Post your Wide Open + Neutral Density + Strobe(s) photos

idsurfer wrote in post #16419030
So my Hoya Vari ND got here a little while ago. Here are two test shots for sharpness and color shift. THese were taken with the EF-85 1.8. This lens has a 58mm thread. So I used a 58-->67 and 67-->72mm step up rings on it. I do not notice vignetting with this set up. Both shots have about 30 seconds of PP including slight exposure bump, a little clarity, and WB level taken from the white of her eye. THe initial shots were a tad warm for my taste, fixed with one click! Initial impression is that this filter destroys the LCW I had before. It was unusable in terms of softness. Maybe I had a dud? Sadly the sun has gone behind the clouds for probably an undetermined period of time. But, I think I am going to be very pleased when using flash, wide apertures, and bright conditions. And this filter was CHEAP! I don't even want to say what I paid for this thing, but it was a steal! Thanks for recommending it fashionrider !! BTW, 100% zoom to the eyes in LR and they are TACK sharp!!

Glad to know you're satisfied with it, I know I am! Great shots! Try and see what you can do outdoors, put your flash on full blast, and darken the background as much as you can with a shallow DOF.

idsurfer wrote in post #16419030
So my Hoya Vari ND got here a little while ago. Here are two test shots for sharpness and color shift.

thanks

can you show us how it looks shooting into a light source? eg like the sun?

Just for fun, here are a couple shots with the siggy 35mm paired with the new Hoya. First shot near the lighter end and the second shot near the dark end. Again, it was really dark! Minimal PP, did cool the WB down a bit. But the big thing is that it is sharp! 67-->72mm step up ring doesn't seem to be an issue. Yeah Bobby, no hood going on this set up. But TBH, I get a little lazy with hoods sometimes and other times I am going for a little flare anyhow. I think this filter will be a nice tool to add to the kit.

f/2.0 focused on left eye.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …07520039@N08/10​635011735/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …07520039@N08/10​634996624/

LOL The bobble head effect is great!

fashionrider wrote in post #16419409
Glad to know you're satisfied with it, I know I am! Great shots! Try and see what you can do outdoors, put your flash on full blast, and darken the background as much as you can with a shallow DOF.

eventsof1768 wrote in post #16419411
thanks

can you show us how it looks shooting into a light source? eg like the sun?

Reply to both quotes.......This is why I bought it, to shoot outdoor in bright conditions, with wide apertures, and full flash, and hopefully kill the sun! But, unfortunatly the sun may not appear again in this region for a while. Hopefully it will reappear and I can get some remnants of the fall colors with nice shallow Dof. Thanks again for posting the examples fashion rider, those sold me.

JakAHearts wrote in post #16419439
LOL The bobble head effect is great!

Isn't that hilarious !

The sun has tried to peek out today but refuses to allow me to use much ND. Here is a selfie with a moderate amount dialed in with the Hoya. I LOVE the variable aspect. Makes it so easy to dial in however much ND is needed/desired. eventsof1768 I did shoot right into the sun for a few shots and it was pretty ugly. Unpleasing flare d/t the filter. Maybe with a little practice one could get better results. I don't usually use flash for sun flare shots anyhow. I guess it could come into play if using the filter for video.

Again, minimal PP, no added sharpening, and simple auto WB from the 5D3...no WB adustment at all! I can't believe the sharpness and contrast this filter is retaining!

85 1.8 @ f/2.0

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/coryshuler/10​657041514/

idsurfer wrote in post #16421613

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/coryshuler/10​657041514/

WOW. Your images look like you've been shooting with an ND filter for a while! great shots! seriously can't wait to see what you can truly do once you get good with it.

Good examples idsurfer, i think i have new nd

idsurfer wrote in post #16421613
The sun has tried to peek out today but refuses to allow me to use much ND. Here is a selfie with a moderate amount dialed in with the Hoya. I LOVE the variable aspect. Makes it so easy to dial in however much ND is needed/desired. eventsof1768 I did shoot right into the sun for a few shots and it was pretty ugly. Unpleasing flare d/t the filter. Maybe with a little practice one could get better results. I don't usually use flash for sun flare shots anyhow. I guess it could come into play if using the filter for video.

Again, minimal PP, no added sharpening, and simple auto WB from the 5D3...no WB adustment at all! I can't believe the sharpness and contrast this filter is retaining!

85 1.8 @ f/2.0

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/coryshuler/10​657041514/

Now I can put a name to a face!!! heheheh... Hey Cory... How's my sister doing these days?

E640 cam. Lt, in a socked PCB SHOBD (silver BD), E640 behind model cam Rt, with 7" reflector, barn doors, and 1/2 cut CTO gel, triggered with the Cyber Commander System, shooting with a Canon 7D, 70-200mm f/2.8l MKII, and 5 stop ND filter

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/rsieminski/9007​634210/

airbutchie wrote in post #16423834
Now I can put a name to a face!!! heheheh... Hey Cory... How's my sister doing these days?

Haha! No doubt...however I could pick you out of a crowd after that goofy iPhone vid you sent back with your sis a couple years ago!! Haven't seen her in a while since I switched up places of employment. Need to give her a shout!

Had a play with the Hoya Vari again today. Very sunny. No problem obliterating the sun, but a single speedlite didn't stand a chance either despite being just out of the frame. As so it begins...the quest for more power! I just can't go there!!

Here's one, medium amount of ND dialed in with the yn-565ex in a lastolite soft box.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/coryshuler/10​770219934/

Being that there are no hard stops on the Vari-ND's, how does that work into your workflow?

My workflow example:
Measure ambient: 1/200th, f/11, ISO100 (mid day sun)
Adjust strobe(s) to light subject at f/11
From f/11 to f/1.4 is 6 stops
Grab the 6 stop ND filter, change aperture to f/1.4
Shoot, shoot, shoot

Please describe your workflow to get accurate ND, and exposure with the Vari-ND's.

rsieminski wrote in post #16439263
Being that there are no hard stops on the Vari-ND's, how does that work into your workflow?

My workflow example:
Measure ambient: 1/200th, f/11, ISO100 (mid day sun)
Adjust strobe(s) to light subject at f/11
From f/11 to f/1.4 is 6 stops
Grab the 6 stop ND filter, change aperture to f/1.4
Shoot, shoot, shoot

Please describe your workflow to get accurate ND, and exposure with the Vari-ND's.

Here is a write up to gotglade's Vari ND workflow. I am finding this is basically how I do it. In step #3 I am using the in camera meter for the BG exposure. It tends to run 2/3 underexposed. So I am finding this is the only time I can actually dial the needle in for "correct" exposure and have it come out how I would like ! I usually shoot a little to the right, but that's a whole nutha topic! fashionrider followed up with this helpful hint if using a handheld light meter.

edit: I have a question for you...When dialing your aperture from f/11 to f/1.4 after having adjusted strobe for f/11, do you not have to readjust your strobe as f/1.4 would seemingly allow up more efficient flash power based on the whole "aperture controlling flash" theory?