What filter is best for waterfalls and creeks?

What filter is best for waterfalls and creeks
I live in Washington state and I will probably be doing alot of my photos when its about 70f outside and partly cloudy and even during winter time.
There is alot of creeks under the trees and small little water fall coming out of the mountain side along the mountain roads.
I would like to capture that very long flow very soft water look where it looks more like smoke then water kinda look to it.
Rocks and trees around me need to stand out if possible.

I may want to use the filter in bright sunny location or at the beach? If possible I would like to get a filter I would only need to buy one that has a pretty good range of what I can do with it, but for the most part, 85% of the time it will be used for what I described above.

What woudl be the best filter for these type of locations?

A circular polarizer would be your best bet.

Or look into the singhray vari ND duo. More pricey but more customizable in it's use.

CPL will not help to get slow shutterspeeds. (maximum light loss = about 2 stops)

You need an ND filter.

I just bought a Marumi DHG Super Polarizer Filter yesterday, but for a different reason from this one.

Can I add 2 filters on my camera? (Just wondering if the option to do that is there)

How do I know which ND filter I need to get? since I would only like to buy one ND filter and be good.
I don't wanna spend more then like $60 online price for a lens filter if possible.

Measure the light at the scene, then determine what shutterspeed / aperture you want to use.

Then you can easily calculate the required number of stops you need to filter.

http://www.ephotozine.​com …utral-Density-filter-4871
http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html
http://www.cs.mtu.edu …ide/filter/filt​er-ND.html

René Damkot wrote in post #10672509
Measure the light at the scene, then determine what shutterspeed / aperture you want to use.

Then you can easily calculate the required number of stops you need to filter.

http://www.ephotozine.​com …utral-Density-filter-4871
http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html
http://www.cs.mtu.edu …ide/filter/filt​er-ND.html

Looks like the ND filters are a really must have for what I want for photo in general and it seems like you really need more then one..
That Vari-ND Filter looks like a good buy, but priced at $260 is a little out of my range, lol..
I will read up on those links you sent me and see which one I should get for a first one and see what I need from there.

Thanks

I have a B&W 10 stop ND and it produces this.Is this what your looking for?

SimpleJack wrote in post #10672472
I just bought a Marumi DHG Super Polarizer Filter yesterday, but for a different reason from this one.

Can I add 2 filters on my camera? (Just wondering if the option to do that is there)

How do I know which ND filter I need to get? since I would only like to buy one ND filter and be good.
I don't wanna spend more then like $60 online price for a lens filter if possible.

You shouldn't have a problem at all with using two filters (CPL + ND) in combination, provided they are both quality filters (these two are basically a must for waterfall photography). Look for a polarizer that doesn't leave a color cast, such as a B+W Kaesemann. Some (such as Marumi) leave an obvious blue cast, which becomes a PITA in post. Also, due to their nature, very strong ND filters, such as the B+W 10-stop, will oftentimes leave a magenta cast due to IR comtamination. This is pretty common with strong ND filters, and gets worse as the filter quality gets lower...all the more reason to use quality filters. Beyond that, the only thing to watch out for when stacking filters is vignetting, which will be dependent on the focal length of the lens.

To get the silky water effect, you'll need to get your shutter speed down to at least the 1/2-second range, and usually slower. The strength of the ND is dependent upon the ambient light at the time, so its very difficult to recommend a single filter. But as an example, suppose you meter a scene at f/16 and 1/250-sec. To reach the 1-second shutter speed, you'd need 8 stops of ND filtration (125-60-30-15-8-4-2-1). If you have a good polarizer, that should account for 2-stops, so you'd need a 6-stop ND filter to make up the difference. In not-as-bright light, you'd need less ND...it just all depends. With that being said, in addition to a good polarizer, I'd recommend carrying two ND filters, a 3-stop and a 6-stop. Considering your location, these should cover you for most situations. A 2-stop ND wouldn't be necessary since the CPL would do double duty.

Also, when you start getting into even longer exposures (60-seconds or so), its best to use your hat or something else to cover the VF during the exposure...this will keep stray light from entering and 'clouding' the image.

I just got a B+W 110 ND. This was taken with a Polarizer as well, 30sec / f11 / iso 100 in full sun. If you do get one shoot RAW and then you can correct the very warm color tint in post.

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Wow! 12 stops is a lot, but as the results show, that 30 seconds was necessary. Great shot!

Yes Stargazer, that is the type of images I would like to get. I like how the water is soft and all the landscape around it stayed clear and bright. That's what I want

I really love the smooth water flow of MGH's photo with the bright blue sky also

I think I want to go with a 8 stop or 10 stop. I would rather go strong and work my way down instead of starting in the middle.
Would probably go for a 4 or 6 for a next ND filter
I'm having a problem finding a good filter.. I see some say 110 stop and some say 1.3 and o.9 and some just say 8 or 6 or whatever..

