Starting out with my first filter

snips86x · 31 Jan 2014 at 17:20

Looking to get a cheap filter just to play around with, what are your comments on this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fader-Variable-Filter-Neutral-Density/dp/B009NVRYX8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Eventually looking to get some Cokin Z Pro's but I want to get used to using the filters and the varying results.

Columbo · 31 Jan 2014 at 17:33

Cheap and ND do not go well together, I cant comment on that exact one you've linked to but I have bought cheap before and ended up buying again.

Colour casting is the main issue, the longer the exposure the worse the effect gets.

How many stops are you wanting to lengthen your exposure by?

snips86x · 31 Jan 2014 at 18:00

I don't really know to be honest. I kind of wanted to get feel for using it before committing to buying some decent filters. If we say 2-3 stops, what would you recommend?

Columbo · 31 Jan 2014 at 19:51

For 3 stops have a look at this one

I've got a 77mm 10 stop ND3.0 1000x made by the same company and its superb.

Hunders · 31 Jan 2014 at 20:05

Have a look at Haida Nd filters. They're fantastic and highly regarded while also being very reasonably priced!

snips86x · 31 Jan 2014 at 20:16

Columbo said:
For 3 stops have a look at this one

I've got a 77mm 10 stop ND3.0 1000x made by the same company and its superb.

That looks spot on, just what I'm after.

Hunders said:
Have a look at Haida Nd filters. They're fantastic and highly regarded while also being very reasonably priced!

Thanks for this one, little out my price range at the moment. Appreciate the recommendation.

Hunders · 1 Feb 2014 at 00:22

snips86x said:
Thanks for this one, little out my price range at the moment. Appreciate the recommendation.

Columbo linked to the exact one I recommended

snips86x · 1 Feb 2014 at 07:47

Hunders said:
Columbo linked to the exact one I recommended

Must have missed that one, sorry! :rolleyes:

Baron C · 4 Feb 2014 at 20:58

I was messing with filters too, as a learner I went for the 3stop filter. It's a good start point.

a1ex2001 · 4 Feb 2014 at 21:27

Baron C said:
I was messing with filters too, as a learner I went for the 3stop filter. It's a good start point.

And also often produces a nicer more subtle results than the 10 stop everyone normally opts for. I think waterfalls look much better with a shorter exposure 9 times out of ten.

Baron C · 4 Feb 2014 at 22:48

a1ex2001 said:
And also often produces a nicer more subtle results than the 10 stop everyone normally opts for. I think waterfalls look much better with a shorter exposure 9 times out of ten.

Yeah, I had a chat with a friend who said similar thing, his take was that the movement of water should feel etheral without looking crunched up...( it made sense to me at the time

theheyes · 4 Feb 2014 at 23:23

As with most things photography skimping on stuff is usually false economy. You're better off investing in quality and if it doesn't work out for whatever reason sell it on (if it's good gear you shouldn't have trouble moving it on)

snips86x · 6 Feb 2014 at 07:09

Columbo said:
For 3 stops have a look at this one

I've got a 77mm 10 stop ND3.0 1000x made by the same company and its superb.

Hunders said:
Have a look at Haida Nd filters. They're fantastic and highly regarded while also being very reasonably priced!

I bit the bullet and bought it yesterday, bring on the sunshine!

Hunders · 6 Feb 2014 at 11:08

It's a really great filter. I've since sold mine after changing to Fuji but I will get another in the correct size at some point.

Mount-Batten-Rocks by Connor Hundley, on Flickr

Raymond Lin · 6 Feb 2014 at 13:17

That's a lovely photo.

Hunders · 6 Feb 2014 at 14:52

Thank you. It was a beautiful sunset and I wish I had the chance to take more shots but the girlfriend was up on the breakwater shouting that she was cold so I had to up tripod and leave.

Shelster · 6 Feb 2014 at 15:01

Great Pic there Hunders.

Am guessing you didn't take that over the last few days as been uber-wild weather and you may have been slightly washed away.

Had a stalk through your flickr and some great shots of the Yard there, one of my fave places to visit in Plymouth

Hunders · 6 Feb 2014 at 15:24

Haha yeah, I'd be dead for sure. That picture was taken in November. Plymouth Hoe looks like what I imagine it might have during the blitz after the storm we had.

I do enjoy visiting William Yard - it's almost like your not in Plymouth. The girlfriend and I enjoy having some grub at Wagamamas and then popping over to the Bakery for some afters.