Filters « 360Photography

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘Filters’

The Best ND Filters You Can Buy in 2021 (9 Picks)

28 Jun

The post The Best ND Filters You Can Buy in 2021 (9 Picks) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

the best ND filters to enhance your photos

Choosing the best ND filter isn’t just about buying whatever option is the most expensive. While some pricier filters certainly use higher-quality components than their cheaper counterparts, there are a variety of factors to consider when looking at neutral density filters.

These small pieces of dark glass can work wonders for your photography and are a great way to add a splash of creativity to your shots or see things in a way you never thought possible. But if you are overwhelmed by the options and aren’t sure where to start, this list of the nine best ND filters should help point you in the right direction.

fountain in a park with a rainbow — Shot with a 10-stop ND filter.
Nikon D750 | 50mm f/1.8G | f/16 | 15s | ISO 100

Before we get too far into the list, know that there are many ND filter varieties and options that can suit your needs. ND filters perform a specific task, but they go about it in different ways – and what works for one person might not always work for another. So this list is designed to help you determine the best ND filters for specific needs, budgets, and quality levels.

It’s also important to know that ND filters come in many sizes, designed to suit different lenses. Most lenses have a screw-on thread size (you can find this printed on the lens itself). When purchasing an ND filter, you’ll need to ensure that the filter thread size matches your lens thread size.

Generally speaking, smaller filters will be less expensive, so think of the prices of the filters featured in this article as a rough estimate. The exact price of a filter for your lens will vary. To facilitate easier comparisons in terms of price, most of the filters here are 58mm, but don’t just buy a 58mm filter (or any other size) without checking your lens first.

1. Best ND filter for new users: Tiffen ND Filter Kit

If you are just getting started with ND filters and aren’t sure what you want to do with them, you can’t go wrong with Tiffen’s basic set. It’s inexpensive and includes three separate filters that let you block a small – but not insignificant! – amount of light.

The 4-stop filter is great for trying longer exposures in well-lit situations, whereas the 2-stop filter is nice if you want to use a prime lens wide open in bright light but your camera can’t support ultra-fast shutter speeds like 1/8000s.

Construction quality on Tiffen filters is decent but not outstanding, and while these filters might produce an unsightly color cast, it can be corrected easily in post-processing (just make sure you’re shooting in RAW).

Pros

Relatively inexpensive
Contains three separate filters
Includes carrying case

Cons

Subpar image quality
Average build

2. Best inexpensive ND filter: Neewer ND Filter Kit

For photographers who are more concerned about price than anything else, this set of Neewer ND filters is the way to go. Neewer is well-known in the photographic community for producing decent-quality-yet-inexpensive gear, and this filter set is no exception.

The Neewer ND Filter Kit won’t win any awards for quality, but the variety of filters included in the kit leaves room for a great deal of experimentation. Also, you can stack filters to produce even longer exposures; simply put one on your lens, then screw another onto that filter. This lets you test out very long exposures in bright light, with the significant caveat that your image quality will take a big hit (expect your pictures to take a major dip in sharpness and have a deep green or red color cast when stacking).

However, for budget-conscious photographers, these tradeoffs might be well worth it considering the cheap price.

Pros

Very inexpensive
Kit includes four filters, which is great for learning and experimenting
Filters can be stacked to block out even more light

Cons

Subpar image quality
Average build quality
Stacking filters results in a severe loss of sharpness

3. Best midrange ND filter: Hoya 3-Stop ND Filter

Why purchase a single ND filter when you can buy multiple filters for an equivalent price? The answer really comes down to two things: image quality and construction quality.

This Hoya filter is only three stops, so it won’t let you get super long exposures in bright daylight, but image quality is superior compared to some of the less expensive options on this list. It also has a special coating to reduce glare and other image artifacts, plus it undergoes a higher level of quality control to minimize problems more common in cheaper filters.

Pros

Good image quality
Good build quality
Negligible color cast in final images

Cons

Coating does not resist dust and scratches as effectively as more expensive filters
Can be difficult to attach and remove if not careful

4. Best semi-professional ND filter: B+W 6-Stop ND Filter

B+W filters strike a nice balance between image quality, construction of materials, and price. So while this 6-stop filter isn’t the most expensive option out there, it’s a significant upgrade from the cheaper ND filters on this list in a few key areas.

For instance, image quality is improved; you will see almost no green or magenta color cast in your images, unlike cheaper filters that often come in kits. And six stops of light-blocking power give you the freedom to create interesting images and play around with longer exposures without stacking several filters on top of each other.

Pros

Reduces light transmission more than less expensive filters
Great image quality
Very good build quality
Easy to screw on and off a lens

Cons

High price may dissuade beginner and casual photographers

5. Best budget 10-stop ND filter: B+W 10-Stop ND Filter

If you really want to go all-out with longer exposures but don’t want to go broke in the process, I highly recommend this 10-stop filter from B+W.

Image quality is excellent – you’ll notice a slight color cast that can be easily fixed if you shoot RAW – and build quality is outstanding. 10 stops of light-blocking power let you shoot in broad daylight for several seconds even at larger apertures. You can get creative with long exposures, and by closing down your aperture and leaving the shutter open for 20 or 30 seconds, you can eliminate moving objects and passersby.

