Do you use ND filters? at DVinfo.net

Mark Goodsell · December 4th, 2011, 10:37 AM

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?

Don Palomaki · December 5th, 2011, 07:45 AM

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.

Robert Young · December 6th, 2011, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Palomaki

...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

Don Palomaki · December 6th, 2011, 09:03 AM

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.

Robert Young · December 6th, 2011, 06:58 PM

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

Kawika Ohumukini · December 6th, 2011, 07:13 PM

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

Allan Black · December 6th, 2011, 07:20 PM

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.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/10458-REG/B_W_65063819_72mm_Graduated_Neutral_Density.html

Cheers.

December 4th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#1
Mark Goodsell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WI Posts: 367	Do you use ND filters? 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? __________________ Mark Goodsell

December 5th, 2011, 07:45 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Re: Do you use ND filters? 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. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

December 6th, 2011, 09:03 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Re: Do you use ND filters? 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. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

December 6th, 2011, 06:58 PM	#5
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	Re: Do you use ND filters? Terrific!! I think that the XA 10 is absolutely one of the best designed small cams I've ever come across :) __________________ Bob

December 6th, 2011, 07:13 PM	#6
Kawika Ohumukini Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 185	Re: Do you use ND filters? 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

December 6th, 2011, 07:20 PM	#7
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,930	Re: Do you use ND filters? 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. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/10458-REG/B_W_65063819_72mm_Graduated_Neutral_Density.html Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.