Variable ND Filters
Paul Malley • 27 June 2022
Filter : In the bag
Sitting alongside the Polarising Filter in my bag is a Grey, Variable, Neutral Density (ND) Filter. The function of the ND Filter is to restrict the amount of light passing through the Lens, with the intention of extending the time the Shutter needs to be open (from short, through to long exposure times).
There are many different ND Filters available and those often favoured for Landscape Photographers include 'hard' or 'soft' graduated, to balance the sky and ground; these come in different sizes and ranges to cover exposure differences and are given in 'Exposure Stops, or EV'. They also range in price as each manufacturer chases the technology to get the perfect colour neutral balance needed. The more expensive sets allow a combination of square or rectangular ND factored Filters to be 'stacked', allowing addition of factor application.
A further popular ND is the 'non-graduated' which, as its name implies is a singular factor across the filter area, so the light passage through is consistent to all areas of the film or sensor. Perhaps you have seen some Seaside shots with milky seas, with exposures often running into minutes, with the use of a 8-10 or even a 15 factor filter (usually called a 'Big Stopper'?)
In recent times, manufacturers have attempted to accommodate a 'Jack of all trades' ND, so that, rather than having to buy a set of 5-6 filters of different factors, a single rotational Filter could attempt to do a similar task). Now, we don't go into the discussion that "5 single Prime Lenses are better than 1 Zoom lens debate... - but I must say, the unit I have works rather well. My Variable ND Filter is from Hama, 77mm dia (which fits all my lenses) and simply screws into the front element of the Lens; this makes the first part of the coating 'fixed', allowing rotation of the forward part to either lighten or darken the image. It starts at 1stop and goes through to 8stop, although the 8stop end makes the image very, very dark. As expected, the exposure needs to be worked out before the Shutter is depressed. As you're likely to (let's say) be taking a river in flow, or waterfall, you will be already on a Tripod and a low ISO with an Aperture value to manage your Depth of Field. I take a base reading prior to fitting the Filter, in manual, and focus manually. Then applying the ND Factor in Stops, use either the timer or Bulb mode to take the image, with a remote controller.
I will say it's worth taking a few images in raw, as it takes some getting used to, but confidence is gained by the histogram curve. I did try to be clever and see what it would do by applying a Polarising Filter to the front of the ND Filter - it's a disaster, as its basically 3 Polarising layers and they attempt to counteract each other, from a small central exposure area to a 90% blackout. Ah well, learning has taken place. If you get an opportunity to try this Filter, the range of options is considerable, although it helps to pre-visualise both the static and dynamic end result you're after.
There are many different ND Filters available and those often favoured for Landscape Photographers include 'hard' or 'soft' graduated, to balance the sky and ground; these come in different sizes and ranges to cover exposure differences and are given in 'Exposure Stops, or EV'. They also range in price as each manufacturer chases the technology to get the perfect colour neutral balance needed. The more expensive sets allow a combination of square or rectangular ND factored Filters to be 'stacked', allowing addition of factor application.
A further popular ND is the 'non-graduated' which, as its name implies is a singular factor across the filter area, so the light passage through is consistent to all areas of the film or sensor. Perhaps you have seen some Seaside shots with milky seas, with exposures often running into minutes, with the use of a 8-10 or even a 15 factor filter (usually called a 'Big Stopper'?)
In recent times, manufacturers have attempted to accommodate a 'Jack of all trades' ND, so that, rather than having to buy a set of 5-6 filters of different factors, a single rotational Filter could attempt to do a similar task). Now, we don't go into the discussion that "5 single Prime Lenses are better than 1 Zoom lens debate... - but I must say, the unit I have works rather well. My Variable ND Filter is from Hama, 77mm dia (which fits all my lenses) and simply screws into the front element of the Lens; this makes the first part of the coating 'fixed', allowing rotation of the forward part to either lighten or darken the image. It starts at 1stop and goes through to 8stop, although the 8stop end makes the image very, very dark. As expected, the exposure needs to be worked out before the Shutter is depressed. As you're likely to (let's say) be taking a river in flow, or waterfall, you will be already on a Tripod and a low ISO with an Aperture value to manage your Depth of Field. I take a base reading prior to fitting the Filter, in manual, and focus manually. Then applying the ND Factor in Stops, use either the timer or Bulb mode to take the image, with a remote controller.
