Experience with ND filters

[chuckw]

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I just purchased a relatively strong B+W neutral density filter (# 106 for 6 stops of light reduction) so that I can use my f1.4 lens at full aperture on bright days. B+W's own literature states, with that particular strength filter, that images may be warmer due to higher transmission of red.

 

I am wondering if anyone else is using this particular filter, or a similarly strong ND filter, and whether this is a problem or not?

 

B+W does say that a UV/IR cut filter can be stacked in front of ND filter if this is a problem but I'm really not too enthused about stacking filters in front of a Summilux lens.

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[lars_bergquist]

I do not stack filters, either. Even if this would be optically harmless (which I doubt) there is also the matter of vignetting. Leica-branded filters especially have quite deep rims.

 

Now if there is a slightly warmer rendering -- which does not mean that the pictures go all red -- then that might conceivably be a problem if you shoot slide film. In digital? No. However you do your PP, there is a slider somewhere to correct colour temperature.

 

The old man from the Age of the Canon 0.95

[chuckw]

I do not stack filters, either. Even if this would be optically harmless (which I doubt) there is also the matter of vignetting. Leica-branded filters especially have quite deep rims.

 

Now if there is a slightly warmer rendering -- which does not mean that the pictures go all red -- then that might conceivably be a problem if you shoot slide film. In digital? No. However you do your PP, there is a slider somewhere to correct colour temperature.

 

The old man from the Age of the Canon 0.95

 

Thanks for the reply. I also tend to doubt that stacking filters is harmless; at least I would rather error on the side of caution. I didn't mention it previously but I am using the lens on an M9 so there is some built-in filtration for IR. Also, since I shoot raw nearly 100% of the time, I certainly do have the opportunity to correct color temperature. I guess my concern is that some strange color shift might be introduced that would not be correctable with the simple slider. For example, I believe that the color shift in some M8 shots made without an IR filter were very difficult to correct in software.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Chuck,

 

They do sell 3 stop filters also ya know. that seems to do it for me most of the time in Los Angeles, riding just on the edge.

 

That said, I have not experienced a problem with the "color shift".

 

 

.

[Guest mc_k]

I just purchased a relatively strong B+W neutral density filter (# 106 for 6 stops ...

 

I would be interested how this works out for you.

[chuckw]

I am the original poster. I have now received the 6 stop ND filter and have had a chance to try it out. In my initial testing I am not seeing any objectionable color shift and, if one shoots raw, the color temperature is easily adjusted. Overall I'm very happy with the filter!

 

That said the 6 stops is almost too much for handheld shots at f1.4 on all but the very brightest days. It will however work very well for water falls, flowing surf and that sort of thing - any time a tripod can be used. As suggested, I will probably add a 3 stop ND filter to my collection for general use.

[Guest mc_k]

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thanks, I was also interested in using f/1, f/1.4 outdoors and have found my 3 stop filter not nearly enough. I assume the solution is to have several different strengths and stack them two at a time, but I haven't tried yet.

 

I would not use any additional UV/IR filter, etc.