4 stop ND filter, anyone use one? Examples?

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 17:25

Does anyone on here use a Lee 4 stop ND filter? I'm thinking about getting one for slow shutter speeds in fairly bright conditions. I'd love to see any examples if anyone has one?

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 18:36

Thanks mate, I'm after examples of just an ND filter though as I want to see what type of effects can be achieved with slow shutter speeds in daylight

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 18:54

lol no worries

I'm actually thinking I might get one of these as it would save a lot of messing about!

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 19:33

Jotun said:
Looks similar to something I made using 2 CPLs, and taking one apart and reversing the element. Basically is a variable ND filter. Not had a chance to try it out properly yet though. It gives about 2-7 stops. It will go up to 8 but everything goes blue Although if you are after 77mm then 2 CPLs would cost quite a bit anyway. I just got two 58mm CPLs for £30 to play round with.

I had a Nikon CP that got stolen, not got round to replacing it yet but they are £70 ish off the bay (as apposed to the £180 ish over here!!!). Once you factor in the cost of me replacing my Lee filter holder, adaptor ring and buying a couple ND filters, the Lee solution costs the same amount anyway so it seems to make more sense.

I've read you can't use a CP with the vari filter but to be honest I had such a nightmare trying to screw my Lee filter holder in to the CP in the past that I hardly bothered lol

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 19:56

Thats jsut the sort of thing I was looking for, thanks King. What brand of 18 stop did you use?

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 20:29

King4aDay said:
B+W. Can get them from the very fast warehouse place. £58 for 77mm.

lol!! cheers

Thats very cheap!! Do they give any colour cast issues or are they good quality? I;ve had bad experience with Cokin in the past and good experience with Lee and I know Singh Ray are the best(?).

Where do B&W fit in to the scale?

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 20:38

Amp34 said:
$440!

I'll take one! If you're buying...

$340 for the slim mount 77mm which is what I'd need

Thats actully cheaper than the Lee route I was going to go (already have some Lee filters). Thinking about the B&W thing now though depending on the quality...

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 20:47

King4aDay said:
They do have a very slight warming cast, but it's never been an issue for me (I do shoot exclusively RAW though). I'd be amazed if even the Lee filters don't have some sort of cast, it's very hard to make truly neutral filters when you're talking 10 stops.

Ah right ok cool! Actually the Lee does have a slight colour shift thinking about it but like you I shoot in RAW

Very tempted by the B&W I must admit. At £55 its got to be worth a try at the very least!

Amp34 said:
Unfortunately I would need an 82mm filter.

That B&W looks pretty good yeah, I bet it's either an absolute fortune for 82mm or doesn't exist though. It would be just the thing for the shots I took last night, and i wouldn't have to worry about only having about 20 minutes of useable light a night.

Bugger!

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 20:57

Excellent. I think I'm going to order one - although I bet that fast warehouse place don't have them in stock! Saw them somewhere else but they were a 6-8 week special order only!!!

EDIT: Found them in stock, do they come in one size or is there a slim fit one too? I can't see one anywhere but thought I'd ask...

Also, the 0.6 filter is more expnsive which seems a bit odd!!

SilverPenguin · 26 Jan 2008 at 21:35

King4aDay said:
I don't know of a slim fit. They aren't too fat, I don;t have problems on my 10-20.

I have found one but you can only get it in the states it would appear!

If I was shooting the D2x still I wouldn't be worried but with the D3 being full frame...

EDIT: Standard 77mm 10 stop ordered. Should be fun playing with this next week

SilverPenguin · 2 Feb 2008 at 11:14

Filter arrived a couple of days ago. not had a chance to use it yet but my god its dark when you look through it lol. In daylight the D3 will still focus with it on so thats good as it should reduce me having to take it off to compose and then screw it back on, although I have no doubt that will be the case when light levels start to drop.

SilverPenguin · 2 Feb 2008 at 14:31

King4aDay said:
I find the D200 won't meter properly through it either (constantly underexposes), so you'll probably find you need out work out exposure times yourself. I found after a while I could have a good guess and get it right most of the time without actually having to do the maths!

Yeah metering is out the window for the most part but I figured I'd have to do some manual work with the filter on so that wasn't too much of a surprise.

Might pick up a 6 stop as well at some point!