I will say it's worth taking a few images in raw, as it takes some getting used to, but confidence is gained by the histogram curve. I did try to be clever and see what it would do by applying a Polarising Filter to the front of the ND Filter - it's a disaster, as its basically 3 Polarising layers and they attempt to counteract each other, from a small central exposure area to a 90% blackout. Ah well, learning has taken place. If you get an opportunity to try this Filter, the range of options is considerable, although it helps to pre-visualise both the static and dynamic end result you're after.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All I did go to Chambers wood last week, not too much around but the Marsh Fritillaries are back again in the meadow. We had a good turnout for the meal on Friday, hope you all enjoyed it, thank you to my partner Jane for organising all the food orders. Everything went to plan until the chef dropped the roulade, hopefully your replacement was just as good. This week we have our first round of the LPA Battles against Grimsby and Scunthorpe. The judge for the evening is Diane Seddon. There should be a good turnout for this one with the other two clubs attending. The print competition with the categories of "Trees" and "Open" is to be held on the 24th of June, please email Dave Turner your titles and then bring your prints in on the night. Regards Graham
It’s been a fairly mundane May photography wise for me. I’ve visited Gibraltar Point, Messingham Sand Quarry, and Far Ings nature reserves, and taken some reasonable photos, but nothing really competition quality. The West Lindsey Open Churches Festival has been on for a couple of weekends, and I climbed the bell tower at St Peter, Scotter, had lunch at Kirton in Lindsey, and dropped in on a couple of churches in Caistor. My model photography has taken a back seat, I’ve not had a model shoot all of this month, I’ve had enquiries from a couple of models that I’ve worked with before, but not been able to arrange anything. Instead, I’ve been concentrating on wildlife, landscapes, and insect photography. My OM Systems cameras have been with me every day, the OM-5 is my daily carry, and the OM-1 is my heavy hitter, especially with the OM 100-400mm lens, or the 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens. I’m continuing to take images for the “Water” project, that’s one image of water for each month, providing twelve images to show on “Project Night” in January 2027. The May photo is an indoor creative image taken on a wet day. The trees, and horses were taken at Gibraltar Point, the Heron, and swans were at Messingham Sand Quarry.
Good Morning, All, Last week at the club we held our monthly competition, a PDI competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open", there was a very good entry with a high standard of photography. Congratulations go to Tony Gaskins for 1 st place in the Landscapes with Water and Paul Twomey for 1 st place in the Open. The results are on our website with the winning images. This week there is no meeting on Wednesday as it's our annual meal on the Friday. For those attending it's at the Royal Oak (Splash) Little Cawthorpe, to meet up around 7pm for meal at around 7.30pm. For those doing the water project, it's getting towards the end of the month if you haven't already taken your photograph. Regards Graham
We held a PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition last night with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was the highly experienced Jorj Malinowski, and his skills were very much needed in judging the 33 quality images in the "Landscapes with Water", this almost monochrome blue atmospheric image of an approaching storm on the Isle of Harris was taken by Tony Gaskins, and deservedly was judged to be 1st in the competition. After the much needed break, Jorj judged the 26 images in the "Open" category, Jorj held 7 images back for further consideration, and to award for higher points, following a process of elimination Jorj was left with 3 images, he awarded 20 points to each of the 3 remaining images, that left the cliff hanger moment when he had to decide the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. When you have 3 exceptional images of different subjects how do you chose? After what seemed like minutes it was the Blue Wildebeast Migration by Paul Twomey that took first place. It was an amazing evening with some impressive images, thanks to our judge Jorj, and well done to all the photographers who entered the competition, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Good Morning All Last week we had an excellent speaker on the Lincolnshire coast, Steve Dixey. Steve showed us his photographs taken at all times of the day and night, many early morning, Steve also gave tips on safety and helpful information regarding our local coastline. There is a full report on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 20th May, we are holding a PDI competition, I did try and confuse you with the wrong subject, but you were having none of it, so the categories are "Landscapes with Water" and "Open", all entries are in and scoring sheets have been sent out. I considered this photograph I took in the dales, but thought the water was too burnt out. Our next competition to be held on the 24th June, is prints with the categories of "Trees" and "Open", we are out and about prior to this competition so if you can send an email with the titles to Dave Turner as usual, you can bring prints in this week or on the night of the competition itself. Thank you I have all your meal choices for the annual dinner. Regards Graham