I really enjoy using this filter, and it’s a great step up from other less expensive options on this list.

Pros

Relatively inexpensive compared to other 10-stop ND filters
Good build quality

Cons

Slight color cast to images compared to more expensive options
Can be difficult to remove from the lens if over-tightened

6. Best budget variable ND filter: Bower Variable ND Filter

Variable ND filters solve an interesting problem faced by many photographers: how to block different amounts of light without physically altering your gear. Variable ND filters let you turn a ring on the filter itself to adjust its light-blocking power, so there’s no need to buy multiple filters or attempt filter stacking.

The Bower Variable ND filter is a great entry point for people who want to use this type of filter without spending much money. Image quality on variable ND filters like this one is not as good compared to a solid ND filter, but if you value convenience over sharpness, then the tradeoff is worth it. I wouldn’t recommend doing professional work with this inexpensive filter, but for new users who want a good option without spending a lot of money, this Bower filter fits the bill.

Pros

A great way to explore variable ND filters without spending too much money
Pretty good image quality
Very versatile, with adjustments from 2 to 8 stops of light

Cons

Build quality isn’t as good as more expensive options
Overall image sharpness is lacking

7. Best 10-stop ND filter: PolarPro QuartzLine ND Filter

If money is no object and you value image quality above all else, this PolarPro filter is the perfect choice. Like its less-expensive B+W counterpart, it blocks 10 stops of light for very long exposures in bright light, but it also comes with several quality-of-life improvements that many photographers will appreciate. These include rock-solid image construction, thickly-knurled edges to help grip the filter as you screw it on and off, and special coatings to reduce problematic image artifacts as well as protect against damage from dust and water.

I don’t recommend this ND filter for beginners, but if you are looking for a significant step up from the less-expensive options on this list, the PolarPro is a stellar buy.

Pros

Outstanding build quality
Big, chunky knurled edges make it easy to attach and remove
Excellent image quality

Cons

Very high price

8. Best graduated ND filter: Hoya Graduated ND10

Normal ND filters have one key limitation: they block light uniformly across the entire lens, which can be problematic in some scenarios (e.g., when a scene features a significantly brighter foreground than background or vice versa). Enter graduated neutral density filters, which block varying degrees of light across the frame.

This Hoya Graduated ND filter is a great option for landscape photographers who want a darker sky but a lighter foreground (and other such tricky scenarios). The Hoya blocks light gradually from three stops to one stop, is built from quality materials, and won’t break the bank like other, more expensive options.

Pros

Smooth, even gradations from dark to light
Very good image quality
Direction of gradations can be easily altered after the filter is attached to a lens

Cons

Price is a bit higher than what some beginners would want to spend

9. Best 15-stop ND filter: Lee ProGlass IRND 4.5

The Lee ProGlass IRND is big, expensive, and won’t work without a special holder that attaches to the front of your camera lens. It’s impractical for most people, but it’s also the best option available for photographers who want to block out a lot of light.

This 15-stop filter lets you capture extraordinarily long exposures in broad daylight; shutter speeds are measured in minutes rather than seconds. Moving objects will disappear from your final shots, and the surface of any body of water will be transformed into smooth glass.

This 15-stop filter is not for the faint of heart – but for those willing to spend some money and put in the time and effort to learn how to use it, the results are phenomenal.

Pros

Excellent build quality
Outstanding image quality
Comes with an exposure guide for calculating very long shutter speeds

Cons

Very expensive
Requires the use of a filter holder (which must be purchased separately)
Not as convenient or easy to use as a screw-on filter

Best ND filter: conclusion

long exposure sunset with ND filter — The setting sun combined with a 3-stop ND filter made it possible for me to shoot a long exposure and smooth out the surface of the water while capturing motion in the clouds.
Fuji X100F | 23mm | f/16 | 30s | ISO 200

Neutral density filters are a great way to experiment with fun, creative ideas and explore new photographic possibilities. If you’ve never used an ND filter, I recommend getting one of the less expensive options on this list to see what you have been missing, and if you are a seasoned professional, you might consider a graduated ND filter or even a Lee 15-stop filter to really expand your horizons.

No matter what type of photographer you are, there should be at least one option on this list of best ND filters that is right for you.

Now I’d love to see some of your long-exposure shots and hear your thoughts on your favorite ND filters. Leave photos and share your opinions in the comments section below!

Best neutral density filter FAQ

My camera has a built-in ND filter. Can I use that instead of buying a separate ND filter?

You can, of course, use the ND filter that is built into your camera, but these typically only block 2-3 stops of light. That’s enough to do some experimenting, but you won’t be able to get ultra-long exposures in broad daylight. For that, you will need a separate ND filter such as one of the options on this list.

When are the best times to use an ND filter?

This is really a matter of personal preference, but I like to use ND filters to get smooth motion with water. Some people use them to remove moving objects when shooting static subjects, like a monument or a sculpture. Another great option is to use them when shooting portraits in bright light; you can then work with wider apertures without reaching the limit of your camera’s shutter speed.

Will an ND filter protect my lens?

