Stop-Down Filter

OK, in Scott Kelby's "The Digital Photography Book", he mentions using a "stop-down filter" - "a special darkening filter that ... is so dark it shuts out most of the light coming into your camera. That way you can leave the shutter open for a few seconds."

I have searched B&H and Adorama as well as Amazon and just Googled it. I can't find anything on a "stop-down filter." Is there another name for it?

Look for 'neutral density filter'. They are available in a variety of densities, to decrease light transmission at different EV levels.

Wilt,

In his book, Kelby has one section (page) where he specifically speaks to neutral density filters that are graduated from dark to transparent. Are you saying the "stop-down filter" is a neutral density filter that is not graduated from dark to transparent but rather is totally dark?

Here are a couple from a rookie using the Hoyla ND -8 for the first time with a 70-200L 2.8f non-IS

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Here is one with maybe a better crop???

Oh, that is my wonderful daughter in the above picture. Home for the Holidays, and I couldn't be any happier or any prouder of her.

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EdV wrote in post #2439531
Wilt,

In his book, Kelby has one section (page) where he specifically speaks to neutral density filters that are graduated from dark to transparent. Are you saying the "stop-down filter" is a neutral density filter that is not graduated from dark to transparent but rather is totally dark?

There are 'neutral density filters' and there are 'graduated neutral density filters'. Kelby is talking about 'graduated neutral density filters' in his reference to graduated from dark to transparent, and these were invented as 'creative' filters to help with the dynamic range of sky vs. shadow area. Normal 'neutral density filters' are uniform in density across the entire filter, and are what he is calling 'stop down filter'...I don't know why he calls them this, since the filter manufactures all call them 'neutral density filters'!

Thanks. Now I know what to look for!