ND filters and waterfalls ??

Hi all,

Typically, what ND filter is good to have to shoot long exposure waterfalls? I've been using my polarizer, and I don't think it slows the shutter enough (and it changes the color too). I hope to just buy one filter.... Thus, assume partly cloudy conditions.

Many thanks to those who reply,
Tim

I keep a Cokin P154 in my bag that seems to work nicely for the type of shot you are talking about. If I remember correctly, it's an 8 stop ND filter. Not the top of the line filter, but it gets the job done. I also will throw on a polarizer if it's really bright out. It does change the colors a bit, but it helps to take the glare off the water if it's pretty bright out too.

Ever seen this one by Singh-Ray? I've tried it out and it's pretty cool, but expensive.

It's a hard question to answer, actually. It depends on the light, film speed, how fast the water is moving, and your own taste for how much it should blur. One thing, a polarizer shouldn't change colors. It will make the white areas of the water look different, but if you're having color shift problems you might want to look at getting a better polarizer.

In some cases, you can get two stops or a little more out of a polarizer but that depends on direct sun (which you probably don't want) and you'll have to point the camera a certain way to get the most benefit.

I'm not usually a fan of stacking filters, but a two-stop ND and a polarizer are what I have. I'll use the ND, and then if I need a little more then I'll use the polarizer too. That usually works well (along with about f11), but I usually try to do stuff like that on overcast day at ISO speeds of 50 or 100.

Tim,
I've used a cokin system filter holder w/ polorizer mounted to a polorizing filter screwd to the lens,
This allows for variable ND effect from I think 3-8 stops. You change the filter density by rotating the filters. Maybe not what you had in mind, but pretty cool and usefull.
Mark.

That Singh-Ray looks pretty cool.
Plus, the Singh-Ray's are known to be truly neutral. There have been reports of many other brands giving a colour cast