What Stop Nd Filter For Video

When I'd perform a camera package checkout as a camera assistant, if there was any chance that we'd be shooting outside during the day, guess which filters I would add to the lodge? Neutral Density filters (aka NDs)! Even if they were not part of the original guild, whatsoever product office coordinator (P.O.C.) worth their salt would corroborate this addition by the A.C. Read on to detect why, adjacent to a polarizer, these are the filters most essential to your video shoot.

ND Basics

Neutral: meaning there's no effect on the colour of your prototype + Density: the intensity of the reduction in exposure = Neutral Density. For an excellent explanation of ND filters, including a handy chart listing ND densities, read this Guide to Neutral Density Filters (for yet photography), past Todd Vorenkamp. Cinematographers refer to NDs past their Optical Density Number, even so photographers more than often apply the Filter Factor Number. For video or cine-style use, ND 0.3, ND 0.6, ND 0.9, ND 1.2 (in common parlance, "ND3, ND6, ND9, ND 12") are the most popular, offering corresponding one, 2, 3, and 4-stop reductions in your exposure.

Neutral Density filters come in three basic varieties: Solid ND filters, Variable NDs, and Graduated NDs. "Solid" NDs accept a consistent density level from edge to edge. Variable NDs are constructed of 2 pieces of drinking glass sandwiched together with a scaled band that you rotate to produce different levels of intensity. Graduated NDs come up in horizontal and vertical orientations only, for video use, you'll probably just be using Horizontally Graduated NDs. Hard Edge NDs have a divers transition line, Soft Border NDs offer a gradual, central transition from clear to dark, and attenuator or "blender" NDs spread the transition from articulate to night across the entire filter.

Tiffen ND 0.6, shallow DOF — Tiffen ND 0.six, shallow DOF

Wide and bright shot, shallow DOF — Broad and bright shot, shallow DOF

one. Shallow Depth of Field

As the images to a higher place demonstrate, NDs are helpful when you want to create shallow depth of field or blurred backgrounds even when shooting in bright light and/or with a wide lens. Showtime your ND kit with a single filter like this Tiffen 4 x 5.65" ND 0.vi or choose a kit similar Tiffen'due south 82mm Digital ND Filter Kit (two, iii, 4-Cease).

2. Exposure Compensation for Skies/Backgrounds

Especially handy for shots with large expanses of sky or with an overexposed window in the upper part of your frame, graduated ND filters enable you to betrayal your foreground subjects properly without the background sky "bravado out." Soft-edge ND grads make information technology easier to hide the transition line inside your composition. Difficult-border ND grads are more suitable for stationary frames or shots where you can hibernate the transition forth the horizon, a roof line, window frame, etc. Attenuator NDs like the Schneider 4 x five.65" 0.6 Attenuator Filter forgo any discernible line, instead progressing from clear to maximum density across the entire bridge of the filter. For advanced use, a geared filter tray like this ARRI F2 iv x five.65" Horizontal Filter Frame (Geared) and a compatible matte box volition enable yous to adapt the filter gradient position in your shot precisely.

iii. Consequent Exposure

Equally I write, spring winds are sweeping puffy white clouds across the blueish Manhattan heaven. Quite pretty to wait at, merely requiring different discontinuity settings over multiple takes of a scene or during an extended shot. Hither are two scenarios where an ND comes in handy to maintain a consistent iris setting and the resulting depth of field.

Lindsey Optics 138mm Variable ND — Lindsey Eyes 138mm Variable ND

Fleeting Clouds or Shadows: if your exposure is irresolute during the take, endeavor using a variable ND—this Tiffen 82mm Variable ND features a scaled, rotating band and it will fit a variety of cine-fashion primes with an 82mm filter thread. The Lindsey Optics 138mm Variable ND features 2 to 8 stops of reduction and geared thumbwheels for smooth transmission adjustments or optional motor command. This filter'southward 138mm round centre covers all just the largest lenses' forepart elements and its four x 5.65" frame will fit many popular matte boxes—but be aware that its thicker form occupies 2 filter slots.

Lingering Cloud Comprehend: When the lord's day pops out after a few takes or (heaven forbid), the dawn is creeping upwards during your night exterior, keep a fix of solid NDs on hand to lucifer your exposure and depth of field to previous takes captured nether a darker sky. Rectangular and square filters can be stacked in multiple stages and are easier to swap in and out of a matte box than screwing on a round filter, but of form, you can utilise a round, variable ND here, also.

Blurred-effect Tiffen — Blurred-upshot Tiffen

four. Blurred Motion Furnishings

ND filters can be used for blurring continuous motion like flowing water, passing headlights, or movement in sports or alive performances. The longer your shutter speed and the lower your frame rate are, the more evident the blur, then in brighter light, yous can employ a lighter ND and a slower shutter speed to capture that blur while stopping down your aperture for a decent amount of depth of field. For mistiness with shallower depth of field, select an even slower shutter speed and open your discontinuity later on adding a heavier ND. Denser ND filter options include the 6-stop LEE Filters 4 10 4" ProGlass IRND 1.8, the viii-stop NiSi 4 x iv" Nano IRND 2.4, and the Schneider four ten 5.65" RHOdium Full Spectrum ND 3.0 filter with a robust x stops of exposure reduction.

5. Smooth Drone Video

Use an ND filter to lose the choppy look that drone footage can have when shooting with generous amounts of light and brusque shutter speeds. By reducing the light that's reaching the sensor, an ND filter enables you to select longer, cine-style shutter speeds for smoother motion. The assortment of drone filter kits available at B&H include the DJI 4-Pack ND Filter Set for its DJI Mavic 2 Pro quadcopter and the Freewell Twenty-four hours Filter Bundle for Mavic Mini with iii NDs and ane polarizer. A variable ND like this Aurora-Aperture 36mm PowerXND 2000 for Inspire Quadcopters offers a range of end reduction in a single filter. For more on how filters can improve your drone videography, exist sure to read Benefits of Filters for Drone Photography, by Shawn C. Steiner.

When choosing your ND filters, bear in heed that higher-end models tend to offering amend color rendition, consequent density, and durability than less expensive filters. To reduce potential infrared contagion of your digital imaging sensor, try an "IRND" filter—available singly or in bundles similar these 4 x five.65" Formatt Hitech Firecrest ND 0.3 to 0.9 and ND ane.2 to 1.8 iii-filter kits.

How many NDs have y'all ever stacked in front of your lens, and for what kind of shot? Let us know below and explore the broad diversity of ND filters available on the B&H Photo Website. Whenever you're in New York, be sure to visit usa at the B&H Photo SuperStore.