How to calculate Shutter Speed with a ND Filter

[Sbunit]

To all my photography experts out there..

I just purchased a Hoya ND-400 NMC filter and I'm very excited to bring it along to my next Disney trip in 12 days! I'll be using a 17-55mm f/2.8 lens on my Nikon D7000.

Can someone please help me (teach me) how to figure out what appropriate shutter speed to use when the Filter is on, both for daytime photography as well as night time firework photography. Thanks so much in advance as I'm really looking forward to playing with this new toy!

 

[JoeDif]

This probably isn't what you want to hear but it depends on many variables. What ISO is your camera set to, what aperture will you be using, how much ambient light is there?

A ND filter can be used to enable you to get slower shutter speeds for motion effects when it is so bright out that even an aperture of f/22 won't let you get a slow enough shutter speed.

 

[boBQuincy]

For daylight, if you leave the camera in Program or Aperture Priority the built-in metering system will automatically set the shutter speed. The meter reads through the lens (and through the filter) so it automatically takes into account any filter we have on the lens.

I have not used a ND filter for fireworks yet but it is in the plans.

 

[Sbunit]

For daylight, if you leave the camera in Program or Aperture Priority the built-in metering system will automatically set the shutter speed. The meter reads through the lens (and through the filter) so it automatically takes into account any filter we have on the lens.

I have not used a ND filter for fireworks yet but it is in the plans.

Ok, that sounds easy enough. I wasn't sure if the camera would be able to "see" through the darkness of the filter (I've read it can be so dark to the point I should either use live view or compose my photo before I place the filter on).

For the other poster, I plan on using an aperture of f/11 during the day (ideal for landscape photography?). Not so sure about ISO, i figure around 100-200.
Any other advice or info would be greatly apreciated (especially with the fireworks. When/how do you guys time your exposures?)

 

[wbeem]

If you have an iPhone, get an app called NDCalc. It covers many different types of ND filters, so it's useful if you start juggling more than one type.

I don't have Android, but wouldn't be surprised if there was a similar app for that market.

 

[boBQuincy]

Ok, that sounds easy enough. I wasn't sure if the camera would be able to "see" through the darkness of the filter (I've read it can be so dark to the point I should either use live view or compose my photo before I place the filter on).

For the other poster, I plan on using an aperture of f/11 during the day (ideal for landscape photography?). Not so sure about ISO, i figure around 100-200.
Any other advice or info would be greatly apreciated (especially with the fireworks. When/how do you guys time your exposures?)

The "Sunny 16" rule still works: f/16 with shutter speed of 1/ISO on a sunny day. So, with a 9 stop ND and ISO 100 the equivalent exposure at f/11 would be about 2 seconds. Some cameras can have problems focusing with the ND filter, you may have to focus without the filter (then set to manual focus so it doesn't try to re-focus) and then add the filter.

 

[Sbunit]

If you have an iPhone, get an app called NDCalc. It covers many different types of ND filters, so it's useful if you start juggling more than one type.

I don't have Android, but wouldn't be surprised if there was a similar app for that market.

I actually have a droid but I found that app for it and it is PERFECT! Great piece of advice and highly recommended.

So, anyone want to share advice on fireworks? When/how do you guys time your shots? Any tricks on how to apply the filter? Thanks so much everyone, this has been so helpful for me

 

[Gdad]

If you have an iPhone, get an app called NDCalc. It covers many different types of ND filters, so it's useful if you start juggling more than one type.

I don't have Android, but wouldn't be surprised if there was a similar app for that market.

Outstanding- thanks for the tip

 

[photo_chick]

If you really want to shift the exposure value in your head set your camera to whole stop increments. It makes life easier.

 

[Sbunit]

I recently got my Hoya filter (I believe 9 stops) and have been practicing at home (taking pictures of my lite Xmas tree with the rest of the room lightly dimed).

I read that a number of you hav used an ND filter to photograph the fireworks at night. I also understand that the exposure time is anywhere from 30 seconds to approx. 2 min. I have the ND shutter speed app on my phone and according to this app, based on my shutter speed of my lens without the filter on, it's telling to have a 21 min exposure! What am I doing wrong? Or are you guys just "guessing/approximating" your exposure time when you use it on fireworks.

Thanks in advance, I'm leaving saturday morning...any help/advice is GREATLY appreciated as always

 

[photo_chick]

21 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable if you're using a 9 stop filter. To Double the light you need to double the time. If you need a faster shutter speed open your aperture up or bump up the ISO.

 

[Sbunit]

21 minutes doesn't sound unreasonable if you're using a 9 stop filter. To Double the light you need to double the time. If you need a faster shutter speed open your aperture up or bump up the ISO.

Thanks for the advice!

I was wondering...regarding the ISO, I am under the understanding that when photographing fireworks you want your ISO as low as possible (100-200 range) to compensate for the brightness in the sky from the fireworks themselves. I'm assuming you can't fully stick to that rule with the ND filter (for the obvious reasons). In that case, in what range should I place my ISO settings on? (Nikon D7000 body with 17-55mm f/2.8 lens).

Thank you so much again

 

[photo_chick]

The main reason people stick to a lower ISO is because it means less noise.

When you make an exposure you are balancing ISO, shutter speed and aperture to get the right exposure value for whatever lighting condition you're in. What you'd set a specific variable at depends on the light you're shooting in and what you've set the other variables to.