Solid ND Filters

[Final Design Studios]

So this may seem like a basic question, but what's a good range of ND's to have?

If I get a .3, .6 and a .9 will that be enough for daylight? Will it give me enough flexibility to shoot in moderately bright settings, not necessarily daylight?

 

[durangotang]

Here's the Wikipedia page on ND filters:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter

 

[Kerplunk]

So this may seem like a basic question, but what's a good range of ND's to have?

If I get a .3, .6 and a .9 will that be enough for daylight? Will it give me enough flexibility to shoot in moderately bright settings, not necessarily daylight?

Just ordered this Fader adjustable ND. Might want to check it out. Saves having to buy a bunch of different NDs (actually cheaper if you're buying good ones), plus you have it all in one convenient filter; saving space and the hassles of changing a bunch of filters. Some good comments here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos...ters-5d-4.html

And Phil Bloom was going to report on his experiences with it. Maybe he already did and I missed it.

eBay link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fader-ND-Filter...4.l1262&_trkparms=|293:1|294:30#ht_2063wt_978

 

[Final Design Studios]

With this, I'd have to get a step up ring as well correct?

 

[Kerplunk]

They come in a bunch of sizes. He had a 62mm, but the only ones he has now are 67mm and 77mm. I bought a ring to step up to the 67. That actually then goes to 72mm since the filter itself acts as a step up ring.

 

[Final Design Studios]

So does anyone know what my 35mm and 50mm Nikon lenses would be? I'm trying to find a step up ring for them.

 

[J Davis]

So does anyone know what my 35mm and 50mm Nikon lenses would be? I'm trying to find a step up ring for them.

thread size is usually written on the inside of your lens cap

 

[yslee]

I have to say, the fader adjustable NDs looks really handy. Normal screw on filters are somewhat ok for still photography since they're not use that often and there's always shutter speed adjustments to mitigate exposure issues, but I can imagine them to be a hassle in video. Might get the 77mm one myself.

Edit: Bugger, he only has the 67mm one left.

 

[Martti Ekstrand]

My experience is that in sunny daylight I need two .9 (ND8) for 100 ISO, f/2.8 and 1/50 sec shutter speed. Formatt / Hitech makes up to 3.0 density ND square glass for their or Cokin filter holders, haven't seen any screw-ons above .9 but somewhere they must exist.

http://www.formatt.co.uk/stills-filters/filters/standard-n-d/stills-filters.aspx

 

[Tameside]

Just ordered a 62mm, this will be very useful. One of the problems switching from photo to video and one of the reasons I want to get away from polarisers is that really for stills you need faster shutter and for video slower, this vari ND should mean I can leave it permanent and rotate for photo and video as I desire, this is a very interesting filter, hope it doesnt take weeks am on vacation soon.

 

[haojan]

82mm linear and circular polarizers with step up rings

82mm linear and circular polarizers with step up rings

If you stack a linear polarizer and a circular polarizer, rotating the circular polarizer cuts light like an ND but in varying amounts depending on the rotation. I've never done it before and am curious to see/hear about Kholi's results.

I could not find any post that discussed the experience with the homemade variable ND (linear and circular polarizers). Anyone here came across a review? I believe you mentioned using 82mm filters to fit all lens sizes. What do you think of using these step up rings with 82mm filters on the stock lens?