ND Filter

[noise0]

hi guys,
can anyone explain me how do ND filter works?
where is it usefull?
thanx a lot

[John_T]

The G5 has if built in as a menu option. It functions electronically.

It cuts light by about 2 stops which helps reduce bleach out from sky, reflections, bright spots. A physical ND filter is a sort of transparent gray which does the same job, though perhaps not as well as the electronic function.

[tonymac]

The reason you'd use an ND filter is to shoot with a wider aperture or slower shutter speed than the scene requires. For instance, if you're shooting in bright sunlight and want a shallow depth of field, you can use the ND filter and open the aperture an additional 2 stops to lower the DOF. Alternatively, you could do the same thing to use a slower shutter speed if you wanted to blur moving obects.

[12345Michael54321]

It functions electronically.

Does it? I vaguely recall reading a review of the G3 that mentioned the built-in ND filter was an actual physical filter, that moved into place when activated. Presumably, the ND filter works the same way on the G5 as it does on the G3.

Before reading this, I'd assumed it was electronic. That just seems like it'd make more sense.

It cuts light by about 2 stops

3 stops. This, at least, I am sure about. :)

I have some photos up at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mzimmet/falls/ that were taken with both the G3's built-in ND filter, and an additional B+W 3-stop ND filter.

[satnitefever]

The ND filter is a physical one, if you look into the lens you would see a layer appear as you turn on the ND filter.

[John_T]

You are right. That's great, I learned something. I had read somewhere in a review that ND was a chip function. Better if I check these things out myself before opening my big mouf.

[noise0]

mmm i guess it cuts mostly the lighter pixels, not mid tone and darker ones...
correct?

otherwise it is the same effect i can obtain reducing the exposure manually...

[dtsang831]

Here is some hints/samples on the usage:

http://www.twistedtreephoto.com/Article%20pages/article%20filters.html

[Peter Hilzendegen]

@noiseo

No, it cuts off the light all the same - no matter if lighter or darker tones.

Peter