Strong ND filter options?

gibbon

gibbon

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Andy Gilbert
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Hi, just wondering what sort of options i have for the strong ND filters, like 10stop and higher?

I keep thinking of getting a cokin p series system but cant find a high ND to fit. I know lee filter system do them but there very expensive.

The filters i buy at the moment are few hoya and mostly kood, so not china unbranded cheap, but not expensive, is there a "similer" for a strong ND?


Thanks
Andy
 
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i bought a 10 stop off formatt for around £35.00 (cheap for that type of filter)other than that use a piece of welding glass and spend alot of time on photoshop correcting the colour cast.
 
B+W filters also have a 13-stop and a 20-stop neutral density filter in their catalogue, as well as the regular 10-stop version. However, the first two are only available on special order if I'm not mistaken so I can't imagine how much they would cost.

B+W filters are not cheap by any means but they are outstanding quality. Depending where you shop, they can start from around £35 for 49mm size up to 58mm (Robert White's).
 
I bought a Hellopan 10 stop German does what it says on the tin 67mm screw in £65
 
gibbon said:
Hi, just wondering what sort of options i have for the strong ND filters, like 10stop and higher?

I keep thinking of getting a cokin p series system but cant find a high ND to fit. I know lee filter system do them but there very expensive.

The filters i buy at the moment are few hoya and mostly kood, so not china unbranded cheap, but not expensive, is there a "similer" for a strong ND?


Thanks
Andy
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You could use several filters stacked together! ... Why would you need more than 10 stops .. :thinking:
 
B&W ND110 is about £100ish for 77mm. It's obviously a screw on filter, but with very little if any colour cast at all. Call up a few big shops in London and they might have them in stock, most places that list them online don't actually have them and you have to wait weeks.
 
Hi thanks guys, and sorry (and this may completely change the questions) but i got myself consused and actually meant upto 10stop. For like cokin P series i could only find like nd4 & 8's, and the odd 3rd party company nd16.

Ill keep looking. :)

Thanks
Andy
 
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Be careful if your solution includes stacking filters like the cheap Cokin stuff. They can add a terrible colour cast.
 
If your using a 10stop 58mm filter instead of a screw in be very careful of light leakage which occurs due to the gap between the filter and the lens, you will need to use something to close it all up.
 
good good - a 10 stop will increase the shutter length by approx 1000 (1024 to be exact... 2^10)

a 20 stop would make a 1/100 shutter speed a shade under 3 hours!!!!!!!! (or a 30 second one, a year!)
 
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EOS7Pete said:
Trouble with stacking filters is the risk of light leakage. You will need to have something that fits tight to the lens, or filter holder.
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And on some filters (usually the cheaper ones) any colour casts will be alot more noticable the more filters you use.
 
Donki said:
And on some filters (usually the cheaper ones) any colour casts will be alot more noticable the more filters you use.
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too damn true. Cokin P Series ND filters have an awful colour cast if you push the bounderies too far..

I have just bought myself a 77mm B+W 10 stop filter, (for a bargain price) and I just Cant wait to try it out.
 
Ok, so im abit more confused with it all. What im trying to give a go at is some surreal low level sunset / seascape stuff, so i know i need nd filters and maybe others for some colors so i thought the cokin P set would be good as I can slot different filters in and out?

What other options are they?
Thanks
Andy
 
I think the best dark ND filter is the LightCraftWorkshop X500MC. It's 9 stops, multicoated and pretty neutral (unlike the B+W, which is a bit orange) and one of the cheapest. Unfortunately, 77mm screw only at the moment http://www.premier-ink.co.uk/photog...raft-workshop-77mm-nd500mc-filter-p-2927.html

Hoya also make a good one, but it's expensive and hard to get. The Heliopan looks promising but I've not tried it. Which really leaves just the B+W in smaller screw sizes - just do a custom white balance and it's fine.

In square jobbies, the Lee Big Stopper is good and has a thin foam gasket on the back to seal against light leaks (essential).
 
gibbon said:
Ok, so im abit more confused with it all. What im trying to give a go at is some surreal low level sunset / seascape stuff, so i know i need nd filters and maybe others for some colors so i thought the cokin P set would be good as I can slot different filters in and out?

What other options are they?
Thanks
Andy
Click to expand...

If the light is getting low anyway, you should find the Cokin standard P series should be enough. I have the Cokin P and they have always done me ok. ONE THING TO NOTE !! Cokin do give a magenta ish colour cast the longer exposure you give it and also if you stack more than one ND filter together. But they are ok for what I think you are after. If you wish to push the bounderies of using an ND Filter in brighter conditions, you will need a higher grade density. 10 Stop filters are something to consider if you wish to go down this route. Lee do a slot in version, which is apparently the Dogs Do Dos for around £85ish (HUGE WAITING LIST FOR THESE - up to 8 weeks at Warehouse express). B+W and Heliopan do screw in versions, and I also believe HOYA do a screw in version.

Word or warning. The longer the exposure, the greater chance of light leakage. You will need to make sure that what ever system you use that the filter is a tight fit against the holder / lens. You may even have to cover your viewfinder to stop light entering the rear of your camera.

Hope this helps you pick the right system for your needs
 
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