, but you only spend that money once for a given lens (or lens filter diameter).
If you only need a couple of stops of light reduction, you might also consider a circular polarizer, which has additional benefits beyond reduction of incoming light.
If you only need a couple of stops of light reduction, you might also consider a circular polarizer, which has additional benefits beyond reduction of incoming light.
Jun 23, 2015 07:58:29 #
zigipha
Loc: north nj
Shellback wrote:
reasonable explanation found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_factor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_factor
live and learn - i have never heard of the term filter factor.. YAPSW
yet another photography slang word
Jun 23, 2015 11:17:11 #
Jun 23, 2015 11:17:29 #
Jun 23, 2015 11:49:36 #
I have the Hoya 10-stop and have not seen this softening or unsharpness. I wonder if maybe he just received a faulty filter. I do agree that it imparts no noticeable color shift.
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