When should you use a neutral density filter?

Neutral density filters are also commonly used to blur movement, especially images in constant motion such as waterways, rain, waterfalls, or people on a busy street, otherwise, your camera would be unable to adjust to an aperture wide enough to get the same effect without overexposing the photo.

Are Variable ND filters also polarizers?

No, variable ND filters do not produce a polarizing effect. While variable ND filters are constructed using polarizers, they do not actually work as polarizers. If you need a polarization effect, you must use a true polarizing filter. But if you want to simply reduce light levels, then an ND filter is the way to go.

How do you use variable ND filters for landscape photography?

A Variable ND filter is so useful because it is variable. After placing the filter on the lens, simply rotate it to dial in the correct exposure. You can also use it as a substitute for something pros call “riding iris,” which means adjusting the exposure while you shoot as your scene changes in brightness.

How well do Variable ND filters work?

A variable ND lens filter is very flexible as it lets you alter light exposure between around 1 f-stop (ND2) and 10 f-stops (ND1000) simply by rotating the outer element of the filter. And it does this without affecting the colour or quality of your images.

What is the difference between a fixed and variable ND filter?

We have looked at the difference between the two here. The two main advantages of using fixed ND filters are cost and quality. The price of a single ND filter is significantly cheaper than a variable and will also be significantly better quality than cheaper variable NDS.

What does a neutral density filter do?

With neutral density filters becoming ever more popular its time to look at not only what an ND does but also which is most suitable to you. What Is An ND Filter? Many of you will know this but to newcomers to photography, an ND is a piece of dark glass or acrylic that we put in front of our lenses to reduce the exposure.

How many stops does an ND filter reduce exposure?

Beyond that, the ultra ND filters reduced exposure by 6 stops and 10 stops. More recently we have seen the arrival of the variable ND filter. These are effectively two polarising filters sandwiched together and work like using a single polarizer.

What are the different types of ND filters?

These filters can come in 2 forms: Ones that screw directly to the front of your lens, Ones that are part of a square filter system. We have looked at the difference between the two here. The two main advantages of using fixed ND filters are cost and quality.