Need a little advice on nd filters.

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I'm going on holiday to Spain in a few months. I usually shoot with my 50mm and 85mm primes as I like portraits and candids.

I was thinking I might need an nd filter to take with me for both the 50mm and the 85mm is I want to shoot wide open in blazing sun.

What kind of grade or stop filter would be best?

Thanks.
 
it really helps if you can shoot higher shutter speed (1/800-1/16000) and if you have ISO 50 option in your camera.

As for ND filters I carry a 4 stop and a 10 stop filter. Normally only use 4 stop one.
 
it really helps if you can shoot higher shutter speed (1/800-1/16000) and if you have ISO 50 option in your camera.

As for ND filters I carry a 4 stop and a 10 stop filter. Normally only use 4 stop one.
I have the nikon d5200 and maximum shutter speed is 1/4000. On a really bright day with my lens wide open sometimes the 1/4000 is flashing at me telling me it can't go any higher. So I figured I might have to buy an nd filter. Thanks for the reply.
 
for both the 50mm and the 85mm


Hopefully, they are both the same size. If not, get the
larger one and a step up ring for the other lens. :cool:
 
Hopefully, they are both the same size. If not, get the
larger one and a step up ring for the other lens. :cool:
not always the best idea since OP is wanting to shoot in bright sunlight. The hood can help eliminate flare issues :) (and filter can cause more flares also)
 



… a step-up ring AND a screw type lens hood! :D
 
Portraits taken in harsh sunshine rarely look good so I'd be tempted to find some shade somewhere. If you do still find shutter speed too high you can drop the iso to the Lo setting (may be more than one on the D5200, not sure) that will effectively be a stop slower as such. If shutter speed is still too high then NDs are a solution, however they can cause flare and a loss of contrast in harsh light if you're not careful. If you can use the hood too which will help.

Me, I'd enjoy the sunshine and shoot when its not so bright and use the shade :)
 
Hopefully, they are both the same size. If not, get the
larger one and a step up ring for the other lens. :cool:
I never even knew you could buy them. Although I guess the hood wouldn't fit then. Still sounds like a useful thing to have. I'll look into one. Cheers.
 
Portraits taken in harsh sunshine rarely look good so I'd be tempted to find some shade somewhere. If you do still find shutter speed too high you can drop the iso to the Lo setting (may be more than one on the D5200, not sure) that will effectively be a stop slower as such. If shutter speed is still too high then NDs are a solution, however they can cause flare and a loss of contrast in harsh light if you're not careful. If you can use the hood too which will help.

Me, I'd enjoy the sunshine and shoot when its not so bright and use the shade :)
Yeah I know they don't mate. Lots of squinting eyes and harsh shadows. That said, I'll probably take some candids of my kids so they may not even be looking at me. Also I will probably shoot a bit in the shade when I can. It's basically a holiday with family where I'd like to get a few nice shots. Also I'd like to get some in the pool that will most likely be no shade at all.
 
I just had a look on Amazon. They are like a fiver. Where have these been all my life lol


Waiting quietly for you to discover them… right on time! :D:D:D
 
Would a polorising filter function properly with an adapter


Yes, absolutely.

And, if it is in you budget, see if you could
get a vario ND filter as you look for the CP!
 
Yes, absolutely.

And, if it is in you budget, see if you could
get a vario ND filter as you look for the CP!
I did look into a vario nd filter but I was put off by what some people said. Sati g they didn't work as well as intended.
 
I did look into a vario nd filter but I was put off by what some people said. Sati g they didn't work as well as intended.


I swear by mine and use it very often on location jobs
…and even in studio!
 
I swear by mine and use it very often on location jobs
…and even in studio!
I guess if I get one I'll make sure I buy a decent one and not a cheap one

I'm tempted now to buy a polorising filter and adapter instead. Might be more useful and it will probably stop the light by a stop or two.
 
Yeah I know they don't mate. Lots of squinting eyes and harsh shadows. That said, I'll probably take some candids of my kids so they may not even be looking at me. Also I will probably shoot a bit in the shade when I can. It's basically a holiday with family where I'd like to get a few nice shots. Also I'd like to get some in the pool that will most likely be no shade at all.
Try and use a hood where you can, also if it is shots of folk in the pool a polariser may be of use too as they can cut the glare down (and also slow the shutter speed too).
 
I'm tempted now to buy a polorising filter and adapter instead.


The CP will not be too good on full sky sceneries as the vario
will. When no or little sky is present in the composition both will
be fine. For water scenes, the CP has the edge.
 
I swear by mine and use it very often on location jobs
…and even in studio!

Stick it on a wide-angle at higher density and you'll be swearing at it.
 
Stick it on a wide-angle at higher density and you'll be swearing at it.


I was talking about my Vario ND! I haven't had any issues with it.
All I do with the vario I would not attempt with the CP, Richard!
 
I was talking about my Vario ND! I haven't had any issues with it.
All I do with the vario I would not attempt with the CP, Richard!

Yes, and so was I ;)

All vari-ND filters use two polarisers that are rotated one against the other so they get progressively darker. Putting two pieces of glass in front of any lens is not a good idea if it can be avoided, especially two low quality pieces of glass with no anti-reflection coating which is often the case with the cheaper ones.

But the main problem is the characteristic dark cross pattern that appears right over the image when used with wide-angle lenses (say 24mm equiv and lower) at high density settings. Here's an example that came up on a quick google search https://photo.stackexchange.com/que...s-with-a-variable-neutral-density-filter-poor
 
when used with wide-angle lenses (say 24mm equiv and lower)


I did not experienced this since I only use it on the 85PC and
on the 105 macro… in studio or location.
 
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