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 was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.
A visit to Whitby for a sunset picture didn't quite go to plan. Unknown to me today is the last day of the Whitby Regatta. Whitby in the summer is usually busy, but today it rivaled Time Square in New York. My planned shoot of the East Pier was a non-starter because for tonight only there's a fun fair along West Pier where I planned to shoot from. I had to re-think and resort to plan b, which was also a non-starter because the East Pier was closed as it was packed with fireworks. Plan c was OK though and I got an image I'm pleased with.
I've been up to RSPB Bempton Cliffs this week, and have taken some excellent photographs, the weather was fine, and the lighting was less harsh than usual. This pair were on the cliff top, obviously well established, and saw off this interloper trying to muscle in on their space, those beaks look very vicious. I hope that everyone else is having a productive summer break.
For club interaction, we are invited to these NELPS photo shoots. So lets start this club interaction, NELPS are now on there summer break, but it does not stop there. The NELPS club president has put together some outdoor photo shoots:- Lincoln 5th Aug meet at the Cathedral 11am Not forgetting the photo exhibition by Lincoln Camera Club in the Usher Gallery! Chambers Farm Wood & Butterfly Farm 12th Aug meet at 10am. Peoples Park Grimsby 19th Aug meet at 10am. Trolley Bus Museum Sandtoft 26th Aug meet at 10am Cadwell Park 10th Aug motorbikes, 24th Aug cars and both are track days so free to get in.
Sutton & Trusthorpe Camera Club have their annual Exhibition at the Meridale Hall, Sutton on Sea, on 29th / 30th August. Drink and a Home-made cake only £3!
