Actual stop values of ND
- Thread starter Droog
- Start date
Ok, here is what confuses me about that. In my mind the lower the value of ND the weaker it is right? That is to say it passes more light. So then why would 1/64 ND equal 6 stops? Thats a huge iris change but a very minimal change in the light.
Lets say you had a 1k shining on a white wall and you are shooting at f6, you throw 1/64 ND on the 1k and you open up 6 stops, to 0 to compensate well thats going to be way blown out. Even will full ND you would probably blow out if you opened up 6 stops.
I realize I am missing a critical element here. I feel like I am not thinking about it right, some concept is escaping me.
Thanks for helping me.
Lets say you had a 1k shining on a white wall and you are shooting at f6, you throw 1/64 ND on the 1k and you open up 6 stops, to 0 to compensate well thats going to be way blown out. Even will full ND you would probably blow out if you opened up 6 stops.
I realize I am missing a critical element here. I feel like I am not thinking about it right, some concept is escaping me.
Thanks for helping me.
khmuse
Tech Guru
No 1/64 is a really large change in the amount of light reaching the sensors. Stated another way, it is 1/64th of the original light (without any ND used). In practice, both the 1/8 and 1/64th positions are even greater than the numbers would indicate.
You can easily test this for yourself. Just point the camera at a bright object and set it to spot mode. Now read the brightness for any given aperture. Next add set the camera to its first ND position (1/8). Adjust the aperture to obtain the same spot reading and you will find that it will require about 3 1/2 stops more open (lower number) to match the previous level.
If your still not convinced, then continue the test for the 1/64th position and you will find that its an additional 3 to 3 1/2 stops below the 1/8th position.
You can easily test this for yourself. Just point the camera at a bright object and set it to spot mode. Now read the brightness for any given aperture. Next add set the camera to its first ND position (1/8). Adjust the aperture to obtain the same spot reading and you will find that it will require about 3 1/2 stops more open (lower number) to match the previous level.
If your still not convinced, then continue the test for the 1/64th position and you will find that its an additional 3 to 3 1/2 stops below the 1/8th position.
No no, I am convinced. I have been thinking about it backwards is all.
Ok, then is it a different deal when refering to ND gel? Because, correct me if I am wrong, but throwing 1/4 ND gel on a light does not knock it down to a 1/4 of the wattage rather it lets 3/4 through, restricting a 1/4. Right?
It seems flip flopped when talking about gel and filters.
Ok, then is it a different deal when refering to ND gel? Because, correct me if I am wrong, but throwing 1/4 ND gel on a light does not knock it down to a 1/4 of the wattage rather it lets 3/4 through, restricting a 1/4. Right?
It seems flip flopped when talking about gel and filters.