Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

vladimiroltean · 08-02-2011, 03:48 AM

Hi, first of all sorry if this is in the wrong section. I am looking for an ND filter to allow me to take long exposures in the middle of the day. Most of my lenses have a 49mm thread so that will be the diameter of the filter too. I don't know how many stops to choose though. Is Hoya HMC NDx8 ok? And do ND filters induce flare, softness or reduce IQ? Many thanks.

**Ash** · 08-02-2011, 04:04 AM

Thread moved. Do consider posting in the forum that is most relevant to your topic to ensure you get a captive audience to your threads.

As for your request, there are a number of varieties of ND filters, and the higher the number, the greater the blockage of incident light intensity (and therefore permitting longer exposures). It depends on your needs whether you should go for a 4x or 8x filter, but sticking with Hoya HMC will ensure that there will be negligible effect on IQ.

twitch · 08-02-2011, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

Hi, first of all sorry if this is in the wrong section. I am looking for an ND filter to allow me to take long exposures in the middle of the day. Most of my lenses have a 49mm thread so that will be the diameter of the filter too. I don't know how many stops to choose though. Is Hoya HMC NDx8 ok? And do ND filters induce flare, softness or reduce IQ? Many thanks.

What shutter speed do you want to achieve, that will determine which ND filter to buy.

**interested_observer** · 08-02-2011, 06:35 AM

There is also the ability to stack the filters. So you could buy 2, say a 2 and 4, stack then essentially creating a third filter of a 6, or get a 4 and an 8 to also provide a 12. In this way you will have the ability to somewhat adjust the amount of filtering achieved to some degree.

Singh-Ray's Vari-ND is an adjustable filter, where you can "dial in" the amount of filtering you want. Along the same line of thinking, I understand you can make your own variable ND filter by taking two polarizing filters and stack them. Then by rotating one over the other, you create the ability to "dial in" the amount of filtering. I have also read that for this stacking of two polarizing filters you can use two linear polarizers rather than 2 of the more expensive circular polarizing filters (CPLs).

tuco · 08-02-2011, 08:46 AM

Middle of the day and no filter could be f16 and 1/60 or 1/125th under bright conditions. So how long is "long" for you? Start subtracting stops from those numbers and you'll see that a 10-stop ND filter will get you down to 8 or 16 seconds under those conditions. Not very long by my "long exposure" book. I'd say get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. And possibly a 3-stop as well. The 3-stop will cover situations in lower light or twilight that a 9 or 10-stop will be too much.

The Hoya NDX400 is about 9-stops and is pretty "neutral". The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that.

vladimiroltean · 08-02-2011, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by tuco

Middle of the day and no filter could be f16 and 1/60 or 1/125th under bright conditions. So how long is "long" for you? Start subtracting stops from those numbers and you'll see that a 10-stop ND filter will get you down to 8 or 16 seconds under those conditions. Not very long by my "long exposure" book. I'd say get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. And possibly a 3-stop as well. The 3-stop will cover situations in lower light or twilight that a 9 or 10-stop will be too much.

The Hoya NDX400 is about 9-stops and is pretty "neutral". The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that.

Oh ok, this is the kind of info I was searching for. Of course 1/60 is not "slow shutter speed" and neither is 16 seconds (that would be about average). But I get the point: add one stop and you can double the shutter speed. Then what filters would be best suited to make seawater and clouds look creamy? (read "what shutter speed is necessary", I can do the math myself).

tuco · 08-02-2011, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

Oh ok, this is the kind of info I was searching for. Of course 1/60 is not "slow shutter speed" and neither is 16 seconds (that would be about average). But I get the point: add one stop and you can double the shutter speed. Then what filters would be best suited to make seawater and clouds look creamy? (read "what shutter speed is necessary", I can do the math myself).

You're shooting digital, no? Well, you can always take more than one shot and combine to make even a longer exposure, I hear. The duration you need all depends on speed of things of course. Slow moving clouds it could take a long time. Really creamy ocean will depend on how high the white caps of the waves are. Here are some example on BW film to give you an idea.

