A few weeks back, my variable ND filter arrived - from 2-8 stops (near pitch black!) of density. As someone constantly playing with light during sessions, I've found it awesome so far. Samples/info posted here because I know my wedding peeps are the ones who keep asking me about it.
Pros: It's awesome.
Cons: Vignetting/difficult to focus with more stops gobbled up. Not for the n00b of outdoor lighting, as it adds another sometimes confusing variable.
I've been wondering how that was working for you...thanks for posting. I guess the results speak for themselves . I do have a question though...is it graduated anywhere to tell you how many stops you have dialed in?
Jeremy
these shots are great. I actually was in some pretty tough sun today and was playing around with my circular polarizer which only cuts light by a stop or so. I will have to look at picking up a ND filter. Can you pm the info as well. Thanks
Doug
It has some numbers on the dial, but I don't use them, I'm starting to just be able to estimate it.
Purchased from E to the bay. Spence I PM'ed you re: info and such.
Gotcha...if you were using a flash meter and the filter was accurately graduated it would be super easy to just set your aperture that way. Then again it's almost as fast just to chimp your way there anyway. Since my meter is apparently dead I'd be still be chimping at this point . Very cool though...it's high on my "I want" list.
Looks like they're back ordered until next month, so they probably won't have any on ebay until then either...
*edit* Spencer beat me to it.
Guys, just an FYI, you can make your own Variable ND filter. All you need are TWO POLARIZING FILTERS. Stack them, but make sure you TURN AROUND THE GLASS in one of the holders, turn the dial and viola, variable ND
cordellwillis wrote:
I'm confused. Are you (Jerm and others) saying these images were shot without flash in the sun?
They were shot with flash...he just used his ND filter to shoot them at f2.8 instead of say f16 or f22 (whatever would have been required to keep the ambient under control at 1/180th of a second).