ND Filter ?

jtack · 12th of April 2012 (Thu)

Hi,

I have a 60D/Sigma 17-50 lens and a B+W 10 Stop ND filter. Looking at the MTF chart it looks like the sweet spot of that lens is F4. Does using the ND filter change this at all. I am planning on going out for the first time with the ND filter and was going to put the camera in AV mode/ISO 100/auto focus/get meter of shot/switch to manual focus/put nd filter on/go to TV or bulb mode to adjust my shutter speed. I have copied the chart found on these forums to calculate shutter speed with the nd filter in place. Does this workflow sound correct or would using a smaller F stop be better? Thanks!

argyle · 12th of April 2012 (Thu)

Your aperture will depend on the scene and the necessary amount of DOF that you need...you don't necessarily need to shoot with the lens at f/4.

1.) Set up and compose the scene, focus the lens (if using autofocus, set the lens to 'manual focus' after focusing). If your focus action is set to the back star button, no need to place the lens in manual focus mode.
2.) Determine a proper aperture to give the necessary DOF
3.) Set camera to manual mode and set the aperture you obtained in #2
4.) After metering the scene at the needed aperture, attach the filter
5.) Turn your shutter speed wheel 30 clicks to account for the 10-stop filter (assuming that your shutter speed wheel is set to the default 1/3-rd stops) If its set to 1/2-stops, then just turn it 20 clicks.
6.) Take picture. Rinse/repeat as necessary.

IMO, about the only time you'll need to calculate a shutter speed or refer to a chart is when bulb mode comes into play (shutter speeds longer than 30-sec). Simply turning the shutter speed wheel the 30 or 20 clicks is much easier and brainless and works whenever you're at 30-sec or faster. Plus, no need to fumble with a chart.

Some cameras that are equipped with Live View allow you to place the filter on the lens first and meter through the lens. The 5D2 will do this, and I've used this method with up to 12-stops (10-stop ND plus a polarizer) in good light. Can't say that the 60D LV will do this...best thing to do is try it out. No matter which method that you use (LV or focus/attach filter), shoot in manual mode. Av and Tv aren't very 'friendly' when strong density filters are in play.

jtack · 12th of April 2012 (Thu)

Thank you! If wanting to get maximum sharpness across the entire image something smaller than F4 would probably be better until I run into diffraction.

12th of April 2012 (Thu)	#1
jtack Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 376 IMAGE EDITING OK	ND Filter ? Hi, I have a 60D/Sigma 17-50 lens and a B+W 10 Stop ND filter. Looking at the MTF chart it looks like the sweet spot of that lens is F4. Does using the ND filter change this at all. I am planning on going out for the first time with the ND filter and was going to put the camera in AV mode/ISO 100/auto focus/get meter of shot/switch to manual focus/put nd filter on/go to TV or bulb mode to adjust my shutter speed. I have copied the chart found on these forums to calculate shutter speed with the nd filter in place. Does this workflow sound correct or would using a smaller F stop be better? Thanks!

12th of April 2012 (Thu)	#3
jtack Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 376 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: ND Filter ? Thank you! If wanting to get maximum sharpness across the entire image something smaller than F4 would probably be better until I run into diffraction.

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12th of April 2012 (Thu)	#2
argyle Cream of the Crop Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 8,170	Re: ND Filter ? Your aperture will depend on the scene and the necessary amount of DOF that you need...you don't necessarily need to shoot with the lens at f/4. 1.) Set up and compose the scene, focus the lens (if using autofocus, set the lens to 'manual focus' after focusing). If your focus action is set to the back star button, no need to place the lens in manual focus mode. 2.) Determine a proper aperture to give the necessary DOF 3.) Set camera to manual mode and set the aperture you obtained in #2 4.) After metering the scene at the needed aperture, attach the filter 5.) Turn your shutter speed wheel 30 clicks to account for the 10-stop filter (assuming that your shutter speed wheel is set to the default 1/3-rd stops) If its set to 1/2-stops, then just turn it 20 clicks. 6.) Take picture. Rinse/repeat as necessary. IMO, about the only time you'll need to calculate a shutter speed or refer to a chart is when bulb mode comes into play (shutter speeds longer than 30-sec). Simply turning the shutter speed wheel the 30 or 20 clicks is much easier and brainless and works whenever you're at 30-sec or faster. Plus, no need to fumble with a chart. Some cameras that are equipped with Live View allow you to place the filter on the lens first and meter through the lens. The 5D2 will do this, and I've used this method with up to 12-stops (10-stop ND plus a polarizer) in good light. Can't say that the 60D LV will do this...best thing to do is try it out. No matter which method that you use (LV or focus/attach filter), shoot in manual mode. Av and Tv aren't very 'friendly' when strong density filters are in play. __________________ "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son". - Dean Wormer GEAR LIST Last edited by argyle : 12th of April 2012 (Thu) at 11:58.