Which ND Filter?

schnitzer79 · 04-29-2014, 01:01 AM

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Looking to try some long exposure shots in daylight so ive been on the lookout for a good ND filter.Just need some advice on what type and which brand.
Ive been looking at the variable ND filters which i do prefer but can get quite expensive.
Is there any vari-ND particular brand out there that is affordable and delivers good quality images at the same time?

whats your opinion on this filter : Hama 62mm 62 ND2-ND400 Vario ND Variable Neutral Density Camera Lens Filter | eBay

or would i be better off buying the Hoya ND400?

The ND is only for long exposure shots (seascapes,waterfalls etc)

Last edited by schnitzer79; 04-29-2014 at 06:27 AM.

Basie · 04-29-2014, 06:35 AM

rather get a 8 stop fixed. The good ones do not have colour cast issues, but even then can be removed in post if you shoot RAW. For moving water etc in landscapes or seascapes 30 seconds work well, but at ISO 100 and F22 it needs to be twilight outside to make it work with a 6 stop. And if you go to the very small apertures you can get diffraction issues and great magnification of sensor dust

I have never used the vari ones, but as you say, they are quite expensive. A 62 mm with step down should work fine, but you can get vignetting with a wide angle with the step down ring
Enjoy

schnitzer79 · 04-29-2014, 07:01 AM

thanks for the reply man.any idea what the difference between the hoya hmc nd and the hoya pro nd?

peterjcb · 04-29-2014, 07:15 AM

I am also looking to experiment with ND filters and just picked up a Hoya Pro 10 stop from Amazon. I'll post back with some results.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZ83CU2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

schnitzer79 · 04-29-2014, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by peterjcb

I am also looking to experiment with ND filters and just picked up a Hoya Pro 10 stop from Amazon. I'll post back with some results.
Amazon.com : Hoya Pro 49mm 1000x Neutral Density Filter, 10 Stops (3.0) : Camera Lens Neutral Density Filters : Camera & Photo

u sure thats a 10-stop? it does state 10 stop but on the case it says ND64 which is 6 stop.
whats the widest u will use it?

mikeSF · 04-29-2014, 07:33 AM

i use the Hoya ND400 9-stop filter, in three different sizes. quality is excellent and no real issues with sun flare. There is definitely a greenish cast, but shooting RAW makes that a non-issue.

That Hama variable looks like trouble, IMO.

peterjcb · 04-29-2014, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

u sure thats a 10-stop? it does state 10 stop but on the case it says ND64 which is 6 stop.
whats the widest u will use it?

it says 10 stop right in the description...I plan on using it with my DA15
I think that the photo does not refer to the actual item because it shows a 77mm and I ordered a 49mm??
The description says optical density 3.0 which is 10 stops according to the charts that I Googled.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter
I'd be pretty upset it it came in as 1.8 optical density which is indeed 6 stops and would probably call the seller to return it.

Last edited by peterjcb; 04-29-2014 at 08:52 AM.

schnitzer79 · 04-29-2014, 12:00 PM

Gave it some thought and made some calculations based on previous shots and ended up buying a 10 stop ND. Will post some feedback next week when i get it

peterjcb · 05-01-2014, 06:34 PM

I just received my Hoya Pro 49mm ND1000 10 stop filter....it's beautifully built and looks like excellent glass. I can't wait to take it for a spin this weekend.

pinholecam · 05-01-2014, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

The guys here in Singapore are pretty happy with the Haida ND filters.
I got myself a 10stop ND and couldn't be happier.
Minimal color cast and its the easily correctable type which even more expensive 10 stop ND can't make the claim of.
Slim filter ring too.

Real Life Review of Haida ND Filter

schnitzer79 · 05-13-2014, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

The guys here in Singapore are pretty happy with the Haida ND filters.
I got myself a 10stop ND and couldn't be happier.
Minimal color cast and its the easily correctable type which even more expensive 10 stop ND can't make the claim of.
Slim filter ring too.

