What is the most used ND Stop filter you have? I have the Nikon circular polarizer that is two stops, should I go for a 4 stop and combine filters if I need more or should I go for a 10 stop filer? Using D7100/D7000 combo for video - 77mm filter size so I know this will be expensive, so I'd like to buy just one size. Use will be wildlife and landscape stuff.
ND filter - how many stops?
- Thread starter JeffD7K
- Start date
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
When I shoot, I find the most common ND's we use are .9 and 1.2 (3 and 4 stops) plus pola. Obviously circumstances change depending on environment conditions, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and FPS. But generally when we move from a lit interior to exterior, I find most of the time a pola (1-2 stops) and an IRND 1.2 will get me in the ballpark.
Again it will change all the time. It will depend on all those factors listed above. If there was just one or two filters needed, I wouldn't always have to carry six of them around with me, like I do. I can tell you, with certainty, that the ND.3 is the least needed in my kit.
When using your polarizer, what aperture are you shooting at? If it's f/8 or wider, you may not need another ND filter. I have 3- and 4-stop ND filters, and I use the 3-stop most of the time. For wildlife and landscape, I would think that you'd want somewhat deep depth of field. A 10-stop filter is mostly used to get long exposures for waterfalls, etc., so only get it if that's the look you want. A graduated ND filter may be more useful for landscapes.
Samuel H
Major Contributor
If I could only use one ND filter, it would be a 6-stops filter. That's what I need if I want to shoot ISO 100 f/2.8 1/50s on a sunny day. And I don't mind pushing the ISO to 400 if I only need 4 stops of filtration.
I would buy a 0.6 and a 1.2, and stack them when needed. Or, even better, a 0.6+0.9+1.2 kit.
Also, check this.
I would buy a 0.6 and a 1.2, and stack them when needed. Or, even better, a 0.6+0.9+1.2 kit.
Also, check this.
morgan_moore
Major Contributor
id say six - but that is a FS100 with base around 500-800 ISO,
Maybe 4 with a 200 base?
Easy to go and test - go outside on a sunny day get a correct exposure (ignoring Fstop) read the Fstop and ask yourself how many more stops open woud you like to be shooting at - that many is the filter you need.
S
Maybe 4 with a 200 base?
Easy to go and test - go outside on a sunny day get a correct exposure (ignoring Fstop) read the Fstop and ask yourself how many more stops open woud you like to be shooting at - that many is the filter you need.
S
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
If I had to pick one, and I am glad I don't, it would be the ND.9.
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
Do people worry about using 'IR' filters either separate or part of the ND filter for digital cameras?
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
^ What do you mean?
Samuel H
Major Contributor
I think he means: for you, how important is IR filtration? (either included in the ND filter, or through a separate filter)
Personally, I can live without it. My ND filters are not the best, but they were cheap, and are not bad either. They do create a color cast, but it's not difficult to take it out, it's basically gone if you use custom white balance (the kind where you point the camera at a white card and use that to define white). (tests)
Personally, I can live without it. My ND filters are not the best, but they were cheap, and are not bad either. They do create a color cast, but it's not difficult to take it out, it's basically gone if you use custom white balance (the kind where you point the camera at a white card and use that to define white). (tests)
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
I've been looking into a phenomenon called "IR Polution". Digital sensors are sensitive to Near InfraRed and below. IR filters in the camera may reduce the amount of IR the sensor receives, but as one adds ND, the proportion of visible light to IR changes, and the IR may become significant.
Here's an article on the topic:
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.co...ng-infrared-cutting-filters-arris-alexa/62479
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
Oh! IR filtration is highly important.
With these sensitive cameras, we are using IRND combos almost 90% of the time. We used to use regular ND's with IR cut filters in front, but now we just use combo IRND's. Without them, at high filtration and certain lighting conditions, the blacks turn purple/red (depending) if you don't watch yourself! We almost exclusively use Schneider Platinum IRND's, but we seldom use the 1.5 which has proven to have a strong color cast. Instead, we typically stack another regular ND filter behind the IRND 1.2, if we need more light reduction.
Some older cameras didn't have much IR filtration natively, if any, so it was almost a must. Nowadays, most cameras have some sort of IR filtration built into the camera, but we still use IRND's. I've never ever had anyone find we removed too much of it, so it's the way we do it now.
For those who are new to IR filtration, you want it to always be the first filter the light passes through. Always. It's also important which way the filter goes in. Typically, the words printed on the filter should face out. Meaning if someone were to walk up to the MB and look into the lens, they could see the words "Tiffen/Schnieder IRND 1.2" or whatever facing them. If there are no words on the filter, look at both sides and you would pick the one that is most reflective or mirrored in surface and have that facing outward.
With these sensitive cameras, we are using IRND combos almost 90% of the time. We used to use regular ND's with IR cut filters in front, but now we just use combo IRND's. Without them, at high filtration and certain lighting conditions, the blacks turn purple/red (depending) if you don't watch yourself! We almost exclusively use Schneider Platinum IRND's, but we seldom use the 1.5 which has proven to have a strong color cast. Instead, we typically stack another regular ND filter behind the IRND 1.2, if we need more light reduction.
Some older cameras didn't have much IR filtration natively, if any, so it was almost a must. Nowadays, most cameras have some sort of IR filtration built into the camera, but we still use IRND's. I've never ever had anyone find we removed too much of it, so it's the way we do it now.
For those who are new to IR filtration, you want it to always be the first filter the light passes through. Always. It's also important which way the filter goes in. Typically, the words printed on the filter should face out. Meaning if someone were to walk up to the MB and look into the lens, they could see the words "Tiffen/Schnieder IRND 1.2" or whatever facing them. If there are no words on the filter, look at both sides and you would pick the one that is most reflective or mirrored in surface and have that facing outward.