Looking at their lens filter sample images on the websites, I can't figure out what they are talking about as I'm not advanced enough in this category to know what I'm suppose to be looking for on the numbers..
I would also like a lens I can stack, just to be able to have that option is good, even if I shouldn't

Is this the one I need right here? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_110_Neutral_De​nsity.html
I don't see much of a detailed description as in what mounting type so I know if I can add other filters to it or if the lens is multi coated or what

SimpleJack wrote in post #10677377
Yes Stargazer, that is the type of images I would like to get. I like how the water is soft and all the landscape around it stayed clear and bright. That's what I want

I really love the smooth water flow of MGH's photo with the bright blue sky also

I think I want to go with a 8 stop or 10 stop. I would rather go strong and work my way down instead of starting in the middle.
Would probably go for a 4 or 6 for a next ND filter
I'm having a problem finding a good filter.. I see some say 110 stop and some say 1.3 and o.9 and some just say 8 or 6 or whatever..

Looking at their lens filter sample images on the websites, I can't figure out what they are talking about as I'm not advanced enough in this category to know what I'm suppose to be looking for on the numbers..
I would also like a lens I can stack, just to be able to have that option is good, even if I shouldn't

Is this the one I need right here? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_110_Neutral_De​nsity.html
I don't see much of a detailed description as in what mounting type so I know if I can add other filters to it or if the lens is multi coated or what

Its the correct filter...the B+W 110 is a 10-stop filter. Also has front threads for stacking. Its not multicoated, then again B+W doesn't multicoat their NDs to my knowledge (its really not a big deal, TBH). Clicking on the Specifications tab in the link will tell you everything you need to know about the filter.

Its your decision but, personally, I wouldn't go with a 10-stop filter to start out with. The 10-stop is more of a 'specialty' filter and not something that you'd use all the time (and the look can get overdone). But if you do go that route, definitely get a CPL that's neutral if you plan on stacking, or you'll get funky looking blue skies and a blue cast to the image.

It really doesn't take much to get the 'smoky' water (to use your terminology), especially in overcast conditions with tree cover. The 10-stop in these conditions will make for some very, very long exposures. This shot was taken along Oak Creek in Sedona, AZ in the early morning. My only filter was a B+W Kaesemann CPL, and the shutter speed was just under 1-second (0.8 to be exact). No ND filters of any type. As you can see, it really doesn't take a lot to get the effects you're after, especially when the conditions are right. In extremely bright light, a stronger ND would be necessary. But if you're in overcast/shaded conditions as you find in the Pacific NW, the 10-stop would be a bit much in my opinion (especially if stacking an additional 2-stops on it with a polarizer).

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argyle wrote in post #10677459
Its the correct filter...the B+W 110 is a 10-stop filter. Also has front threads for stacking. Its not multicoated, then again B+W doesn't multicoat their NDs to my knowledge (its really not a big deal, TBH). Clicking on the Specifications tab in the link will tell you everything you need to know about the filter.

alright thanks, I will order this one. Read some things about it and seen image sample and I like what I see.

I don't know why I didn't notice Clicking on the Specifications tab lol.. I have on other filters on the same site.. haha..

Very nice clear picture.

I'm looking for extreme filter that will challenge me and reward me with something very different, but with a CPL added that I ordered might be a little too much.
I live next to the sea, so lots of sunsets on the water opportunity's and it can be very bright down there durring the day.
Any recommendation for a lighter ND filter for the PNW? I plan on getting 2 or 3 ND filters
Maybe a 6 stop would be a better choice instead of the 10? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …nsity.html#spec​ifications

SimpleJack wrote in post #10677563
Very nice clear picture.

I'm looking for extreme filter that will challenge me and reward me with something very different, but with a CPL added that I ordered might be a little too much.
I live next to the sea, so lots of sunsets on the water opportunity's and it can be very bright down there durring the day.
Any recommendation for a lighter ND filter for the PNW? I plan on getting 2 or 3 ND filters
Maybe a 6 stop would be a better choice instead of the 10? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …nsity.html#spec​ifications

I carry several...a 3, 6, and 10, plus some very good polarizers. I also use a Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo, which is variable ND from 2-8 stops, plus a built-in polarizer for another 2 stops. I'm not trying to change your mind on the 10, just that I wouldn't recommend it as the sole filter. But near the coast in bright daylight, and what you're trying to achieve, the 10-stop (and probably a stacked polarizer to kill glare) would be a benefit under those conditions.