Fixed ND filters block a fixed f-stop of light from entering your camera. The lower the ND number, the less light it blocks from entering your camera.
For example, an ND4 filter blocks out 4 f-stop of light, and an ND blocks 10 f-stops of light. Fixed ND filters are usually preferable for photographers who tend to stick to the same level of light exposure or shoot in conditions where you can take your time to set up a shot or change filters if you need to. Use the chart below to understand the light reduction and transmission that results from each type of ND filter. As the name suggests, variable ND filters can be rotated to cover a number of f-stops.
Variable ND filters are great for photographers who work with changing light conditions, when you need to shoot fast. More on variable ND filters here.
You might also come across graduated ND filters. These differ in that they reduce light across only half your image. You might choose to use this filter if you want to darken the background of a scene, usually the sky, but leave the foreground untouched. Depending on the fade effect you want to achieve, you can also find soft-edge and hard-edge graduated ND filters.
The soft-edge type produces a smooth fade and is perfect for use with uneven horizons or when objects, such as mountains, cover part of the sky. Essentially, these filters cut polarised light from a scene to reduce glare and enhance both contrast and colours.
Multifunctional ND CPL filters are useful for when you want to control both glare and light, without having to stack multiple filters to achieve the desired effect. An f-stop specifies the aperture of a lens. The smaller the f-stop number, the wider the aperture, and the shallower the depth of field.
This is where ND filters come in to block a certain number of f-stops of light, so you can use those smaller f-stops and wider apertures in any setting. The most common f-stop densities for ND filters are those with two, three or four stops.
If you want to block out even more light to capture extra long exposures or balance light in harshly lit scenes, choose a stronger ND filter with a higher number, like an ND You can also combine ND filters to achieve a larger f-stop and boost the density strength, but be careful not to end up with an undesirable vignetting effect.
If you use a high density filter to get long exposures, consider using a tripod with your camera to stop movement. Visit our quick guide to aperture to get a better understanding of f-stops. The best advice is just to put one preferably a good quality make on your lens and experiment with what it can do. Not sure which one to start with? ND filters are some of the coolest camera accessories to play around with, allowing you to create unique photographic effects and unlock new creative possibilities.
Share this story Facebook Twitter Copy link. Learn how to harness one of the most useful filters for photographers: the neutral density filter. Rotation is smooth, with pleasing resistance. The filter is said to provide between one and five stops of light reduction, which we found to be accurate, but expect uneven light transfer beyond around three stops of reduction. Filter neutrality is good — image quality is exceptional, with little or no color cast evident, and good tone and contrast throughout the image.
A slight textured edge to the front element makes adjustment easy, and there are clear markings between the minimum and maximum points. At the minimum setting the filter enables you to lengthen the exposure by one stop and influences color with a slight coolness.
We found that increasing the intensity to the maximum marked setting produces a heavy black X, but pull back a little and you can extend exposure times by almost eight stops although images do need retouching to remove the color cast.
Hama claims the filter is coated, but gives little detail of the benefits. Arriving in a quality plastic case, the Cokin ND X is an extremely slim, lightweight screw-on filter with a premium feel. The front element rotates smoothly, with a good amount of friction holding the filter precisely where you want it to be set. At the minimum setting you can expect an exposure reduction of one stop, and the filter to add just a touch of warmth.
Red and blue color casts do affect the image, but overall contrast and tone are good and the casts are easily corrected. In our tests, we found that four stops provides the optimum setting. The Kenko is a relatively deep filter, but it has the very useful addition of an optional knob that can be screwed in to assist with the easy rotation of the front element. However, the overall build quality is good. In use the Kenko filter provides a stop of exposure extension at the minimum setting, and a blue X across the image at the maximum marked setting.
However, the extra depth does make this filter prone to the effects of flare. Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight.
He's also the team's man-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all manner of camera accessories — his lab is a bit like the Batcave of photography!
With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys.
Usually ISO is very good quality so of course I would choose that. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. What is an ND filter? For more in depth description including different types of ND filters and this table explanation check out my post ND filters in Timelapse The main misconception ND filters change the exposure, so the brightness of the whole image.
Why we use NDs? NDs for drones I feel like the most of the misconceptions come from drone pilots. Aperture The second reason is the aperture. Author Tomasz. Are you too lazy for timelapse? Brad Pippin 8 months ago Reply. Great explanation of ND filters! Write A Comment Cancel Reply. Loading Comments
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