ND filter beginner need help for videos / photos in Iceland

[claustro]

Hi all , my next travel will be in Iceland.

Till now I used a smartphone / Insta360 / GoPro for videos and A Nikon D80 for photos

I bought a fuji X-s10 that I would like to use for video and photography.

I never used an ND filter before and I am quite confused about the "right" ND number I will need. I suppose I would need different values for shooting video and for photography. I'll bring a tripod with me so I could try some long-exposure landscape.

Can someone suggest me what should I buy? I was thinking about 2 different lenses so I could stack it to cover a wider range of exposure vs a variable filter.

For a beginner like I am, I would start with a budget filter, I read good reviews about Freewell.

 

[crowley213]

Hi all , my next travel will be in Iceland.

Till now I used a smartphone / Insta360 / GoPro for videos and A Nikon D80 for photos

I bought a fuji X-s10 that I would like to use for video and photography.

I never used an ND filter before and I am quite confused about the "right" ND number I will need. I suppose I would need different values for shooting video and for photography. I'll bring a tripod with me so I could try some long-exposure landscape.

Can someone suggest me what should I buy? I was thinking about 2 different lenses so I could stack it to cover a wider range of exposure vs a variable filter.

For a beginner like I am, I would start with a budget filter, I read good reviews about Freewell.

Personally I use

- fixed screw-in ND filters for photography; a set of a 3-stop, a 6-stop and a 10-stop covers here all my needs; as I shoot these filters normally on a tripod there I have no problem that it may take a little longer to change the filters

- a variable 2-5 stop screw-in ND filter for video as it allows for faster change of the strength

Sure, you could also use a Variable ND filter for photography, maybe a set of a 2-5 stop and a 5-8 stop filters, here it’s just about philosophy and habits.

BUT… I would strongly recommend to rethink your idea regarding “starting with a budget filter because you are a beginner”! It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a “pro”, you want to have a filter that is up to the task. This means no (or minimized) color cast, no loss in sharpness, easy and comfortable to handle and to clean.

I do not know the brand you mentioned, I use Breakthrough filters. They are not cheap but definitely good, at least in my opinion.

Finally, at least for photography I would also consider a good CPL filter, it may be even more important and useful overall than a ND filter.

Herbert

 

[claustro]

Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Regarding the brand, I switched over NISI https://nisioptics.co.uk/
I am in doubt regarding 3 solutions.

1) ND kit FIXED ND8 ND64+CPL ND1000 160 euro

2) ND kit as above with an extra ND32000 (!) 205 euro

3) ND vario 1.5- 5 stop + 5-9 stop 149 + 139 euro total 288 euro

From what I read fixed filters give better results but considering my use 50% videos 50% photos, maybe a vario filter is a wiser choice for now.

 

[9ck]

Hi all , my next travel will be in Iceland.

Till now I used a smartphone / Insta360 / GoPro for videos and A Nikon D80 for photos

I bought a fuji X-s10 that I would like to use for video and photography.

I never used an ND filter before and I am quite confused about the "right" ND number I will need. I suppose I would need different values for shooting video and for photography. I'll bring a tripod with me so I could try some long-exposure landscape.

Can someone suggest me what should I buy? I was thinking about 2 different lenses so I could stack it to cover a wider range of exposure vs a variable filter.

For a beginner like I am, I would start with a budget filter, I read good reviews about Freewell.

Island is a fabulous place to visit as a photographer. Below a few long exposures from my visit in 2019.

There is no “right” ND number - it depends on the scene and the desired camera settings (mainly shutter speed when we’re talking landscape and long exposure). I guess you understand that with each stop you ad you can double your shutter speed. You can always half the shutter speed by increasing ISO 1 stop if you need a certain shutter speed with fixed aperture and NDs.

I have a combination of a 3-stop, 6-stop and 10-stop NDs which covers everything I do - I do not do a lot of video though and can see why a variable ND is preferred in this situation.

I started of with a set of circular NDs but have now invested in Nisi 100mm system. Nisi filters are of high quality. If you get circular filters I’d advice you to get filters for the largest diameter you’ll use. You can always put a stepping ring on the lenses with smaller diameter.

PS: Experiment with the shutter speed for moving water - longer isn’t always better . Mads Peter has a few videos I find interesting / helpful.