Real Life Review of Haida ND Filter

seems like a decent ND filter actually.never heard of that brand before

pinholecam · 08-30-2014, 11:59 PM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

seems like a decent ND filter actually.never heard of that brand before

According to the dealer here, its sold in the UK. (probably expanded to other places too by now since this was about a year ago when we had that conversation)

I've been happy with the ones I bought.
Low colour cast and easily correctable at that, filters are the slim type and cheaper than the famous brands.

Taken with the filter and Pentax K24/2.8

schnitzer79 · 08-31-2014, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

According to the dealer here, its sold in the UK. (probably expanded to other places too by now since this was about a year ago when we had that conversation)

I've been happy with the ones I bought.
Low colour cast and easily correctable at that, filters are the slim type and cheaper than the famous brands.

i hadnt heard of them at the time, but since then I bought 2 haida ND filters and very pleased with them. the fact that they are slim is such a bonus since they hardly take up any space, plus any other ND filter than this would certainly not fit on my DA15 with the retractable hood

edgedemon · 11-09-2014, 01:56 PM

Im in the market for an Haida ND filter or 2 for 2 purposes

1) So I can use my F1.2 lens in daylight wide open
2) long exposure night time cityscapes or street shots where I need longer exposures to get rid of all the people walking around.

Could someone give me an idea of the ND values I should be looking for?

schnitzer79 · 11-20-2014, 07:44 AM

1) if you go at the highest shutter speed, isnt it sufficient? im assuming just for general use right? a cpl could work well here. i tend to use mine a lot with my A50mm 1.4 when i shoot wide open outside
2)for night time cityscapes you could get away with using f11-f16, ISO 100, and without an ND. depends how long of an exposure you want.

ive got a cpl, an 8 stop and a 10 stop ND, and so far theyve been working great.
There are also variable NDs that vary from 2 to 10 stop, but I suggest you stay away since they can degrade quality of your images and also give a strong colour cast sometimes.

04-29-2014, 01:01 AM	#1
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Which ND Filter? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Looking to try some long exposure shots in daylight so ive been on the lookout for a good ND filter.Just need some advice on what type and which brand. Ive been looking at the variable ND filters which i do prefer but can get quite expensive. Is there any vari-ND particular brand out there that is affordable and delivers good quality images at the same time? whats your opinion on this filter : Hama 62mm 62 ND2-ND400 Vario ND Variable Neutral Density Camera Lens Filter \| eBay or would i be better off buying the Hoya ND400? The ND is only for long exposure shots (seascapes,waterfalls etc) Last edited by schnitzer79; 04-29-2014 at 06:27 AM.

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04-29-2014, 06:35 AM	#2
Basie Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Photos: Gallery Posts: 989	rather get a 8 stop fixed. The good ones do not have colour cast issues, but even then can be removed in post if you shoot RAW. For moving water etc in landscapes or seascapes 30 seconds work well, but at ISO 100 and F22 it needs to be twilight outside to make it work with a 6 stop. And if you go to the very small apertures you can get diffraction issues and great magnification of sensor dust I have never used the vari ones, but as you say, they are quite expensive. A 62 mm with step down should work fine, but you can get vignetting with a wide angle with the step down ring Enjoy

04-29-2014, 07:01 AM	#3
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	thanks for the reply man.any idea what the difference between the hoya hmc nd and the hoya pro nd?

04-29-2014, 07:15 AM	#4
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I am also looking to experiment with ND filters and just picked up a Hoya Pro 10 stop from Amazon. I'll post back with some results. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZ83CU2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

04-29-2014, 07:32 AM	#5
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Originally posted by peterjcb I am also looking to experiment with ND filters and just picked up a Hoya Pro 10 stop from Amazon. I'll post back with some results. Amazon.com : Hoya Pro 49mm 1000x Neutral Density Filter, 10 Stops (3.0) : Camera Lens Neutral Density Filters : Camera & Photo u sure thats a 10-stop? it does state 10 stop but on the case it says ND64 which is 6 stop. whats the widest u will use it?

