The Vari-ND really isn't THAT expensive when you consider the cost of two (quality) polarizers or two (quality) ND's. The Vari-ND comes in a thinner Wide Angle version as well.
I tried the Vari-ND but wasn't particularly thrilled though many are very happy with it. The limiting factor of 2 CP's is the maltese cross effect (which is similar to an area of darkness using a CP on a wide angle lens) and occurs around 8-stops.
I find having 2, 4, and 6-stop ND's and combining any 2 of them is the best way to go.
Have you tried any long exposures in a public place with lots of foot traffic to either create "ghost" people or to eliminate the people entirely?
Not yet. I just received the filter and used it for less than one hour as I had minimal time to take photos yesterday. I will try using it in public places to see what effect I can obtain.
You could focus and compose first, then turn off your auto focus, put on the filters and measurre the light and shoot. It slow, but it will work for your composition.
nico_p wrote:
I hear you about the vignetting and such, but the Vari ND must suffer from it too, no ?
The 77mm anything wider than 28~ish certainly, but above that it's fine. I don't have the low profile Vari-ND... maybe in the future. At maximum density it leaves some very strange lines on the frame, but if youre just shy of that all the way to minimum density it's awesome.
Wow. i love these pics. i love the simplicity of number #3 and the details in #4. the fact that you were not composing photo's and these came out tells me i have a lot to learn.... a true master Tom
Here is another one from the series. I only took 16 photos in total due to time constraints. This shot had a train moving through the entire 62 second exposure. Also, a fisherman on the dock shows some head blur but his body is pretty sharp. Seagulls also show as fairly sharp in some photos. I don't know if they were perfectly still for 62 seconds or there is some other phenomenon that explains it.
Jan 11, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Mark Metternich Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Interesting topic. And these shots have got me very interested in trying this.
Please does anyone know where I can get gelatin ND filters in the UK.
I have a Sigma 12-24 with rear filter slot and would like to give it a go.
Thanks for any help and hope you don't mind me inserting this request here.
Paul
Here is a 121 second exposure. I can't wait to get out and do some more of these. I used a 24-70mm lens for these. I want to try my 70-200 to see what I can do with that 10 stop filter.
jmcfadden wrote:
vari nd is 2 polarizers and the outher most one is Reversed soit's "back" is screwed to the "front" of the other. they cost over 350bux too
J
Ahh.. so that's the trick, I tried stacking two polarizers once, didn't do anything exciting.. so you need to find a reversing ring :P or spend lots of money..
Tom K. wrote:
Here is a 121 second exposure. I can't wait to get out and do some more of these. I used a 24-70mm lens for these. I want to try my 70-200 to see what I can do with that 10 stop filter.
I was looking at your great photos and thinking to myself, "Well, *I* just got the Singh-Ray Variable ND in the mail last week, but it is too damned cold for me to go out and try it yet. I wonder what warm locale *this* Tom guy is shooting in?" Then I embarrassed myself by going to your web site and discovering you are in Norwich, because I am down the street here in Rocky Hill, CT! So you are shooting in the same 20 degree weather that I am avoiding! What a wimp I am.
I think tomorrow I may take a ride to the Rhode Island shore and do some long-exposure ocean photography so I can try the Singh-Ray. If I do, I'll post some results here.