--
Kind regards 9ck

 

[spec68]

Hi all , my next travel will be in Iceland.

Till now I used a smartphone / Insta360 / GoPro for videos and A Nikon D80 for photos

I bought a fuji X-s10 that I would like to use for video and photography.

I never used an ND filter before and I am quite confused about the "right" ND number I will need. I suppose I would need different values for shooting video and for photography. I'll bring a tripod with me so I could try some long-exposure landscape.

Can someone suggest me what should I buy? I was thinking about 2 different lenses so I could stack it to cover a wider range of exposure vs a variable filter.

For a beginner like I am, I would start with a budget filter, I read good reviews about Freewell.

Like you I didn't have any experience with ND filters before last summer as I usually shoot wildlife. I took a trip out west to many of the national parks so a ND filter came into play for me.

ND filters being as expensive as they are (at least ones you'd want to put on your lens) I decided early on to go the variable route to get a feel of how each stop affects a scene. I bought the Polar Pro kit but returned it. I found it made weird coloring in the sky - then saw on YouTube that others had similar issues. So then I relunctantly bought the Freewell kit. I was pleasantly surprised. I used it on my 15-35 and there was only minor vignetting at the wide end. Color was good and didn't need a lot of correcting in post.

I can't say how accurate the stop listing on the filter is but there were times I had it set to 9 and I could have used another stop or two. Similarly the 2-5 filter was never dark enough to be useful to me. I could have done without that one and saved $100.

Overall I think the Freewell set is a good deal for learning how NDs work without sacrificing your work. I came back from the trip with some nice keepers. I really liked using the magnetic holder. It was super convenient to slap on when needed and then pull off one handed.

 

[Ellis Vener]

I go along with Crowley’s advice, especially about avoid low cost variable ND filters, also ones with a larger than 3 to 4 stop range.

This video might help you decide:

 

[crowley213]

Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Regarding the brand, I switched over NISI https://nisioptics.co.uk/
I am in doubt regarding 3 solutions.

1) ND kit FIXED ND8 ND64+CPL ND1000 160 euro

2) ND kit as above with an extra ND32000 (!) 205 euro

3) ND vario 1.5- 5 stop + 5-9 stop 149 + 139 euro total 288 euro

From what I read fixed filters give better results but considering my use 50% videos 50% photos, maybe a vario filter is a wiser choice for now.

I agree to a certain degree, Variable ND filter may make (more) sense for you at this moment, at least from an economical perspective.

I have never used a NISI filter, so I cannot state anything about their quality.

From the stated solutions I think number 3 could make most sense, as it would cover the range from 1.5 to 9 stops.

Nevertheless I still would recommend also a CPL, one of the most important filters in photography! But personally I would never ever go for a combined ND and CPL filter, only individual filters!

At the end of the day it is quite impossible to make any "really helpful" recommendation that "could cover everything", therefore the use of filters is way too complex! Think about aspects like

- camera and lens used, especially regarding focal length and aperture

- light conditions during shooting

- desired effects from the filters

- potential need to quickly change filters and / or stack filters

- negative effects of filters like vignetting, color cast, x-cross, loss in sharpness

Most likely you will need to go down the street all of us had to go... start shooting with some filters, evaluate what works and doesn't work and then adjust accordingly.

Herbert

 

[Forum GAS]

Cameras come and go, but filters last a lifetime as long as you buy a big enough size. Buy a filter for the largest lens you think you might own in the future, maybe 82mm. Then use step-up rings to fit smaller lenses. If you can, get magnetic filters. It will make life easier. Otherwise, buy a filter wrench for separating filters when they get stuck. The NISI may introduce color cast that will have to be corrected in post. Photographers have started moving away from graduated filters and make those corrections in post. A smaller APS-C sensor might need a graduated ND, unless you can exposure bracket. If you’re serious about photography, buy the most expensive you can afford Otherwise, go cheap

See the review below.

BEST FILTERS FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY | Vieri Bottazzini Fine Art Photography

Despite all the advancements in technology, the use of filters at the time of shooting is still fundamental: find out the best filters for you!

www.vieribottazzini.com

 

[claustro]

Thank you very much I read the article and even it is about square lenses should be give an idea of the general quality of the brand. I read about some magenta casting on the highest ND Nisi variable filter but no cast on the lower one

here

Following your input, I checked Kase filters and maybe I found a good solution for starting using ND filter learning what I like and what I need.

https://kasefilter.eu/kasefilters-round-vario-nd3-1000-filter-77mm?number=4260442046035

I know this will be far from a perfect filter, but for a beginner like me I think will be a great deal having to manage a single filter and switching easily from video to photo.