Our speaker last night was Steve Dixey who specialises in coastal photography. Steve showed some incredible photos, during his immersive, and engaging talk. Apart from the stunning images, three things stood out for me from his talk; the first is you don’t need the latest camera to take great images, Steve’s older Fuji camera has stood the test of time and produces excellent image quality. There are photographers who chase after the latest camera gear in the hope that it will make them a better photographer, thankfully not in our Society. The second thing that I noticed was the meticulous planning that Steve undertakes before venturing out onto the beach, noting the weather, tide times, sunrise / sunset, and moonrise / moonset. Steve uses maritime maps to determine the best locations along the Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire coast. As with any photography there is an element of luck, but the planning will get you 90% there, one of his coastal photos included a view of a beach lit by the moon, and a passing cloud had lightly obscured the brightness of the moon creating a lovely atmosphere. Thirdly, and perhaps this is the most important is his personal safety. The coast is an extremely dangerous environment, some people wander out onto sandbanks in trainers, and shorts oblivious to the tide circling in behind them especially at Cleethorpes. Steve ensures his safety by selecting correct clothing, wellington boots, or waders, he also has a GPS scanner, and emergency beacon, he is essentially a “lone worker” on an isolated beach in the small hours of the morning, or late at night, so much better to be safe than sorry. Steve produces several publications, and is able to provide guided coastal walks, for more information his email is: hspadventures@protonmail.com, and there’s a website: https://stevedixeyimages.wordpress.com/ Many thanks Steve for an excellent presentation.
Good Morning All Last week we held our AGM and presentation night, it was well attended and the night went very well. Members filled all the posts, and we had all the reports from the various officers, all is well with our club, and we can expect a good year ahead. This week, Wednesday 13th May, Steve Dixey is the speaker coming to our club for the first time, Steve specialises in coastal photography, and it will be an excellent night. Don't forget to send your PDI images for the next competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open" to Harry by midnight Wednesday. Remember also to send me your menu choices for the annual meal. Regards Graham
Last night we held our AGM, it was a productive meeting, with re-election of officers, and Committe members. Following the AGM, members with the highest points from the monthly competitions were presented with trophies.
Good afternoon, All, Last week we held a charity night in aid of Cancer Research as two of our members had passed away over the last two years from the disease. There is a blog on our website with all that went on but can I say a big thank you to all members for supporting the evening and far exceeding my expectations of how much we would raise. On the evening it stood at £333 then a generous donation from Harvey Pipe took it over £350 mark. Paul Twomey and his wife Cathy kindly donated to Cancer research taking it to just over £400, a great effort for a small club. The money has all been sent and the committee have seen proof that it was received by Cancer research. Thank you to the committee members for all their hard work making the evening a great success. This week, Wednesday 6th May, we will hold our AGM and Trophy presentation night. Don't forget if you are doing the monthly water project, (that's one image each month with the topic of water), it's now another month to take your fifth image. Regards Graham Harrison
At yesterday's meeting the Society held a Charity Night to raise funds for Cancer Research, as we have lost two of our members Paul Gray, and Paul Malley to cancer, members have also had family effected and lost wives to the disease. The evening was a social occasion with a raffle, quiz, auction, print competition, and cake. The raffle had many prizes donated, and raised £113 in ticket sales. Camera bags, signed books and binoculars had been donated for the auction which generated a lot of interest and raised £116. The tea and cake stand generated £48, the quiz raised £28, and the print competion raised £17. In total the Charity Night raised £322, and many thanks go to members for their generous donations to a worthy case. Colorgrafix of Louth donated a trophy cup in memory of Paul Malley, who had worked for Colografix on a part time basis. The cup has been engraved with Paul Malley's name, and is awarded for the "Best PDI of the Year", shown here is Harry Kerman being presented with the cup by Graham Harrison. Harry's "White Cosmos" image was Best PDI of the Year 2026.
