ND filter recommendation?
- Thread starter LeicaR9
- Start date
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
I don't think an ND will give you all that. Sounds like you're going to need to meter for the bright spots and count on the dynamic range of the D800 to allow you to pull out all the dark areas (something I've done), or shoot HDR.
Or, as Dave said, look to go graduated ND.
Or, as Dave said, look to go graduated ND.
A different possibility is to stack 2 filters. A neutral density filter to smooth out the water (perhaps a 6-stop or a 9-10 stop) plus stack a graduated ND filter to bring the brightness of the sun into range so it doesn't get blown out. Both suggestions above are excellent, too.
Huh? Did I misread the question with my suggestion of a ND filter (along with a graduated ND filter)? The waves would not have motion blur.... I took that to mean the OP wants water that is smooth from a longer shutter speed. No?
It's difficult to know what he wants from the way the question was asked. He was writing about an f2 aperture and f11. So I don't really understand his question. If he wanted to get rid of the actual waves and have a milky water type, then a long exposure with a graduated ND filter should do, but at F2? Not so sure about that aperture to get that effect, if that was the effect desired.
See, I'm thinking he/she wants the milky water with shutter speeds of several seconds. Can the shutter speed be slowed down enough to accomplish that with just a graduated filter especially if the water is moving at a very fast rate of speed?
See, I'm thinking he/she wants the milky water with shutter speeds of several seconds. Can the shutter speed be slowed down enough to accomplish that with just a graduated filter especially if the water is moving at a very fast rate of speed?
But, what confused me is, from the original post: "and the waves would not have motion blur". By it's nature, the milky look is just that, motion blur taken to another level. So maybe he could explain or maybe give an example of the type of motion without blur he is looking for.
Without the sun being blown out. Dynamic range issues are solved with GND.
Yes, that I know. I must have misread the question as I thought he/she *wanted* the smooth milky water. My apology for not understanding the question correctly!
Yes i would like to go with faster shutter speeds 1/60 - 1/125 at least or even faster. I'm looking something to stop the over burning of highlights.
I googled iso 6400 samples, few came up by D800 and RX1. Seems like good match for shadows (no plastic look).
But for sunrise landscape, the reflections on waves look super contrasty, maybe ND can help without milky motion blur look, and for that nice sun not to over blow.
I'm also looking ND filters to shoot wide open with Zeiss 35mm and 100mm F2.0 in low light and in bright daylight.
For landscape and for street photography. To keep the highlights perfectly defined on white dress, chrome and water.
In my area there is mostly illuminance ~ 70 000 Lux in sunny day.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Ok an ND filter will slow the shutter speed and you will get 'Motion blur', A graduated filter will offer better exposure when the sun is high. Or you could wait until the sun is low enough to achieve a perfect exposure with no motion blur in the waves ( reflections I have no idea what you are talking about ) and also will achieve perfect exposure of the sky 'Equilibrium'. But this may require patience
If I understand your question correctly, you are looking for a filter that would decrease the highlights but without cutting too much light in the shadows and cutting the amount of light so you could keep a fast shutter speed. I'm not sure such a filter exists. There are Variable Neutral Density filters that would allow you to shoot at f2 in full sunlight and be able to choose the shutter speed you'd like, but a filter that would only reduce highlights and not shadows... I'm not sure. A polarizer would certainly help for sun reflections on the water, but to what extent?
So this is all that comes to mind this early in the morning. I hope you find your filter, and when you do, please share your findings with us.
So this is all that comes to mind this early in the morning. I hope you find your filter, and when you do, please share your findings with us.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
I would like to see what they are trying to cut out as a CIP and ND will do what they ask but it all depends on what light etc, morning - midday - afternoon - night time. It all varies.