MPJ wrote in post #16643481
Hi
I am looking at getting some (Hi-Tech) ND (non-grad) filters for long exposures (1 sec and more). The retailer I approached recommended I use a ND/IR filter to mitigate the effect of long exposures letting IR radiation affect the sensor. So, I see this is down to a combination of what camera-sensor (I have a Canon 5d & 40d) & how long the exposure actually is. So does anyone have any experience of how long an exposure has to be before it's necessary to consider getting an ND/IR filter (a LOT more expensive than standard ND)
thx
MPJ
Heya,
1 second exposure times are not that long really. In broad daylight, this is very hard to do without filters. But in the shade, you can simply stop down to F22 or so, and do a 1 second exposure probably without an issue (like for shaded rivers/water falls). The same applies if you're doing near dark dawn/dusk shots of water like the beach, lakes, etc. You don't need filters for 1 second exposures in the low light situations.
If you want to do long exposure in broad day light, then you need serious filters. I've used a 3 stop and 6 stop in broad day light and it's still very bright. In broad day light stopped down to F22, even at 3 stops, you're looking at about 1~2 seconds. A touch more at 6 stops. I would get a 10 stop filter right out of the gate, if you want long exposure shots in broad day light. If you're in the shade, or low light, you don't need 10 stop, and you likely can do it without a filter.
That said, I use hitech filters and I like how it works. I use a 3 stop a lot and a 3 stop GND soft edge for a lot of scenes like sun sets at the beach and stuff. I like long exposure. I'm waiting for my 10 stop to arrive, because one thing I've learned about ND filters is that if you like using them, you'll always want to try longer and longer exposures and a 10 stop is the only way to really achieve that in bright light.
Very best,
