Use Neutral Density Filters for Waterfalls

[Loupey]

When I shot film, I always carried two 2x neutral density filters. With slow slide films, I generally aim for 2 to 4 second exposures when photographing waterfalls, waterflows, etc. These filters are stackable to get different degrees of light reduction.

This is even more important now since digital equipment won't go down to ISO 25.

Shot on Kodachrome 64
Canon A-1
FD 24mm f/2.8
Exposure unrecorded
1989

[paulnj]

I used to use a CP to cut down light in a pinch, since I don't have a ND filter or a need that warrants a purchase either

Nice shot to show what a ND filter can produce !!!

[greghalliday]

A great point Loupey. I hadn't thought of the limited ISO range of digital SLRs until I bought mine. The 20D only goes down to 100. That's sort of cheap because my small Canon A60 goes to 50 (of course, it's even noisy at 100 ) Being used to shooting Velvia at 40 ISO, I never bothered to get a full ND filter. Now I guess I will have to. But 77mm filters are so expensive

Nice shot by the way.

Greg

[walterick]

I am faced with the financial obstacle of having a wide range of lenses in both 35mm and 645 and wanting and needing circular polarizers and nd/split filters for ALL of them! The answer I found is to invest in the Cikon P system, which provides you with ONE set of filters that adapt to any and all lenses you have.

That way, you can own 1 cpl and use it on all your lenses, rather than owning 13 cpl's.

Just a thought for anyone looking to equip their gear with filters.

[Loupey]

Thanks, Greg.

Rick, does your filter system allow filter threads up to 77mm? My Cokin system for my Bronica uses 3" square gels on 62mm threads.

I'd love to get a set compatible with 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm threads.

[srobb]

Thanks for the tip, Greg. I have a polarizer, but have not yet purchased a ND filter. That looks to be in the near future since I am planning on photographing some waterfalls soon that are down in the Red River Gorge area here.

[walterick]

Thanks, Greg.

Rick, does your filter system allow filter threads up to 77mm? My Cokin system for my Bronica uses 3" square gels on 62mm threads.

I'd love to get a set compatible with 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, and 77mm threads.

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cokin-P-holder-r...iewItemiewItem

I'm not sure about the Cokin brand holders, but the "generic" ones sold on Ebay go up to 82mm! If you do an Ebay search you can usually find someone selling all the adapters you need!

[Loupey]

Thanks, Rick! I'll check it out. It would be great to use graduated filters again to tone down bright skies.