240 Seconds

60 Seconds. And would probably look the same at 30 sec

60 Seconds

120 Seconds

vladimiroltean · 08-02-2011, 12:28 PM

Those shots are great. And thanks for the shutter speed information, pretty precious stuff. By the way, where can one find this type of scenery?

tuco · 08-02-2011, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by kcobain1992

Those shots are great. And thanks for the shutter speed information, pretty precious stuff. By the way, where can one find this type of scenery?

Thanks. Click on a picture and it will take you to my Flickr page where I have it identified on the map feature. But they are along the Oregon/Washington coast in the USA.

northcoastgreg · 08-09-2011, 10:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by tuco

The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that.

I always wondered if it had a color cast. It is a very dark filter; it blacks out the view finder almost completely (although you can still use LV). Generally, I have found that I can correct whatever color issues are caused by the B&W with white balance corrections in post. But occasionally I'll run across an image that cannot be corrected for realistic colors, irrespective of what I do with it.

Whatever its defects, I have enjoyed using the B&W 3.0 10 stop filter, and have taken some of my best photos with it:

I believe the exposure for all these images was around 30 seconds.

GDRoth · 08-09-2011, 10:12 AM

Fantastic images, guys!

My mind is racing with ideas.............this will keep me busy for months!

liukaitc · 08-09-2011, 08:32 PM

Can also consider fader ND..

ZEPsikopat · 08-10-2011, 06:33 AM

I've used the B+W 113 while in Crete, but never noticed any unrecoverable color cast (it's slightly greenish, but nothing really important)

Note that if you have a K-5, you can use the contrast detection autofocus even with the filter on (was working even on sunset light)

Mike Cash · 08-10-2011, 06:54 AM

I just got a ND400 the other day and can't wait to try that sucker out.

08-02-2011, 03:48 AM	#1
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	What ND filter? Hi, first of all sorry if this is in the wrong section. I am looking for an ND filter to allow me to take long exposures in the middle of the day. Most of my lenses have a 49mm thread so that will be the diameter of the filter too. I don't know how many stops to choose though. Is Hoya HMC NDx8 ok? And do ND filters induce flare, softness or reduce IQ? Many thanks.

08-09-2011, 10:05 AM - 1 Like	#10
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,175	Originally posted by tuco The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that. I always wondered if it had a color cast. It is a very dark filter; it blacks out the view finder almost completely (although you can still use LV). Generally, I have found that I can correct whatever color issues are caused by the B&W with white balance corrections in post. But occasionally I'll run across an image that cannot be corrected for realistic colors, irrespective of what I do with it. Whatever its defects, I have enjoyed using the B&W 3.0 10 stop filter, and have taken some of my best photos with it: I believe the exposure for all these images was around 30 seconds. Last edited by northcoastgreg; 08-09-2011 at 10:20 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: DFA Macro 100mm f2.8 WR , B+W 67mm UV 010 Filter , Tiffen 62mm Softnet Black 2	Dirtistasty2	Sold Items	14	08-07-2011 10:41 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 16-45mm DA, 67mm UV filter, 58mm UV filter (Worldwide)	treue_photo	Sold Items	6	04-23-2011 01:28 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax and Albinar 2x TCs, 2 Cokin A filter sets, 49mm Filter and Macro tubes	pxpaulx	Sold Items	15	02-11-2010 09:09 PM
Infrared Filter help? Bad filter and technique	Peter Zack	Photographic Technique	13	10-16-2007 06:52 AM

08-02-2011, 04:04 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Thread moved. Do consider posting in the forum that is most relevant to your topic to ensure you get a captive audience to your threads. As for your request, there are a number of varieties of ND filters, and the higher the number, the greater the blockage of incident light intensity (and therefore permitting longer exposures). It depends on your needs whether you should go for a 4x or 8x filter, but sticking with Hoya HMC will ensure that there will be negligible effect on IQ.

08-02-2011, 04:16 AM	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by kcobain1992 Hi, first of all sorry if this is in the wrong section. I am looking for an ND filter to allow me to take long exposures in the middle of the day. Most of my lenses have a 49mm thread so that will be the diameter of the filter too. I don't know how many stops to choose though. Is Hoya HMC NDx8 ok? And do ND filters induce flare, softness or reduce IQ? Many thanks. What shutter speed do you want to achieve, that will determine which ND filter to buy.

