Finally! 9 Stop Variable ND filters in stock!

[cagenuts]

No not reversed. I just happen to have a 72m CPL so was wondering if I stepped up from that to the Fader (which has 82mm outer thread) and then stepped down again from 77m (Fader inner thread) to my 72mm lens.

Just curious.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Sorry, but maybe i am daft... The outer thread is 82mm... You should always go wider to limit vignetting? No?

So lens to cpl to step-up to fader?

[cagenuts]

Yeah that's what I figured, just checking.

Thanks.

[EdDuck]

the other option is to compose via liveview... your liveview can be set to give you max amount of light, as opposed to simulating exposure... don't know if that will work either Edward?

Hehe I was wondering when this question would come up Well amazingly if you are in a 12-15 EV scene (sunny to late afternoon/early evening) then it is quite easy to compose through the viewfinder. I just give my eye a few seconds to adjust to the darkened scene. Even more amazing is that my 50D can autofocus quite accurately using the center point when my lens is at 17mm (f2.8). So I usually go this route when I am worried about live view draining my batteries to quickly.

If you do use live view it is best to switch off the exposure simulation function (as Forgiss mentioned, not sure about Nikon with this) so that the camera automatically increases the sensor gain (and hence apparent image brightness on the LCD) with the filter on to allow accurate focusing. Oh and then I use the 10X live view magnification and manual focus to nail the focus point.

Either that or just set my lens to its hyperfocal distance and f16 and everything will be in focus anyway at 17mm...

[EdDuck]

hehehe... ok... I just went scouring the ODP contact mailboxes for your queries... thought our mailserver hit a bug

I am in two minds about these... I want one for the video side, but that is a lot of glass you are putting on the front of your lens. If I buy one, it would need to make more commercial sense. So it would definitely not be good if I lose too much sharpness.

Will test over the weekend or next week.

I have never seen a loss of sharpness, the optical quality is excellent. There is a "slight" warm colour cast but not nothing can't be fixed with a tiny WB shift.

Do you think I could do this?

From the outside in;
72mm CPL + 82-72 step ring + 77 Fader ND (with outer 82 thread)

Or will I ideally require a 82mm CPL?

I would really try this out on your set up before committing, the vignetting is not the usual smooth gradient as seen on super wides but rather a very hard edge that is impossible to correct for without cropping.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Thanx mr Duckitt!

[cagenuts]

Yeah, thanks Ed.

[visagieh]

Got mine over the weekend.

Just the ND500 on Nikon 24-70.

I took the 77mm filter. I also tried the 82mm with step up ring. From my test shots at the shop it looked that the combo with step up ring vignetted more than just the staight 77mm at 24mm.

The 9-12ND looks nice, but for now left it as of funny paterns at full ND, and costs.

Must say, one can still comp bright daylight ND500. 9Stop.

Hannes

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Thanx for the feedback Hannes!

[Manie Combrinck]

I have just received my ND 500 and tested it on a 7D in AV mode. The photographs were very much under exposed. As the metering is done TTL, this should not happen as the camera compensates for the loss of light when the filter is fitted. I took some shots in manual mode and calculated the exposure by checking the histogram. I eventually got the exposure right using this procedure. What am I doing wrong? Can anybody help?

[EdDuck]

I have just received my ND 500 and tested it on a 7D in AV mode. The photographs were very much under exposed. As the metering is done TTL, this should not happen as the camera compensates for the loss of light when the filter is fitted. I took some shots in manual mode and calculated the exposure by checking the histogram. I eventually got the exposure right using this procedure. What am I doing wrong? Can anybody help?

Hey Manie,

No your camera is in perfectly good order, the ND500 is just SO dark that it confuses the TTL meter completely It only allows ~0.2% of the ambient light to pass through, something I don't think the camera was designed for!

I only ever use manual exposure when using my ND500. The trick is to meter with your camera set on Av at eg f16 without the filter on. Record the calculated shutterspeed required for a proper exposure. Then either count "up" 9 stops of shutterspeed or use one of these handy exposure guides to work out what your required shutterspeed should be:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/...a61e6ddd_o.jpg

http://kroekerontherock.wordpress.co...eme-nd-filter/

http://www.alexwisephotography.net/b...ong-exposures/

I have also almost finished a very nice excel calculator that you can punch in your own values and it displays the answer. I plan to use this with quickoffice on my symbian phone.

BUT best of all if you have an iPhone then you can use this free exposure calculator:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/longt...362297743?mt=8

[cagenuts]

Ed, upgrade to an Android dude, there are awesome photography apps.

[EdDuck]

Ed, upgrade to an Android dude, there are awesome photography apps.

I know I know I know waiting for my Vodacom contract to expire so I can move to CellC...

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Don't do it Ed! (unles you are currently on a blackberry )

[Stan Blumberg]

Janie....try shooting in live mode

[KoiErik]

Has anybody used these;

"Marumi 77mm ND2-ND400 Vari ND Filter"

I tried to order the lightcraft but no stock and 3 week wait, so just checking out what else is there.

If you have used your comments please