52mm ND Filter?

lolage

lolage

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Ben
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Definitiely not ! This is a graduated filter with just about a 1.5 stop reduction and is primarily for balancing the sky in landscape shots. you will be spending £70 on a piece of glass that will have only minimal effect in your shots and certainly not what you want to do. What you are looking for is "Full coverage" ND filters they come in grades like ND2 ND4 ND8 etc the higher the number the more light they block allowing you to use a longer shutter speed. Tiffens are numbered like this 0.3 0.6 0.9. In your case you want the 0.9 (equivalent to -3 stops) Get this one first and see if its enough for what you want to do (you can stack them to increase the effect but I wouldnt stack more than 2 at a time)
A more flexible alternative is to get a cokin style square filter system and buy your grads for that which will cover various filter diameters. However if you are sure you are only using 52mm then get this one and buy yourself something nice with the £50 you just saved. :naughty:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiffen-52mm-Neutral-Density-Filter/dp/B00004ZCB5/ref=sr_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1292441422&sr=1-24
 
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Gazamonk said:
Definitiely not ! This is a graduated filter with just about a 1.5 stop reduction and is primarily for balancing the sky in landscape shots. you will be spending £70 on a piece of glass that will have only minimal effect in your shots and certainly not what you want to do. What you are looking for is "Full coverage" ND filters they come in grades like ND2 ND4 ND8 etc the higher the number the more light they block allowing you to use a longer shutter speed. Tiffens are numbered like this 0.3 0.6 0.9. In your case you want the 0.9 (equivalent to -3 stops) Get this one first and see if its enough for what you want to do (you can stack them to increase the effect but I wouldnt stack more than 2 at a time)
A more flexible alternative is to get a cokin style square filter system and buy your grads for that which will cover various filter diameters. However if you are sure you are only using 52mm then get this one and buy yourself something nice with the £50 you just saved. :naughty:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiffen-52mm-Neutral-Density-Filter/dp/B00004ZCB5/ref=sr_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1292441422&sr=1-24
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Awesome thanks, will be buying that! ^_^
 
Get this one first and see if its enough for what you want to do (you can stack them to increase the effect but I wouldnt stack more than 2 at a time)
Click to expand...

I know what you're saying Matt which is why I suggested the cokin style system (easier stacking) and I saw no point in the OP buying two of the Tiffens if he finds he just needs one.
 
Are you likely to get any other lenses? If you may get one with a bigger filter size, it might be better getting a larger filter now along with some stepping rings which will allow the larger filter to fit onto a smaller lens.

Having said that, I don't know if step down rings have a detrimental effect on image quality. I can't see how they would, but I'm always amazed at what I learn in the field of photography ;)
 
Quoth said:
Are you likely to get any other lenses? If you may get one with a bigger filter size, it might be better getting a larger filter now along with some stepping rings which will allow the larger filter to fit onto a smaller lens.

Having said that, I don't know if step down rings have a detrimental effect on image quality. I can't see how they would, but I'm always amazed at what I learn in the field of photography ;)
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Well, I'm relitevely new - and to start I'll be getting the standard 18-55. Then a 35mm f/1.8 and then a 55-200. All of which are 52mm. By the time I get new lens instead of those, which will probably be a long time I'll probably be looking at getting square filters anyway.

This is more to just learn the basics of it first. :) Is the latest link i provided suitable?
 
lolage said:
Well, I'm relitevely new - and to start I'll be getting the standard 18-55. Then a 35mm f/1.8 and then a 55-200. ... Is the latest link i provided suitable?
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Three good lenses, all of which I once had (and still have the 35mm).

The filter you link to is perfect for the job. Have fun!
 
Awesome :) If i were to buy a 52mm UV filter aswell to permenently keep on my lens's will the ND filter be able to fit ontop of the uv filter or will I need to take it off?
 
lolage said:
Awesome :) If i were to buy a 52mm UV filter aswell to permenently keep on my lens's will the ND filter be able to fit ontop of the uv filter or will I need to take it off?
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That depends on the UV filter - some have a thread for a second filter, others not.

My view of UV filters is that they are not necessary but that can become a very heated debate so you can try whatever works for you.
 
If you want a cheap go at long exposures get a piece of welding glass from ebay for £1.30 and then blu-tak it on to a spare filter. If you find you use it enough then you can justify to yourself to pay for a 'proper' one
 
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