ND Filters - which 3?

Grug

Grug

Veteran
Hi guys,

I'm looking for 4x4 ND filters to match with my CP.2s and was wondering which densities people find most useful for bright daylight shooting. I have a circ-polariser already and now I'm looking to start with 1 soft-edged grad-ND and 2 standard NDs.

Any thoughts or suggestions as to the most useful combination of densities (both for the grad and regular filters) would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Mark
 
I tend to shoot with ND .3, .6 and .9 with me, and sometimes like to carry a ND .6 soft edge grad.
I also like to have soft filters to shoot with sometimes.

If I had to pick two NDs and an SE grad ND to start with, I'd probably go for .6, .9 and .6 SE grad.
 
It all really depends on when you typically go out shooting durring the day, what camera you are using, and what you are rating the camera at. If you are rating a camera at 800 and shooting in the middle of the day- you might want to opt for 1.2, 1.5, 1.8. If you are shooting in the morning or twilight hours, then .3, .6, .9 should cover you most of the time. If you are shooting at 160, then probably .3, .6, .9 for most situations. If you very your rating and time of day, then maybe start with something like .6, .9, 1.2.

Another HUGE factor, is what aperature you prefer to be at- do you like to be at T16 or T1.4 - vastly different needs (and looks). So unfortunately, there isn't one good answer here as it is determined by your own personal taste and style ... but hopefully this will at least get you headed in the right direction.

Something else you may want to consider doing- is to take a couple of days and go out shooting at the times you typically shoot outdoors, and either bring a meter and take readings, or bring your camera and figure out what proper exposure is, and then where you want the exposure to be at- that will help you to figure this out for your own style / taste. :)

I'm currently working with a full set (.3, .6, .9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8) as I find myself working at different times of the day, I'm usually rating the camera around 800, and I prefer to be around a T4 - T8 for exteriors. (Every once and a while I'll go to T2.8.)
 
Thanks for the detailed thoughts guys. The camera is 800 ISO, as a general rule I try to keep my stationary outdoor portrait shots between f/2-f/4, and action between f/5.6-f/8. I'm used to built in video camera NDs though, so I've never given much thought to the actual exposure impact they make (i've always just flicked onto whichever one seemed most appropriate).

Are there issues with stacking NDs?
 
Grug said:
Thanks for the detailed thoughts guys. The camera is 800 ISO, as a general rule I try to keep my stationary outdoor portrait shots between f/2-f/4, and action between f/5.6-f/8. I'm used to built in video camera NDs though, so I've never given much thought to the actual exposure impact they make (i've always just flicked onto whichever one seemed most appropriate).

Are there issues with stacking NDs?
Click to expand...

I usually avoid stacking them, there is a chance of slight colour shift or unwated flare (light bouncing between two NDs)
 
marvinhello said:
I usually avoid stacking them, there is a chance of slight colour shift or unwated flare (light bouncing between two NDs)
Click to expand...

Good point about stacking- definately worth considering. I avoid stacking due to flare issues mostly. So far I have been very happy with the Schneider Platinum IRND's- they were designed with stacking in mind (As far as color shift goes- flare is still an issue). I did a little test comparing them with the Formatt filters which you can find here if you are interested: http://www.ryanewalters.com/Videos/Tests/tests.html

Based off of what you (Grug) have said about your style / taste, I would go with the stonger flavors. In mid day, direct sun, you could find yourself in situations where your exposure would be anywhere in the T32 - T90 range. So to get to T5.6 - T8 you would need a 1.2 - 2.4 and to get to a T2 - T4 you would need 1.8 - 3.3. (Although personally, I don't like shooting in direct sun- so I usually do not need anythinh stonger then a 1.8 ...)
 
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