Thoughts on ND filters?

Qman · 08-31-2018, 12:31 PM - **1 Like**

I have a 10 stop Haida Nano Pro. Most reviews I've seen find that the Haida's are good value for the money. I also have a variable ND on my kit lens. I've never had issues with the X appearing, but my understanding is that the X occurs at ultra wide focal lengths.

ddbarchitect · 08-31-2018, 12:46 PM

I did a lot of research on this topic, and chose the 10 stop Haida Nano Pro, as best quality, with least color cast for a reasonable price. I have tried the process of combining multiple exposures using 3 stop + polarizer, and my experience is that clouds or waves end up with a stuttered looks to them. It works better with waterfalls.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-31-2018, 12:55 PM

I don't use them that much and just have 8x Hoya (3 stop) which cost under $20 for a 49mm a few years ago. They seem to work just fine. Sometimes I have used a polarizer with one.

robiles · 08-31-2018, 01:02 PM

I have read good things about Hoya ProND filters (low to no color cast) so i bought a 10 stop and a Kenko 3 stop filter (hoya branded for japan iirc), for about 35€. I did not have a chance to use them that much but they seem solid.

edit: i bought them fpr my limiteds. I will post a sample soon.

Brooke Meyer · 08-31-2018, 01:38 PM - **2 Likes**

I use the 4 stop in this affordable Tiffen Kit ( 67mm size) on my 50-135 & 28-75 with K3II bodies for Sunny 16 portraits at 2.8 with flash. Works well and they can be stacked for a 9 stop. Good technique means also using your lens hood.

Tiffen 58mm ND Kit

**FozzFoster** · 08-31-2018, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Brooke Meyer

Sunny 16 portraits

Great shot! well done!

UserAccessDenied · 08-31-2018, 02:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FozzFoster

Here is a couple examples of a waterfall shot I had taken with my Haida 10-stop filter.

These are lovely!
Wish we had waterfalls near us!

UserAccessDenied · 08-31-2018, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by ddbarchitect

I did a lot of research on this topic, and chose the 10 stop Haida Nano Pro, as best quality, with least color cast for a reasonable price. I have tried the process of combining multiple exposures using 3 stop + polarizer, and my experience is that clouds or waves end up with a stuttered looks to them. It works better with waterfalls.

interesting, what do you mean stuttered? I'll probably be using it for waves as I live so close to the ocean...

UserAccessDenied · 08-31-2018, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by othar

You get similar images with that tecnique when photographing moving water and/or clouds or something similar, but to chapture light trails from moving cars you have to either stop down the lens as far as it goes or use an ND filter or even both (depending on how long your exposure has to be) otherwise your trails will be interrupted whenever your new picture starts.

133 sec exposure:

very creative!
That's a good use of an ND filter in my opinion!

UserAccessDenied · 08-31-2018, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by grispie

Actually, I had no idea what these things cost. I got them for free together when buying my fa31 2ndhand..
I just checked. the B&w ones i have don't seem that expensive to me & they are really good.

Be careful on the filter size. maybe better to go for 52mm and use a step up ring, unless they all are really 49 & you have no plans to acquire lenses with bigger size..

All those lenses I have are actual 49mm filter size, but a 52 with step up wouldn't be a particular bad idea I suppose...
Any idea if any of those lenses have issues with step up rings and their built in hoods?

I could always pick up a cheap step up ring off eBay and check myself..

**othar** · 08-31-2018, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

very creative!That's a good use of an ND filter in my opinion!

Thank you.

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

All those lenses I have are actual 49mm filter size, but a 52 with step up wouldn't be a particular bad idea I suppose...Any idea if any of those lenses have issues with step up rings and their built in hoods?I could always pick up a cheap step up ring off eBay and check myself..

I have 52mm ND filters. The built in hood of my Cosina Cosinon-T 135mm won't work with them attached

UserAccessDenied · 08-31-2018, 03:21 PM

Forgot I had some cash sitting in my PayPal account!

I just grabbed a Haida 49mm Slim Pro II Solid Neutral Density 1.8 Filter (6 Stops) to test out.
See if I need more or less light and go from there!

**kiwi_jono** · 08-31-2018, 03:42 PM

All I can say is don't get a really cheap filter as I have had no end of issues with colour cast problems (that can be difficult to correct for) - ideally use filters people have used and recommend.

Mark Ransom · 08-31-2018, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

All I can say is don't get a really cheap filter as I have had no end of issues with colour cast problems (that can be difficult to correct for) - ideally use filters people have used and recommend.

It's not just color casts. Any piece of glass you add to the lens has the potential to add flare, distortion, or blur.

**FozzFoster** · 08-31-2018, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

These are lovely!
Wish we had waterfalls near us!

Thanks a bunch!

