ND Filter's

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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Been giving thought to adding ND Filter(s) to my collection of accessories. I think I have room in one of my bags for one. :p

Anyway - who uses one and which one do you like.

Looking for recommendations that are "good and cheap" Well at least "OK and reasonably priced"

See them down by dBay for pretty cheap.

Some on Amazon.CA aren't terribly priced.

Photo stores want more for big brand names.

How much of a difference does it make to pay the big bucks?

I see what you can do with them and it looks like fun.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
buy a set (3) for your largest lens and stepup rings to fit your other lens.
If you buy 1 murphys law says it will be the wrong one for the shot. You then can stack all 3 if needed for the shot.
I would go with middle of the road on price.
 
Eduard

Eduard

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nikonpup said:
buy a set (3) for your largest lens and stepup rings to fit your other lens.
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Absolutely agree with this approach. I have 82mm with 77-82 and 67-82 step-up rings for FX and then 55mm with 52-55 and 40.5-55 step-up rings for CX. Less to carry too.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Not big on the "set of 3" approach. It's what I did and I've never the 1 and 2 stop filters since getting my ND400 (which I'll occasionally stack witht the 3 stop). I do agree with the "buy for your largest lens and get rings" approach.

I also agree with using the forum search engine since this thing seems to get discussed every 7-10 days. ;)

And before you ask, don't get a variable ND unless you don't plan on going past 6 stops - the rest of the range is pretty much useless unless you want to spend an arm, a leg and a torso, which you seem to be shying away from.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
wombat said:
would this be a good buy or not?

77mm Variable Adjustable Neutral Density ND Fader Filter ND2 TO ND400 | eBay
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I reeeeeally do not like variable ND filters. The price point also tells me it's piece of crap. The simple fact of the matter is this: Good glass, be it a lens or a filter, requires a time consuming and labor intensive manufacturing process; that's why the good brands cost a lot of money.

My advice: Suck it up and spend the money for a Hoya or a B+W (non-variable) ND filter.

....
 
hark

hark

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wombat said:
would this be a good buy or not?

77mm Variable Adjustable Neutral Density ND Fader Filter ND2 TO ND400 | eBay
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It will go from 1-stop to 9-stops. As Jake mentioned, the problem some people have experienced is that the variable ND filters aren't good when it comes to the higher stops. It adversely affects the image. It should work for between 1 stop and hopefully up to 6 stops, but above that you will be taking a chance.

I think it might have been Rick M who once mentioned he used a 3-stop ND filter but the effect wasn't quite enough for what he wanted. If you want the glassy smooth and/or silky water effect, you should look for either a 9- or 10-stop ND filter. The ND400 is a 9-stop filter.
 
wombat

wombat

Senior Member
WOW that was a quick reply, thanks for your time.

I was just looking at the Hoya range and as you say price will always show the quality and you only get what you pay for so I will go with te Hoya one 77MM $50 AUD
 
hark

hark

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wombat said:
WOW that was a quick reply, thanks for your time.

I was just looking at the Hoya range and as you say price will always show the quality and you only get what you pay for so I will go with te Hoya one 77MM $50 AUD
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I have a 77mm ND400 by Hoya, and the quality of the filter is terrific. If you buy a 1-stop or a 3-stop, quite often the effect isn't enough even when using the lowest ISO. So with this one, you will have more options. ;)
 
wombat

wombat

Senior Member
Hark, thank you for your feedback, I would like the HD or the Pro ID one, will have to do some more shopping around as most stores are selling the HMC one.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
wombat said:
is there a difference in the ND and CPL filters, they look like they do the same thing
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No, they're not the same thing. Neutral Density filters cut light transmission equally across the spectrum to reduce shutter speed while a Circular Polarizing filter polarizes light. This reduces or eliminates reflections. Yes, it also cuts the overall light transmission reaching the sensor but that's a by-product of polarizing the incoming light.

Here's a really good video demonstrating why you might want to consider using a CPL; I rarely shoot outdoors without one.

....
 
hark

hark

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wombat said:
is there a difference in the ND and CPL filters, they look like they do the same thing
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Horoscope Fish said:
No, they're not the same thing. Neutral Density filters cut light transmission equally across the spectrum to reduce shutter speed while a Circular Polarizing filter polarizes light. This reduces or eliminates reflections. Yes, it also cuts the overall light transmission reaching the sensor but that's a by-product of polarizing the incoming light.

Here's a really good video demonstrating why you might want to consider using a CPL; I rarely shoot outdoors without one.

....
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As the Fish said, their purposes are different. Yes, in a pinch a CP filter can be used as a very weak ND filter, but they only tend to be 1-2 stops in strength. Usually a filter manufacturer will list the filter factor (whether it is 1-stop, 1.5-stop, etc). Some of my CP filters are light in color while others are darker. Before I had an ND filter, I used a CP filter in a pinch for this photo. It did double duty as a CP and as an ND although I would have preferred a stronger ND effect to slow the water down even further:


Neshaminy Creek Waterfalls - Autumn by *Hark*, on Flickr
 
wombat

wombat

Senior Member
thanks guys for all of your info, I have CPL's for each lens but I must get a ND one, will have to wait until next year cos I hate going shopping this time of year, shops are tooooo busy for me.
 
hark

hark

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wombat said:
thanks guys for all of your info, I have CPL's for each lens but I must get a ND one, will have to wait until next year cos I hate going shopping this time of year, shops are tooooo busy for me.
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Most of mine came from my fingers doing the walking across the keyboard. Have you ever ordered from B&H or Adorama? B&H has been shipping their orders very quickly.
 
wombat

wombat

Senior Member
Yes I do online shopping but found B&H a bit pricey on shipping cost's to Australia, and then the PayPal rate of exchange on top, will take another look, but I do like to see that I am getting what I have paid for in regards to filters, like to touch before buying.
 
hark

hark

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wombat said:
Yes I do online shopping but found B&H a bit pricey on shipping cost's to Australia, and then the PayPal rate of exchange on top, will take another look, but I do like to see that I am getting what I have paid for in regards to filters, like to touch before buying.
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Ahh...didn't notice you aren't located in the US. Sorry about that. :eek: And I fully understand the desire to see/touch a product before purchase.
 
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