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Really worth it to buy ND filter?

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Teeps
Posts: 308 - Karma: 2,590

I have recently been looking into buying a ND filter. When skiing on those really bright days, is it really worth having a ND filter? Or is it just easier to lower the aperture? Also, do ND filters make for a better image? Does anyone have experience with using them and can say they have noticed a big difference in image quality?

Just general thoughts on them and what they can do is appreciated as well.

Thanks

May 19 2013 1:18PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
there are literally hundreds of blogs/ websites that could tell you this information and more on the internet.

the main point to make though is putting an ND filter on =/= decreasing the aperture size
May 19 2013 1:30PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Nd filters are only meant to decrease the amount of light coming through the lens, so the effect is the same as closing down the aperture (making it a bigger number). If its a bad quality one it might degrade the image a bit, but it doesn't make it better or worse usually. Basically it just lets you use a lower shutter speed/aperture (lower numerical value that is) when its bright out.
I have one for my 50mm which is nice for shooting at low aperture when its sunny out, but I haven't gotten one for my other lenses yet. Someone else can probably comment on wide angles and stuff
May 19 2013 1:51PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
it doesn't affect the depth of field though, so other than that, this^
May 19 2013 2:46PM
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CBROOKS
Posts: 4979 - Karma: 10,708
NO.


ND's are great for filming skiing during the day. I find that without one I'm shooting up in the f22 range all day (assuming you're on a DSLR here..) If you throw an ND on you can come down to f9 and you will get significantly better DOF, which tends to make for a better looking image. That's not always a good thing though, you need to be on point hitting focus and paying more attention to keeping the same distance from your rider if you are following them.

I suggest getting a variable ND, but don't spend less than $200 or you may well find yourself with an inconsistent / degraded image.

May 19 2013 2:49PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
^ Less than 200? Do you mean 20?
May 19 2013 3:02PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
no, that shits expensive
May 19 2013 5:07PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
My bad meant to say that obviously the aperture controls the depth of field and such. I meant like on a sunny day when you're already shooting wide aperture (say f8) its basically the same. Basically they just reduce light so you can use lower shutter speed or faster aperture.
May 19 2013 5:26PM
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.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
double post derp, but couldn't you just google it instead of making a thread about this...

May 19 2013 5:26PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
I know it's expensive but I'm pretty sure you can get a goo one for around 50ish and up
May 19 2013 5:48PM
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steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
They're really not that good in that price range though. I bought a $100 fader ND for my 17-50 and at the filter's darker settings there is not consistent exposure across the frame. It's only really somewhat usable when at it's max setting when the lens is at 50mm.
May 19 2013 6:22PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
dude it's specialist equipment, you get what you pay for
May 19 2013 7:02PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
lold
May 19 2013 8:10PM
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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
why does every piece of video equipment have to be so god damn expensive
May 19 2013 8:44PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9300 - Karma: 7,706
in my opinion no. I don't notice enough of a difference between shooting at 1/60 or 1/2000 shutter, just crank that shit
May 19 2013 10:21PM
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eheath
Posts: 61683 - Karma: 123,905
After about 1/250 for 60fps there really isn't any difference, a ton of people shoot like that.


In the past i've shot 1/180 for 60fps but recently ive been shooting with other people who shoot 1/125 for 60fps so ive done that for my past few shoots and for some situations i really like it.
May 19 2013 10:28PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9300 - Karma: 7,706
i also prefer to shoot 2x the frame rate, but just haven't convinced myself to buy another ND filter. I have one on my 35mm at the moment and it's almost more of a hassle having it, it kind of adds another step to the process of exposure and has actually made me miss shots in the past
May 19 2013 10:36PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
no you can't, my b&w 3 stop fixed ND was $130

My nd saved my life on a shoot today
May 19 2013 11:15PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Well that's crazy then. I didn't realize ND's were so expensive. Heed no attention to my previous comment
May 20 2013 1:21AM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
story time
May 20 2013 4:28AM
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Daski
Posts: 658 - Karma: 2,348
I don't have any experience with ND filters; having said that, if your lens has an infinity focus thing (yeah, thats definitely the technical term for it), then making the aperture a bigger number would be fine as long as you use the infinity focus thing. If everythings in focus, than depth of field doesn't make a noticeable difference, except in how light/dark the image is.
May 20 2013 9:16AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
No...lenses have peak sharpness, so say you are forced to stop down to f16 instead of f8, ya more would be in focus but it would be less sharp.

Cliffy, I was doing a shoot with this very attractive young women and needed that nd so I could shoot my rz wide open in bright light
May 20 2013 9:59AM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
Haha ohhh i thought you meant it literally saved your life, like stopped a bullet or something
May 20 2013 3:05PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9300 - Karma: 7,706
ND filters aren't bullet proof
May 20 2013 3:12PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
Click for larger image
May 20 2013 3:21PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9300 - Karma: 7,706
i hope you're face palming yourself. How the fuck would a ND filter literally save someone's life?
May 20 2013 3:27PM
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Teeps
Posts: 308 - Karma: 2,590

Haha thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate the responses, they where all very helpful.

May 20 2013 4:35PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
next time you're shopping, you should go get yourself a Sarcasm Meter in the You're A Retard store. i think it would suit you great
May 20 2013 4:40PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
gud 1 dude!!1!
May 22 2013 3:10AM
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1337
Posts: 31061 - Karma: 29,366
yes it is worth buying an ND because #Art is made by shooting with narrow DOF
May 22 2013 2:15PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Photo gear is expensive for two reasons:

1) The R&D needed to produce them is huge, setting the profit bar relatively high.

2) We encourage those prices by buying it. Because we are brainwashed into thinking that we actually need half the shit they market in order to produce great work.
May 22 2013 5:19PM
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