Photon-hunter wrote:
Thanks for the kind words. The X100 is certainly one of those (rare) cameras that grows on you despite it´s limitations. I always loved it, and it has done nothing but improve with every firmware update. Still quirky and frustrating at times, but a lovely and pretty unique camera nonetheless...
Regarding the exposure on my pics, I use a 20 stop BW neutral density filter on broad daylight to achieve 15-30 minute exposures. I find that the 10 stop filter (even when combined with the internal 3 stop ND filter) doesn´t give me enough filtration to get the desired exposures on very sunny days..
A 20-stop ND filter ... ¿ What brand/model/size of filter is that ?
I wonder as well how the X10 handles 15-30 min exposures regarding it's poor battery performance :-)
Hi, thanks for the comments. I am using B+W screw in filters. Regarding battery life, long exposures must be a very low consume feature, because I can shoot pretty much all day on a single battery...
I would guess a long exposure as well uses very little battery as well. The camera doesn't have to use power to show an image on the LCD or (EVF/OVF in case of the X100), nor do any sort of AF or metering or power the flash etc.
Should be able to shoot plenty of them on a single battery
@milisart: I guess just keeping the shutter open uses very little battery (the sensor seems to use very little juice while capturing light). Plus manual focus-exposure-everything... I too thought that battery would be an issue. More than covered for a long day of shooting with just two batteries...
@Reagan: Thanks for your words, they mean a lot. There´s a lot to like and love about this camera. it is surely worth the time you need to spend with it to learn it and get the most out of it. The IQ is also very special...
Be sure to try to get a Nikon WC68 .68x conversion lens if you can as well. It works fantastic for also giving the camera about a 24mm FOV.
What I discovered with it is that you also need extra distance between the conversion lens and the Fuji lens ring adapter or else you won't get sharp photos. I usually use a 49mm UV filter I took the glass out of, but what I also use is a B+W 110 10 stop ND filter as well.
So you not only get a sharp wide angle, but also can still do longer exposures. You can pick those WC68's for $50 or less (at least here in the states)
Be sure to try to get a Nikon WC68 .68x conversion lens if you can as well. It works fantastic for also giving the camera about a 24mm FOV.
What I discovered with it is that you also need extra distance between the conversion lens and the Fuji lens ring adapter or else you won't get sharp photos. I usually use a 49mm UV filter I took the glass out of, but what I also use is a B+W 110 10 stop ND filter as well.
So you not only get a sharp wide angle, but also can still do longer exposures. You can pick those WC68's for $50 or less (at least here in the states)
Hi milisart. I read you thread regarding the WC68. I happen to have one that I used when I had my panasonic LX2. I tried it with my Fuji and liked it quite a bit, the problem is that for long exposures, my ND filters are 77mm (I bought them to be used with my Canon 5DMKII that is now gone), so I am using them with step-up rings. I need to get a 49mm ND filter to try out some wide angle stuff. That should be fun...
Good luck finding a B&W 120/ 20 stop filter now! They stopped making them as well as the 13 stop ND filters a few years back. I have a 49mm 110 I use and may buy another to get me to 20 stops but not sure if it will cause vignetting or not.
Hi Jason! I got my (77mm) 20 stop B+W filter two years ago and paid 120 Euros for it..!! They seem to be in supply here in Spain (although pretty steep price), maybe some old stock never sold..? I´ve got my eye on some of those variable ND filters cine people seem to use... Any idea if they are any good for photography? Got my eye set on one from Light Craft Workshop...
I found the Vari-ND's to be a bit of a waste for photography (or at least long exposures). Fantastic tools for video of course.
Problem with the ones I tried is that while they do what they say, if you go past 5 or 6 stops, you start to see weird interference patterns in the image. They just don't really give the full range of cut they say they do.
Again, I'm not saying they don't have their uses, but if your trying to get a long exposure on a sunny day and want the maximum possible effect, they aren't a very good bang for your buck, especially as they aren't cheap!
I've had pretty good success with just a 10 stop ND and the X100's 3 stop option. I added a cheap Marumi 3 stop as well for those really bright days and thats up to 16 stops of reduction for under $100, and all top notch optical quality.
Always could just add a polarizer too remember, which can give you 1-2 stops as well
Black X100 arrived today - looks and feels fantastic. EC dial is stiffer than on the silver version, otherwise the same except for the looks. Initial impression of the 1.21 firmware is that it's a big upgrade.
No interesting images from today, so just one of my son (who will soon come to hate this camera, I'm sure )
millsart wrote:
I found the Vari-ND's to be a bit of a waste for photography (or at least long exposures). Fantastic tools for video of course.
Problem with the ones I tried is that while they do what they say, if you go past 5 or 6 stops, you start to see weird interference patterns in the image. They just don't really give the full range of cut they say they do.
Again, I'm not saying they don't have their uses, but if your trying to get a long exposure on a sunny day and want the maximum possible effect, they aren't a very good bang for your buck, especially as they aren't cheap!
I've had pretty good success with just a 10 stop ND and the X100's 3 stop option. I added a cheap Marumi 3 stop as well for those really bright days and thats up to 16 stops of reduction for under $100, and all top notch optical quality.
Always could just add a polarizer too remember, which can give you 1-2 stops as well ...Show more →
+1
Bought a cheaper 77mm vari nd filter and even on its darkest setting my exposures were never even. Always uneven and with light leak so haven't bothered since. May just buy another 110 filter to give me 20 stops.
Following up with the ND filter and variable Nd filter issue: My local dealer gave me the chance to try out a variable ND filter today and told me that he would take it back if I had any issues. I purchased a Phottix Variable (up to 8 stops) ND filter. I have been trying it out today and must say that it worked perfectly, no issues at all. I used it stacked on top of the B+W 10 stop filter to give me 18 stops of filtration. Here a 7 minute exposure with the mentioned setup, just to illustrate and to make sure this thread doesn´t sink...
bigkidneys wrote:
Looking at this picture I almost feel like I am on drugs! Amazing! Looks like you are having much better luck than I did with mine.
Thanks Jason. I got lucky with this filter, I´m quite pleased. You do need to be careful not to go past the "max" and "min" marks on the filter or it starts doing funny things with the image though...
sebboh and vchowdhary, thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to comment.
I can´t wait to get my Sony-Nex remote (waiting for ever) to try some long exposures with the Sony... I´m excited and curious to see how it handles them.
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