rjsphd Posted March 31, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 31, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am off to Iceland in a short while and expect to need a ND filter for water shots. I have 3 lenses: a 21mm and 35mm taking E46 and a 75MM taking E60. I like the idea of variable filters, but they may be overkill and are pricey, so I want to get it right. My gut tells me I will use the filters mostly on the wide angles, so go with the smaller diameter rather than an E60 with step-up/down ring for the E46. Or maybe a 6-stop filter is enough for most situations. I welcome your thoughts and advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 31, 2016 Posted March 31, 2016 Hi rjsphd, Take a look here ND Filter Dilemma. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Rick Posted March 31, 2016 Share #2 Posted March 31, 2016 For many applications like water shots you may be better off without an ND filter. You could instead shoot 10 images for example at 1/20 sec and combine them in PS. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencoyote Posted March 31, 2016 Share #3 Posted March 31, 2016 For many applications like water shots you may be better off without an ND filter. You could instead shoot 10 images for example at 1/20 sec and combine them in PS. Rick Interesting idea. Can you explain more of "better off" part? Just less gear? I'm curious. I never thought of trying that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 31, 2016 Share #4 Posted March 31, 2016 Let's say you would like a 5sec timed exposure. Instead of using an ND filter you could, for example: 10 shots X 1/2 sec exposure = 5 sec equivalent exposure The best part is that you do not have to use an ND filter (could degrade image with reflections and theoretically an extra piece of glass). Also you would have a shot with basically no noise because, at 200 iso your effective iso becomes 20. 200 iso / 10 shots = 20 iso (effective). And, you don't have to worry about tripod shake over 5 seconds. Next, open PS. Import. Open as layers. In layers select all of the layers and select edit menu and then auto align layers. From layers menu choose create smart object. Then from the layers menu choose smart objects, stack images, mean. You can now view the time lapsed image and you may have to crop a tiny bit if they didn't quite line up. Now you have a sharp image of a 5 second exposure, with an effective iso of 20 without the problems caused by an ND filter. Hope this helps, Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 31, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 31, 2016 I use a Lee system now for my landscape filters but when I used screw in I usually took a 6 stop ND and a polariser in each size. Polariser can't be truly replicated in post processing and it makes a decent 2 stop ND when *wound down*. Personally I always prefer to do it in camera if possible. This kind of blending is no fun for me. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 31, 2016 Share #6 Posted March 31, 2016 I use a Lee system now for my landscape filters but when I used screw in I usually took a 6 stop ND and a polariser in each size. Polariser can't be truly replicated in post processing and it makes a decent 2 stop ND when *wound down*. Personally I always prefer to do it in camera if possible. This kind of blending is no fun for me. Gordon Me too. Unless, I didn't bring an ND filter. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted March 31, 2016 Share #7 Posted March 31, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) You have to remember not to shoot in phase with the waves or the water smoothing just won't occur. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 31, 2016 Share #8 Posted March 31, 2016 You have to remember not to shoot in phase with the waves or the water smoothing just won't occur. I use an app that calculates the periodicity of the waves and suggests the correct shutter speed. Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted March 31, 2016 Share #9 Posted March 31, 2016 I use an app that calculates the periodicity of the waves and suggests the correct shutter speed. Rick My app is called Cabernet .....I like your technique Rick I'm going to give it a try...Thank You for shairing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante Posted April 1, 2016 Share #10 Posted April 1, 2016 Maybe two polarizers, crossed, will do the job. That's all a variable ND is anyway. Color balance may be bluish, but you can probably fix it in post. Dante Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted April 1, 2016 Share #11 Posted April 1, 2016 Maybe two polarizers, crossed, will do the job. That's all a variable ND is anyway. Color balance may be bluish, but you can probably fix it in post. Dante One of the polarisers needs to be reversed for this to work properly. Easy enough but you need to mark which one is which. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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