Day Time Long Exposures - Which ND filter recommended?

[d_koga]

<p>Hello<br>

I'm looking to try some daytime long exposure photography (blurred clouds, water etc.) Ive done a little research on the subject and know that I should probally pick up at least a 8-stop ND filter. Im just not really sure what brand to go with (Hoya, Cokin, B&W, Tiffin). I know they all seem to vary in price and I would also assumer quality.<br>

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with this type of photography and what filters they would recommend?<br>

Thanks</p>

[leicaglow]

<p>Not all of the manufacturers make an ND16. I' pick Hoya and B&W if I had my choice.</p>

[howard_m]

<p>you'll find a significant color cast to most high # NDs. Check 2filter.com for BW 110 or Hoya. These filters will be essentially black.</p>

[User_276104]

<p>Although expensive, a one-time purchase that should cover you in most any situation would be the Singh-Ray Vari ND filter.</p>

<p>http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html</p>

[thomas_lozinski]

<p>You could just get two polarizers and then rotate them out of sync to get the attenuation you desire. That's all the singh ray filters are. If you get 2 circular polarizers you will have to turn the glass in the front one backwards. I have never had problems auto focusing with linear polarizers as some people claim.</p>

[frank uhlig]

<p>Ok, you need to know / let us know what the typical light values are in your settings, the ISO you want to use and the duration of the exposure at what f stop you desire. That will tell you how dense the ND needs to be. Then look for one with those specifications and go take your pics.<br>

Task specific gear is requird here. (Or buy all the various ND grads and you would also be set, yet a bit poorer ...)</p>

[15sunrises]

<p>Just don't get the Cokin, trust.</p>

<p>http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=20613354</p>

<p>I'm not usually a 'you need the best gear' kind of person, but when it comes to filters, buy the best you can afford. I've screwed up many a photo thanks to my Cokin ND grad filters which had a horrible magenta cast that was impossible to eliminate in post.</p>

[nilo_4net]

<p>I am on the same boat. I will buy soon a filter like that. If I decide to spend money I will go with the singh ray. Otherwise I will go with the trustable B+W. I do not think they make an 8x though. It is either a 6x or a 10x. I am leaning towards the 6x hoping to add my polarizer on top if i neeed the extra couple of stops.</p>

<p>Nikos</p>

[Mike Gammill]

<p>If you shoot black & white film you could use the Tiffen R72 (infrared filter) with non-infrared black and white for long daytime exposures. Here's a five minute exposure using this filter with Panatomic-X.</p><div></div>

[oskar_ojala]

<p>You need a minimum of three stops (8x) ND, better to have more. If you're going to do this a few times only to try it out, then buy the cheapest you cang et. If you're going to do this more and actually want quality results, buy the Singh-ray, B+W or Heliopan.</p>

[2Oceans]

<p>D, I use a 77mm 3 stop Hoya multi coated Pro1 and carry a few inexpensive step up rings to match with smaller diameter lenses. It meets my needs for water falls and such. Good luck. Andy</p>

[d_koga]

<p>Thanks to everybody for all the advice and expertise, it has been incredibly helpful!</p>