ND4?

[Matt_C]

Hi all,

I've been offered an ND4 filter for my Canon 550D - but I'm not sure what effect, if any I can reasonably expect to get from this.

I'd be looking to occasionally shoot water, possibly at dusk/night and looking for it to be smooth. Would an ND4 suffice for this?

 

[RichardTaylor]

Depends on the available light, and how smooth do you want the water.
If it is low enough you may not need one at all.

ND4 will give you two stops so if your shutter speed is 1/2 second it will go down to 2 seconds

This is what you can expect.

#1 at 1/4 second


Rocks at Forrester beach. by dicktay2000, on Flickr

#2 at 0.4 seconds


If you don't get wet, then you are not close enough - John A (2) by dicktay2000, on Flickr

#3 at 15 seconds


Blue by dicktay2000, on Flickr

What sort of water were you wanting to shoot (waterfalls/surf/ocean/rivers etc)?

 

[Matt_C]

Thanks, that's very helpful.

Mostly lakes and rivers. Possibly the quay up at Salford Quays, and other city quay scenes.