ND filter - how to guide...

[pidsy]

spent (a lot more than i intended) money on a couple of ND filters from Breakthrough photography before i went away on holiday. then promptly forgot to take them away with me. so...

has anyone got/fancy writing or has any tips on using ND filters?

(i bought a 3 and a 6 stop which make a 9 stop when used together) the guide on Breakthrough's website seems pretty straight forward but i value the opinions of those on here to add their own processes.

[markmullen]

Is it solid NDs for long exposures you fancy? If so this might help http://www.markmullenphotography.co.uk/blog/2012/8...

If it's ND grads to balance exposures have a look at this one, http://www.markmullenphotography.co.uk/blog/2013/3...

Hope they help

[pidsy]

Cheers mark.

They're solid filters so that'll help a lot.

[noell35]

If you've got a smartphone then there are quite a few apps available for calculating exposure time.

[Simpo Two]

Just slap it on and experiment.

[pidsy]

I will be out this weekend! I'll see what I can come up with.

Cheers guys.

[RobDickinson]

The key is to get the shot 100% setup first (framing, focus , exposure) then put the ND filter on (dont knock focus) and calculate the exposure time.

Most filters are a little off from the stated value. A 3 stop it doesnt matter, but a 10 stop is the difference between 60 and 120 seconds etc so you have to get to know it a little.

Oh and if the light levels are changing you have to guestimate a lot

[Gemm]

RobDickinson said:

The key is to get the shot 100% setup first (framing, focus , exposure) then put the ND filter on (dont knock focus) and calculate the exposure time.

I use the live view and it works great without having to take the thing off each time.

[Simpo Two]

Gemm said:

RobDickinson said:

The key is to get the shot 100% setup first (framing, focus , exposure) then put the ND filter on (dont knock focus) and calculate the exposure time.

I use the live view and it works great without having to take the thing off each time.

So live view is automatically brightening the image?

[RobDickinson]

Live view with exposure simulation can work Sometimes but you will struggle with a 10 stop filter..

[steveatesh]

Simpo Two said:

Just slap it on and experiment.

This is my approach and I look at the histogram and image on the screen, probably take a few shots if looks doubtful. Not very technical I know but it works for me.

[RobDickinson]

often for those 60-100 seconds you want at the right light there isnt a second or third chance as light is changing too quickly.