The problem for me isn't the price, but understanding what I really need and what I'll really use so spend a lot of money in the wrong thing is my main fear not spending a lot of money per se

Rounding the choice I think I will go for a variable filter , mainly for video reasons, in the future I can but fixed filter more photography oriented.

Nisi , Kase and PolarPro are the main contenders right now.

 

[claustro]

I really would like to thank you all for the great input and tips you gave me

Best holiday to you and your families.

 

[Ellis Vener]

Thank you very much I read the article and even it is about square lenses should be give an idea of the general quality of the brand. I read about some magenta casting on the highest ND Nisi variable filter but no cast on the lower one

here

Following your input, I checked Kase filters and maybe I found a good solution for starting using ND filter learning what I like and what I need.

https://kasefilter.eu/kasefilters-round-vario-nd3-1000-filter-77mm?number=4260442046035

I know this will be far from a perfect filter, but for a beginner like me I think will be a great deal having to manage a single filter and switching easily from video to photo.

The problem for me isn't the price, but understanding what I really need and what I'll really use so spend a lot of money in the wrong thing is my main fear not spending a lot of money per se

Rounding the choice I think I will go for a variable filter , mainly for video reasons, in the future I can but fixed filter more photography oriented.

Nisi , Kase and PolarPro are the main contenders right now.

I am using the PilarPro 2-5 stop variable ND for both stills and video. If I need a longer exposure I use a breakthrough.photography ND 3.0 (10-stop) ND.

 

[crowley213]

Thank you very much I read the article and even it is about square lenses should be give an idea of the general quality of the brand. I read about some magenta casting on the highest ND Nisi variable filter but no cast on the lower one

here

Following your input, I checked Kase filters and maybe I found a good solution for starting using ND filter learning what I like and what I need.

https://kasefilter.eu/kasefilters-round-vario-nd3-1000-filter-77mm?number=4260442046035

I know this will be far from a perfect filter, but for a beginner like me I think will be a great deal having to manage a single filter and switching easily from video to photo.

The problem for me isn't the price, but understanding what I really need and what I'll really use so spend a lot of money in the wrong thing is my main fear not spending a lot of money per se

Rounding the choice I think I will go for a variable filter , mainly for video reasons, in the future I can but fixed filter more photography oriented.

Nisi , Kase and PolarPro are the main contenders right now.

While a Variable ND with a range from 1.5 to 10 stops may sound intriguing in regards to the range it covers I would not recommend such a filter. Such a big range may imply problems you do not have in Variable ND filters with smaller ranges. There is a reason that reputable brands split the range up to 10 stops into two filters.

By the way, what is the widest lens / focal length / max aperture you plan to use with such a ND filter?

Herbert

 

[claustro]

able brands split the range up to 10 stops into two filters.

By the way, what is the widest lens / focal length / max aperture you plan to use with such a ND filter?

Herbert

Hi Herbert,

thank you for taking the time to answer me.

For now, I only have the kit lens 16/80mm

 

[crowley213]

able brands split the range up to 10 stops into two filters.

By the way, what is the widest lens / focal length / max aperture you plan to use with such a ND filter?

Herbert

Hi Herbert,

thank you for taking the time to answer me.

For now, I only have the kit lens 16/80mm

That’s helpful information, as

- your lens is relatively slow, means there is normally no need for the same more extreme ND filter strengths as you would need with a faster lens, for example f/1.4

- the shortest focal length of your lens should also still be okay in regards to vignetting overall and in case you would think about filter stacking, e.g. CPL and ND filters

Therefore I think a setup as Ellis Vener mentioned, means a good 2-5 stop Variable ND filter plus a good fixed 10-stop ND filter should cover most of your needs. And as already mentioned, if you don’t already have it, get yourself also a good CPL, a definitely very important and valuable filter for landscape photography.

Herbert

 

[claustro]

Thank you very much, I'll go for this route!.

I already own a CPL filter from my previous camera that fits the 16/80 lens. thx!