what filter to get ( day time long exposure shots)

[The-great-328ic]

What filter should I get for long exposure shots during the day? I know is the neutral something, but that's all I know

TIA

[rammy]

Neutral Density (ND) Filter. NOT the graduated (GND) ones. Have a look through here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=315987

[Mark_Cohran]

And with Neutral Density Filters you can get various strengths - they are stackable (to achieve a stronger effect), as long as you are careful of vignetting on wide angle lenses.

[The-great-328ic]

thanks guys, that link is very helpful

[Stime187]

The real question is how long of an exposure are you looking to get? Enough neutral density to blur water can be had with just a 3 or 4-stop ND filter, but if you want to get into true long exposures in daylight, you'll need on the order of 9-10 stops of ND.

I'll probably be picking up one of these pretty soon so I can achieve 1+ minute exposures in daylight...

B+W 77mm 10-stop ND Filter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ku=8120&is=REG

- Scott

[The-great-328ic]

probably 10-30 seconds

[Stime187]

In that case, I'd say you'll need AT LEAST 7 or 8 stops of neutral density. And while you CAN stack them, it's always in your best interest to get it done in as little glass as possible, so one would be optimal.

Normal = Probably 1/8 s is the best you can do in daylight at your lowest ISO and f/22. That even might be a bit generous, may not even be able to get that slow.

1 = 1/4 s
2 = 1/2 s
3 = 1 s
4 = 2 s
5 = 4 s
6 = 8 s
7 = 16 s
8 = 32 s
9 = 64 s
10 = 128 s

Hopefully that will help break it down a bit better...

- Scott

- Scott

[The-great-328ic]

that did help thanks

any brand in specific I should look for?

[scot079]

The real question is how long of an exposure are you looking to get? Enough neutral density to blur water can be had with just a 3 or 4-stop ND filter, but if you want to get into true long exposures in daylight, you'll need on the order of 9-10 stops of ND.

I'll probably be picking up one of these pretty soon so I can achieve 1+ minute exposures in daylight...

B+W 77mm 10-stop ND Filter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ku=8120&is=REG

- Scott

I've got the B+W 10 stop and I can get 30 second exposures in a bright, sunny, cloudless, midday sky. But I had to use ISO 400, so you can get well over 30 second @ ISO 100.

That thing is darker than dark8)

[John Hudson]

I've got the B+W 10 stop and I can get 30 second exposures in a bright, sunny, cloudless, midday sky. But I had to use ISO 400, so you can get well over 30 second @ ISO 100.

That thing is darker than dark8)


I've got the B&W #110 (ten stop) and #120 (20 stop filters). The ten stop gets the most use, with the twenty stop you are looking at exposures measured in minutes even on a bright sunny day.

The ten stop is just about right for daylight long exposures. With the ISO lattitude of modern dslrs it's quite flexible.

John.

[scot079]

I've got the B&W #110 (ten stop) and #120 (20 stop filters). The ten stop gets the most use, with the twenty stop you are looking at exposures measured in minutes even on a bright sunny day.

The ten stop is just about right for daylight long exposures. With the ISO lattitude of modern dslrs it's quite flexible.

John.

20 stop? That's insaaaane! :-)

OP-forgot to mention the Singh Ray Vari ND that changes from 1-8 stops, or something like that. I've never tried it but read good reviews on it.

[John Hudson]

20 stop? That's insaaaane! :-)


Yes it is. I bought the 20 stop filter thinking that "biggest is best", unfortunately I quickly found out that it is far too dark to use even on moderately bright days.

The ten stop filter is the much better option. It was about £60 (including import duties to the UK from B&H) for a 77mm size.

John.

[sando]

Anyone found a good gallery of day-time long exposure pictures, yet?

[John Hudson]

There are a couple of Flikr groups for long exposures.

One called "long exposure" and one called "Long exposure, extreme neutral density"

[scot079]

Here's one with a 10 stop ND and Hitech .6 GND handheld for 30" (I forgot my filter holder)
I'm not too fond of it so don't go giving me crap :-)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u264/scot079/IMG_8081.jpg

Edit: By "handheld" I mean I held the GND on the lens, not that I held the camera in my hands for 30"...HAHA