ND filter question.

I have an ND4 filter if I attach that (52mm) to my lens with my ND vario 2-400 would this be equal or as good as an ND 10 filter?

I want to take still water photos of the sea so do I need to purchase an ND10 filter or am I wasting my money as the two filters that I already own are ok?

MAMF said:

I have an ND4 filter if I attach that (52mm) to my lens with my ND vario 2-400 would this be equal or as good as an ND 10 filter?

I want to take still water photos of the sea so do I need to purchase an ND10 filter or am I wasting my money as the two filters that I already own are ok?

Click to expand...

Assuming the "400" part of "2-400" indicates that filter can hit ND400, then that equates to 9-stops. The ND4 would add two stops if you stack them.

Stacking a variable ND on top of a standard ND would not be my preferred method of getting where you want to go, but in that's the how the numbers break down.

Cheers Paul.

So by stacking them I have sort of got 11 - stops?

MAMF said:

So by stacking them I have sort of got 11 - stops?

Click to expand...

Assuming the first filter goes ND400, which it sounds like it does, yes... Stacking the two would give you 11-stops total.

I've never stacked ND's like that before, but it's worth a shot, I'd say!

I am a tight sod so will probably stick with it. The above photo was taken with both filters stacked together, thank-you for your help Paul.

@MAMF I am tight too, but I would be tempted to spend ~$30 US for an ICE ND filter 10 stop. (Actually I did, but I don't have the combination you have. Ha) I figure that for the price, I can see what the capabilities of the 10 stop (ND1000) filters are and if I will use it enough to maybe get a better one some day.

Honestly, I don't think stacking filters is ever really all that good an idea. You add 4 air to glass surfaces, which increases your chances of flares and ghosting and unless your filters are absolutely top notch, you will probably see some degradation of IQ. 9 stops is not enough for you? I have a 3 filter set, 2x, 4x and 8x and the three stops is usually enough for what I have to do.

I was going to suggest that using an ND filter is a bit subjective. With reciprocity, shooting with a 6 stop versus a 4 stop ND isn't really a problem... unless you're shooting action scenes at a beach on a sunny day...