What is Neutral Density (ND)?
November 23, 2009 - 1:23 pm
This video explains into the basics about using Neutral Density (as known as “ND”) lens filters for camera lenses and video camcorders. Enjoy!
Music: I still haven’t found what I’m looking for by U2 // Exit by U2
Duration : 0:7:20
[youtube w1f2prDLVV0]
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Well, you’re better …
Well, you’re better off with a circular polarizer because ND is good for using higher apertures, slower shutter speeds, or high ISO sensitivity, doesn’t do any effect to the photograph.
Circular polarizer reduces the unwanted reflections, enhances the colors, and also darkens the sky.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Fantastic. Thanks …
Fantastic. Thanks for this amazing video. I am interested in Time Lapse Photography and therefore I’m searching Neutral density filters. Any tips on which is the best filter for all around daytime time lapse shooting? Say if I took a picture every second in sunny weather?
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
This is a great …
This is a great video sir, lots of effort put into it. Great fun to watch and very infomative. Thumbs up.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
simple and …
simple and straightforward for everyone.
LOVE THE VIDEO
LOVE THE MUSIC
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Not very much …
Not very much people ask for ND recommendations, I always recommend them B+W ND 0.9X (3 stops) or 1.8X (6 stops, for very fast prime lenses).
I made this video last year, I think Hoya ND8X, way before B+W filters came out.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi, may I know …
Hi, may I know which ND filter you most commonly use, in terms of amount of light blocked?. Ie, which one is most useful and versatile: ND2 ND4 ND8. . . . ? Thanks, and kind regards, may I also know which filter [ND2, ND4. . . .] you used at 4:00 ? cheers!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
thanks for the …
thanks for the advice.
The videos are awesome and have been really helpful. Thanks
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
It’s quite a nice …
It’s quite a nice all-in-one ND filter for a good price but the quality of the filter is below poor. It’s normal quality for all-in-one’s. A set of 3-4 B+W filters will deliver your needs without any quality change.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
What’s your view on …
What’s your view on the Singh-Ray Vari-ND?
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
For a general use …
For a general use ND filter, what can you recommend in terms of thickness?
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Long story short …
Long story short for you, when they first invented gradient ND filters, they accidentally called it graduated instead of gradient. Too late to change the name. Graduated is like you just finished high school or college. Gradient is where two colors are being combined together (White > light grey > grey > dark grey > black). So, yeah, “graduated” and “gradient” means the same.
You could use Circular Polarizer to darken the sky but doesn’t work on cloudy sky.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
yep i got it after …
yep i got it after seeing your video. initially i couldn’t see it beos my internet has slowed down.
You say gradient filter? is that the same as graduated filter? may be here in australia we call it graduated filter? anyway i want to use this filter in sky-land photography where sky is so bright and the foregraound is dim.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Were you looking at …
Were you looking at the wrong side of the filter?
The 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED-IF DX have a ∞52mm filter thread on the front, you would need a gradient ND filter that is in 52mm size. Some filters do not have an additional thread on the front (”thin” version to reduce vignetting for wide angle lenses), most filters have additional thread on the front. B+W have the biggest section of gradient ND filters so check it out.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
ok i got it after …
ok i got it after watching it !!! thanks…my internet is so slow(quata is over for november)
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
i have a nikon d60 …
i have a nikon d60 with a standard lens that comes with a kit ie AF-s 18-55mm. i like to buy a graduated fiter for landscape photography. but im confused how i can attach the filter on to my lens. the lens has threads only on the inner surface ie the the outside surface of the front of the lens has no threads but inside surface has. so im confused. secondly i don’t know the diameter too. pls somebody help!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
k thanks
k thanks
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
ND 2X on the VX2100 …
ND 2X on the VX2100 is rarely used, it’s useful if you’re shooting in the front of the sun or for special effects (like water ripples). ND 1X is used often when shooting outdoors. Don’t use ND when you’re indoors, obviously.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
kind of off topic …
kind of off topic but i know you have a vx2100, so i was wondering for what and when the two nd filter options should be used. I kinda just got my vx2100 two days ago, and have been testing out all its features.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Yes, the 55mm …
Yes, the 55mm filters are compatible with your Sony DT 18-70mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens.
When you buy lenses, be sure to find out the diameter size for filters (55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm… etc). For example, your new lens have a 77mm filter thread – that means you will need a 77mm filters.
Very easy to remember.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi again Joseph, …
Hi again Joseph, when buying an ND filter (or any lens filter for that matter) does one need to worry about compatibility beyond the thread diameter? I ask because I would like to buy a set of lens filter for a beginner. Maybe UV, polarizing , and ND. I see some good deals on auction sites for B+W 55mm F-Pro lens filters. Will this lens filter be compatible with a Sony A100 and DT 17-80mm lens?