08-31-2018, 01:38 PM - 2 Likes	#35
Brooke Meyer Guest	I use the 4 stop in this affordable Tiffen Kit ( 67mm size) on my 50-135 & 28-75 with K3II bodies for Sunny 16 portraits at 2.8 with flash. Works well and they can be stacked for a 9 stop. Good technique means also using your lens hood. Tiffen 58mm ND Kit Last edited by Brooke Meyer; 10-23-2018 at 09:08 AM.

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08-31-2018, 12:31 PM - 1 Like	#31
Qman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 232	I have a 10 stop Haida Nano Pro. Most reviews I've seen find that the Haida's are good value for the money. I also have a variable ND on my kit lens. I've never had issues with the X appearing, but my understanding is that the X occurs at ultra wide focal lengths.

08-31-2018, 12:46 PM	#32
ddbarchitect Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 142	I did a lot of research on this topic, and chose the 10 stop Haida Nano Pro, as best quality, with least color cast for a reasonable price. I have tried the process of combining multiple exposures using 3 stop + polarizer, and my experience is that clouds or waves end up with a stuttered looks to them. It works better with waterfalls.

08-31-2018, 12:55 PM	#33
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	I don't use them that much and just have 8x Hoya (3 stop) which cost under $20 for a 49mm a few years ago. They seem to work just fine. Sometimes I have used a polarizer with one.

08-31-2018, 01:02 PM	#34
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	I have read good things about Hoya ProND filters (low to no color cast) so i bought a 10 stop and a Kenko 3 stop filter (hoya branded for japan iirc), for about 35€. I did not have a chance to use them that much but they seem solid. edit: i bought them fpr my limiteds. I will post a sample soon.

08-31-2018, 01:53 PM	#36
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Brooke Meyer Sunny 16 portraits Great shot! well done!

08-31-2018, 02:56 PM - 1 Like	#37
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by FozzFoster Here is a couple examples of a waterfall shot I had taken with my Haida 10-stop filter. These are lovely! Wish we had waterfalls near us!

08-31-2018, 02:58 PM	#38
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by ddbarchitect I did a lot of research on this topic, and chose the 10 stop Haida Nano Pro, as best quality, with least color cast for a reasonable price. I have tried the process of combining multiple exposures using 3 stop + polarizer, and my experience is that clouds or waves end up with a stuttered looks to them. It works better with waterfalls. interesting, what do you mean stuttered? I'll probably be using it for waves as I live so close to the ocean...

08-31-2018, 02:59 PM	#39
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by othar You get similar images with that tecnique when photographing moving water and/or clouds or something similar, but to chapture light trails from moving cars you have to either stop down the lens as far as it goes or use an ND filter or even both (depending on how long your exposure has to be) otherwise your trails will be interrupted whenever your new picture starts. 133 sec exposure: very creative! That's a good use of an ND filter in my opinion!

08-31-2018, 03:02 PM	#40
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by grispie Actually, I had no idea what these things cost. I got them for free together when buying my fa31 2ndhand.. I just checked. the B&w ones i have don't seem that expensive to me & they are really good. Be careful on the filter size. maybe better to go for 52mm and use a step up ring, unless they all are really 49 & you have no plans to acquire lenses with bigger size.. All those lenses I have are actual 49mm filter size, but a 52 with step up wouldn't be a particular bad idea I suppose... Any idea if any of those lenses have issues with step up rings and their built in hoods? I could always pick up a cheap step up ring off eBay and check myself..

08-31-2018, 03:08 PM	#41
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied very creative!That's a good use of an ND filter in my opinion! Thank you. Originally posted by UserAccessDenied All those lenses I have are actual 49mm filter size, but a 52 with step up wouldn't be a particular bad idea I suppose...Any idea if any of those lenses have issues with step up rings and their built in hoods?I could always pick up a cheap step up ring off eBay and check myself.. I have 52mm ND filters. The built in hood of my Cosina Cosinon-T 135mm won't work with them attached

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08-31-2018, 03:21 PM	#42
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Forgot I had some cash sitting in my PayPal account! I just grabbed a Haida 49mm Slim Pro II Solid Neutral Density 1.8 Filter (6 Stops) to test out. See if I need more or less light and go from there!

08-31-2018, 03:42 PM	#43
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	All I can say is don't get a really cheap filter as I have had no end of issues with colour cast problems (that can be difficult to correct for) - ideally use filters people have used and recommend.

08-31-2018, 03:46 PM	#44
Mark Ransom Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 498	Originally posted by kiwi_jono All I can say is don't get a really cheap filter as I have had no end of issues with colour cast problems (that can be difficult to correct for) - ideally use filters people have used and recommend. It's not just color casts. Any piece of glass you add to the lens has the potential to add flare, distortion, or blur.

08-31-2018, 04:00 PM	#45
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied These are lovely! Wish we had waterfalls near us! Thanks a bunch!