Which ND filter for clear sky, beach area shoots f/1.4-f/2.8?

Lucas 7D

Lucas 7D

Active member
Hey Guys

I'm thinking of getting an matte box and a 4x4 ND filter. I know they are at least $150 each so I'm thinking of getting just one. I want to be able to shoot clear sky sunny exteriors at f/1.4 and 1/50 shutter on my 7D because without the filter its impossible. i see .3, .6 and .9 available for purchase on the web.
 
it depends, so you'll have to check

take a still with that aperture, the ISO you want to use, and whatever shutter speed you need to get your exposure right; then do the math
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?247701-Matte-Box-filters-vs-Singh-Ray-filter/page6

also: the ND faders are a breeze to use, really really great in comparison with, say, screw-in filters; but they're only good for lenses with relatively short focal lenghts; anything above 100mm will be killed by an ND fader
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lenstests/lenstestsn.html
 
I'm curious as to what look you are going for? F/1.4 is too shallow for anything with movement, and many still subjects too (think one eye in focus, one eye blurry) - most people would only ever go this fast when they desperately need the extra light. I often shoot at f/2.8 at 50mm indoors and the DOF is more than shallow enough to distinctly seperate the focal planes. I'd suggest you reconsider your needs and figure out something that would be more practical.

If you have to shoot outdoors in bright sunlight at f/1.4 you will need to filter out a minimum of 5-7 stops of light. Probably more. I know it's expensive but I honestly think you'd be better off stacking filters. Owning a single 10-stop ND filter is not going to give you very much creative control. Or, as others have said, get a Fader ND. I believe they give you about 7 stops of filtration, but in many cases that will still not be enough to get you down to f/1.4 in bright sunlight.
 
i own fader nds for my 50mm and 85mm both can go 1.4
i must say i m quite disappointed by how weird the image looks at 1.4 ir even at 2. the biggest problem is that i lose all the sharpness at 1.4
when i shoot indoors at night at 1.4 it looks much sharper. i just bought a nd16 for the 50mm and i dont know if it makes such a big difference to the fader nd.. first tests were not that promising!i need to do some more testing and will post my results here
 
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dont be surprised when yo get back home and check sharpness of your vids after using fader ND.
Dont lknow why you need 1.4 IMO f2-2.8 is needed to have non distracting focus and to keep ears and nose in focus shooting talking heads.F1.4 can be very distracting,too much blur and softness.
 
I needed two NDx4 filters to shoot at 1/60th sec and f2.8 with a T3i and Canon 17-35L out in the bright sun on concrete. I think you might need another x4 to use f1.4 if your back drop is sky or light color. In the snow I have to go to f8 with the two NDx4's and could only get down to 1/100 shutter.

Cheers,
Pete
 
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