ND filter 3 or 6 stops?

[philipus]

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I'm looking to buy a B+W ND filter but have trouble deciding whether I should get a 3-stop or a 6-stop filter.

 

Has any of you faced a similar conundrum? If so, I'd be very grateful for how you reasoned in coming to a decision.

 

Cheers and thanks in advance

Philip

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[250swb]

It depends what you want to do with it. If it is to increase the exposure when using a fast lens wide open I use a 3 stop filter. But if it is for using along with a tripod to make water look smooth and milky I would say a 6 stop would be best.

 

Steve

[Tinchohs]

Along these lines.

 

(1) Do ND filter significantly impact image quality?

(2) Which brand would you recommend for a Leica MM to be able to shoot wide open during the day?

(3) Do color filters affect image quality?

(4) Again, any brand recommendations for yellow filters?

 

 

Thanks so much.

[spydrxx]

I went with a 3 stop B+W ND filter a couple of years ago and have been pleased with that choice. I've never found a need in my work for anything greater.

[jdlaing]

Look at a Heliopan Variable ND filter.

[MT710]

Finally I went for a 2 stop B&W only for the purpose of compensating in sunny situations, when a 400 ISO film is in the camera and I want more options of aperture and time. I hardly use it, though (and I have no Summilux or Noctilux I would want to use wide open ). If I was to buy again, it would be the 3 stop.

 

Michael

[Paul J]

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I use both the 3 and 6 stop. They are both very useful depending on the lighting conditions and application. Where are you based? In the UK, for example, you would probably get more use out of the 3 stop.

 

3 stop you get the added benefit of using higher shutter speeds.

You need the 6 stop with flash as you're tied to 180th sync.

Also know that the 6 stop has quite a strong colour cast. But the warm tone is very pleasing and I like it.

[philipus]

I'm mainly in The Netherlands and Sweden so weather-wise it'd be similar to the UK, I guess.

 

I also read that 6-stop filters have a warmer colour cast but I think I wouldn't mind that, actually. I've been thinking if 6 stops would be too much but I think it might be ok.

 

B+W has two versions of the 6-stop, single and MRC-coated. Reading around, it seems MRC filters 1) are easier to clean due to the increased resistance, and 2) let more light through. Easier to clean is a good thing, but not really super necessary I would think. To let more light through seems to contradict the purpose of an ND filter.

 

My current thinking is therefore to go for the single coated 6-stop B+W filter.

[Paul J]

I would go for the multi coated, personally. At first, actually, I found cleaning the MRC an issue and then found a 'lenspen' cuts through the haze that you see on the filter instantly so it's not a problem at all. I've not compared the two filters but would imagine the MRC is a step up in terms of flare resistance and colour.

 

In terms of letting more light through, well...6 stop reduction is 6 stop. You can't have more light and still lose 6 stops. Perhaps they mean it's a bit more than 6 because of the coating? I've not noticed that.

 

I actually like the colour cast created. It's a very nice tone.

 

In over cast lighting you will find your shutter speeds a bit low with the 6 stop. It's useful in full sun though. Especially with flash. A 3 stop gives you much more usability in less than full sun and you get to take advantage of 1/4000th shutter speed.

[kdriceman]

I'm mainly in The Netherlands and Sweden so weather-wise it'd be similar to the UK, I guess.

 

I also read that 6-stop filters have a warmer colour cast but I think I wouldn't mind that, actually. I've been thinking if 6 stops would be too much but I think it might be ok.

 

B+W has two versions of the 6-stop, single and MRC-coated. Reading around, it seems MRC filters 1) are easier to clean due to the increased resistance, and 2) let more light through. Easier to clean is a good thing, but not really super necessary I would think. To let more light through seems to contradict the purpose of an ND filter.

 

My current thinking is therefore to go for the single coated 6-stop B+W filter.

 

I have one of each and find occasion to use both fairly often. I decided that since I have something like $10,000 in lenses a few more $$'s to have the filter I want is worth it. I also buy the MRC filters because I have had some issues with unwanted filter glare/reflection and I believe MRC is expected to help that. Again a few $$'s more, but it seems if I'm spending this kind of time and money on camera, lens, film, post processing, a little more on filters might help some of those images be better.

[philipus]

In over cast lighting you will find your shutter speeds a bit low with the 6 stop. It's useful in full sun though. Especially with flash. A 3 stop gives you much more usability in less than full sun and you get to take advantage of 1/4000th shutter speed.

 

Thanks Paul. You raise several very good points. Since i only use film I'm limited to 1/1000. But since I usually shoot ISO400, even on an overcast f5.6 day I could shoot at about 1/60. That was my thinking behind choosing the 6-stop. It would work well with my Summiluxes but of course less so with the 90 Elmarit-M. So a 6-stop might after all be somewhat limiting. Hmm decisions decisions.

[Guest tanks]

Also, if you are using B&W film along with color filters you will lose a stop as well, depending on the filter. something else to consider.

[philipus]

Thanks tanks. The only other filter I use is a UV haze filter.