Just curious who uses ND filters, and if you've really NEEDED to use them? When I am out in the bright sunlight I pop on a CP filter and that seems to do a pretty good job and haven't used ND filters. What are you guys using?

On the XH-A1 yes. On the XA10 it is automatic after the the aperture drops to f/4.

They are important in bright light and to avoid diffraction effects caused by small apertures. Sometime they can help reduce depth of field.

...On the XA10 it is automatic after the the aperture drops to f/4.
I've never been quite clear on that.
Do the auto ND filters kick in without needing to turn on a menu item, or use any special setting?
For example: shooting @ 60i, 1/60 shutter priority, auto exposure- the ND filters will simply activate automatically as the exposure gets brighter?
Thanks

That is my impression. In aperture priority as you adjust the aperture you will see it move to f/4 and then a series of ND settings before the aperture setting resumes from f/4 to f/5.6.

Terrific!!
I think that the XA 10 is absolutely one of the best designed small cams I've ever come across :)

One argument to an external ND filter on the XA10, which I have, is to get a shallower depth of field and still have the benefits of a stop or two less light can give. I use it to darken the background which just requires a little more light on the foreground subject.

In photography there's several effects possible with an ND Filter. Some good tutorials on youtube. Cheers

When shooting around aircraft outdoors on the ramp, I use B+W graduated ND filters.

The 502 is better than the 501 .. it drops the bright blue sky 2 stops so I get more detail under the aircraft.

B+W 72mm Graduated Neutral Density Gray 502 Filter 65-063819 B&H


Cheers.