04-29-2014, 07:33 AM	#6
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	i use the Hoya ND400 9-stop filter, in three different sizes. quality is excellent and no real issues with sun flare. There is definitely a greenish cast, but shooting RAW makes that a non-issue. That Hama variable looks like trouble, IMO.

04-29-2014, 08:40 AM	#7
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	Originally posted by schnitzer79 u sure thats a 10-stop? it does state 10 stop but on the case it says ND64 which is 6 stop. whats the widest u will use it? it says 10 stop right in the description...I plan on using it with my DA15 I think that the photo does not refer to the actual item because it shows a 77mm and I ordered a 49mm?? The description says optical density 3.0 which is 10 stops according to the charts that I Googled. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter I'd be pretty upset it it came in as 1.8 optical density which is indeed 6 stops and would probably call the seller to return it. Last edited by peterjcb; 04-29-2014 at 08:52 AM.

04-29-2014, 12:00 PM	#8
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Gave it some thought and made some calculations based on previous shots and ended up buying a 10 stop ND. Will post some feedback next week when i get it

05-01-2014, 06:34 PM	#9
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I just received my Hoya Pro 49mm ND1000 10 stop filter....it's beautifully built and looks like excellent glass. I can't wait to take it for a spin this weekend.

05-01-2014, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#10
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	The guys here in Singapore are pretty happy with the Haida ND filters. I got myself a 10stop ND and couldn't be happier. Minimal color cast and its the easily correctable type which even more expensive 10 stop ND can't make the claim of. Slim filter ring too. Real Life Review of Haida ND Filter

05-13-2014, 06:00 AM	#11
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Originally posted by pinholecam The guys here in Singapore are pretty happy with the Haida ND filters. I got myself a 10stop ND and couldn't be happier. Minimal color cast and its the easily correctable type which even more expensive 10 stop ND can't make the claim of. Slim filter ring too. Real Life Review of Haida ND Filter seems like a decent ND filter actually.never heard of that brand before

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08-30-2014, 11:59 PM	#12
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Originally posted by schnitzer79 seems like a decent ND filter actually.never heard of that brand before According to the dealer here, its sold in the UK. (probably expanded to other places too by now since this was about a year ago when we had that conversation) I've been happy with the ones I bought. Low colour cast and easily correctable at that, filters are the slim type and cheaper than the famous brands. Taken with the filter and Pentax K24/2.8

08-31-2014, 12:10 AM	#13
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	Originally posted by pinholecam According to the dealer here, its sold in the UK. (probably expanded to other places too by now since this was about a year ago when we had that conversation) I've been happy with the ones I bought. Low colour cast and easily correctable at that, filters are the slim type and cheaper than the famous brands. i hadnt heard of them at the time, but since then I bought 2 haida ND filters and very pleased with them. the fact that they are slim is such a bonus since they hardly take up any space, plus any other ND filter than this would certainly not fit on my DA15 with the retractable hood

11-09-2014, 01:56 PM	#14
edgedemon Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Photos: Albums Posts: 309	Im in the market for an Haida ND filter or 2 for 2 purposes 1) So I can use my F1.2 lens in daylight wide open 2) long exposure night time cityscapes or street shots where I need longer exposures to get rid of all the people walking around. Could someone give me an idea of the ND values I should be looking for?

11-20-2014, 07:44 AM	#15
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248 Original Poster	1) if you go at the highest shutter speed, isnt it sufficient? im assuming just for general use right? a cpl could work well here. i tend to use mine a lot with my A50mm 1.4 when i shoot wide open outside 2)for night time cityscapes you could get away with using f11-f16, ISO 100, and without an ND. depends how long of an exposure you want. ive got a cpl, an 8 stop and a 10 stop ND, and so far theyve been working great. There are also variable NDs that vary from 2 to 10 stop, but I suggest you stay away since they can degrade quality of your images and also give a strong colour cast sometimes.