08-02-2011, 06:35 AM	#4
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	There is also the ability to stack the filters. So you could buy 2, say a 2 and 4, stack then essentially creating a third filter of a 6, or get a 4 and an 8 to also provide a 12. In this way you will have the ability to somewhat adjust the amount of filtering achieved to some degree. Singh-Ray's Vari-ND is an adjustable filter, where you can "dial in" the amount of filtering you want. Along the same line of thinking, I understand you can make your own variable ND filter by taking two polarizing filters and stack them. Then by rotating one over the other, you create the ability to "dial in" the amount of filtering. I have also read that for this stacking of two polarizing filters you can use two linear polarizers rather than 2 of the more expensive circular polarizing filters (CPLs).

08-02-2011, 08:46 AM	#5
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Middle of the day and no filter could be f16 and 1/60 or 1/125th under bright conditions. So how long is "long" for you? Start subtracting stops from those numbers and you'll see that a 10-stop ND filter will get you down to 8 or 16 seconds under those conditions. Not very long by my "long exposure" book. I'd say get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. And possibly a 3-stop as well. The 3-stop will cover situations in lower light or twilight that a 9 or 10-stop will be too much. The Hoya NDX400 is about 9-stops and is pretty "neutral". The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that.

08-02-2011, 11:51 AM	#6
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465 Original Poster	Originally posted by tuco Middle of the day and no filter could be f16 and 1/60 or 1/125th under bright conditions. So how long is "long" for you? Start subtracting stops from those numbers and you'll see that a 10-stop ND filter will get you down to 8 or 16 seconds under those conditions. Not very long by my "long exposure" book. I'd say get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. And possibly a 3-stop as well. The 3-stop will cover situations in lower light or twilight that a 9 or 10-stop will be too much. The Hoya NDX400 is about 9-stops and is pretty "neutral". The B&W 10-stop ND filter, on the other hand, has a color cast and they finally started advertising that. Oh ok, this is the kind of info I was searching for. Of course 1/60 is not "slow shutter speed" and neither is 16 seconds (that would be about average). But I get the point: add one stop and you can double the shutter speed. Then what filters would be best suited to make seawater and clouds look creamy? (read "what shutter speed is necessary", I can do the math myself).

08-02-2011, 12:20 PM	#7
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Originally posted by kcobain1992 Oh ok, this is the kind of info I was searching for. Of course 1/60 is not "slow shutter speed" and neither is 16 seconds (that would be about average). But I get the point: add one stop and you can double the shutter speed. Then what filters would be best suited to make seawater and clouds look creamy? (read "what shutter speed is necessary", I can do the math myself). You're shooting digital, no? Well, you can always take more than one shot and combine to make even a longer exposure, I hear. The duration you need all depends on speed of things of course. Slow moving clouds it could take a long time. Really creamy ocean will depend on how high the white caps of the waves are. Here are some example on BW film to give you an idea. 240 Seconds 60 Seconds. And would probably look the same at 30 sec 60 Seconds 120 Seconds

08-02-2011, 12:28 PM	#8
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465 Original Poster	Those shots are great. And thanks for the shutter speed information, pretty precious stuff. By the way, where can one find this type of scenery?

08-02-2011, 12:40 PM	#9
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Originally posted by kcobain1992 Those shots are great. And thanks for the shutter speed information, pretty precious stuff. By the way, where can one find this type of scenery? Thanks. Click on a picture and it will take you to my Flickr page where I have it identified on the map feature. But they are along the Oregon/Washington coast in the USA.

08-09-2011, 10:12 AM	#11
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	Fantastic images, guys! My mind is racing with ideas.............this will keep me busy for months!

08-09-2011, 08:32 PM	#12
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	Can also consider fader ND..

08-10-2011, 06:33 AM	#13
ZEPsikopat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 109	I've used the B+W 113 while in Crete, but never noticed any unrecoverable color cast (it's slightly greenish, but nothing really important) Note that if you have a K-5, you can use the contrast detection autofocus even with the filter on (was working even on sunset light)

08-10-2011, 06:54 AM	#14
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	I just got a ND400 the other day and can't wait to try that sucker out.

What ND filter?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!