How to choose an ND filter?
An ND filter (neutral density filter) can reduce the light entering the camera sensor. It is useful when a sufficiently long exposure time is not otherwise achievable within the widest apertures (or at the lowest ISO setting).
So how to choose ND Filter? Below 4 questions may help us to understand.
Why should I buy an ND filter?
We may need an nd filter in below 2 scenarios:
1. You want to shoot the clouds, waves, and people in slow motion, but you are unable to do that even with the widest aperture and the lowest ISO
2. Take the portrait in bright light with a wide aperture. Even with the lowest ISO and the highest shutter speed, your image still gets overexposed.
When shooting a video, the shutter speed is usually locked to the frame rate (24p for 1 / 24s, 60p for 1 / 60s). The exposure is controlled by the nd filter so that the depth of field (aperture) and ISO will stay the same.
Square ND filter VS Circular ND filter what's the difference?
The advantage of the circular ND filter is its convenience. You can screw on your camera lens with no light leaks and less vignetting. And it can also protect your camera lens.
Square ND filter allows you to stack up to 3 filters on one holder so you can drop in a polarizer, you can drop in an nd filter you can drop in a grad filter and shoot with all three at the same time. But it can lead to some sort of light leaks and vignetting.
Square ND filter
Which stop nd filter should I choose?
The ND1000 ND3.0 reduces shutter speed by 10 stops (1 / 1000 second down to 1 second)
The ND8 ND0.9 reduces shutter speed by 3 stops(1 / 1000 second down to 1 / 125 second)
In general, in landscape photography, you can choose ND8 or ND16, ND500 or ND1000 (1 for each group). ND8 or ND16 for long exposures in dim light (sunrise and sunset) and ND500 or ND1000 for long exposures in bright light.
If you want a large aperture in bright light for your portraiture, the ND4 is fine (1 / 16,000 sec down to 1 / 4,000 SEC). But in landscape photography, ND8 is preferred.
Below is the nd filter exposure chart for your reference:
What's the most budget ND filter?
Compared with ND filters in the market. You will find the K&F ND filter at a very attractive price.
check the link before for the comparison:
which nd filter you prefer?