Yes, but that’s not their primary purpose. If you want to shield your lens from dirt and scratches, look into a UV filter or a clear filter. You can then attach an ND filter on top, though image sharpness will decrease just a bit as a result.

Do I have to shoot in RAW when using ND filters?

No, but I do recommend it. Shooting in RAW makes it easy to adjust the exposure of your image, fix green or magenta color casts, and clean up spots from dust on the lens. The latter is usually not visible with larger apertures, but when shooting long exposures it’s common to stop down your lens, which makes small imperfections on your lens easier to see in the final image.

The post The Best ND Filters You Can Buy in 2021 (9 Picks) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

6 Places to Use ND Filters for Long Exposure Photography

05 Apr

The post 6 Places to Use ND Filters for Long Exposure Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Matt Murray.

A neutral density (ND) filter is one of the most versatile accessories you can have in your camera bag. They may be small, but ND filters open up a range of creative options for photographers.

If you need some inspiration on where to use your neutral density filter, keep reading. In this article, I’ll share with you some of my favorite places to use ND filters for long exposure photography.

What is an ND filter, and why would I want to use one?

A neutral density or ND filter is a piece of glass that sits in front of your lens and reduces the amount of light that reaches the sensor.

If you’ve never used an ND filter before, you might be wondering why you’d want to do this; let me explain.

Many long exposure photography beginners shoot at night. Here, a shutter speed of a few seconds or more is necessary for an accurate exposure of the scene, and any movement captured in the image is magically transformed into a thing of beauty. If your camera is steady on a tripod, buildings remain in sharp focus, but the movement of car headlights or rushing water is captured as interesting streaks in the image:

harbor with bridge and city — A neutral density filter can be a photographer’s best friend.

Capturing this kind of effect can only be done after dark, right?

Wrong.

With an ND filter, you can take stunning long exposures during the day.

You see, if you don’t use an ND filter, a long exposure in bright daylight conditions would result in an overexposed image. But with an ND filter reducing the amount of light that reaches the sensor, you need to use a much slower shutter speed to photograph the scene. This allows you to capture movement.

There are so many amazing places where you can use an ND filter to take stunning long exposure photos. I’ve listed some of my favorites below, starting with:

1. Waterfalls

Waterfalls are the place many photographers try out their ND filters for the first time.

They’re certainly a fantastic location for you to start; flowing water is transformed into a silky-soft cascade, which gives images a real wow factor.

Just watch out for mist and water spray and make sure it doesn’t cover your filter and lens!

waterfall long exposure — Waterfalls are a popular place to try out an ND filter.
Captured with my Fujifilm 16mm f/1.4 lens at Springbrook National Park in Queensland.

The intensity of a waterfall can depend on recent rainfall. But the good news is that, no matter how large or small the waterfall is, it’ll look amazing when shot with an ND filter.

2. Rivers and harbors

Rivers and harbors are fantastic places to capture movement and lights along with the flow of water.

During daylight hours, it’s possible to capture the movement of boats along the water. And as the sun goes down and the city lights come on, ferries and boats create colorful light trails that can bring an image to life.

I love this image of a ferry on Sydney Harbour:

harbor long exposure — Rivers and harbors provide an array of long exposure opportunities.

Thanks to my ND filter, I was able to use a shutter speed of around 1s, giving the ferry a nice, colorful blur (while buildings behind it remain in sharp focus).

3. Ocean pools

Saltwater ocean pools dot the Australian coastline, with most of them found in the state of New South Wales. The pools are very popular with locals and tourists alike and can get very busy each morning. But the good thing about these iconic locations is that you have another body of water to photograph alongside the sea.

This image was taken early one morning in Yamba, New South Wales:

ND filters for long exposure photography ocean pool

I framed the pool in the foreground with the sea and the cliffs in the background. As I was taking a series of long exposures with a 10-stop ND filter, a swimmer jumped out of the pool right in front of me, creating a ghostly figure in the foreground of the frame.

The image below was taken at 6 AM (when it was already very bright). I was attracted to the scene by the reflections in the flooded area next to the pool, which contrasted nicely with the pool’s ethereal-looking water and the waves of the ocean on the far left.

ocean pool ND filters for long exposure photography — I love the three different bodies of water in this ocean pool shot.

4. Traffic

Traffic trails are typically one of the first things photographers shoot when they start taking long exposure images. Well after the sun has sunk below the horizon, a shutter speed of between 5 and 15 seconds is often needed to create a properly exposed shot, resulting in a colorful blur of traffic trails.

But if you have an ND filter, there’s no need to wait until after dark.

This is a composite of images I took with my ND2 filter at a subway station in Taipei, Taiwan:

city long exposure — A composite image of dusk in Taipei, Taiwan.

I knew I needed an exposure of a few seconds to make the most of the traffic and the subway train in the image. But it was too bright, and my exposure times were barely a second. Adding an ND filter allowed me to capture this scene as I had envisioned, and the final file is a composite of some of those long-exposure images.

5. Funfairs

Funfairs and carnivals are fantastic places for photography. There are so many opportunities: people, rides, food, and animals, to name just a few.

And when the sun goes down, don’t head home – set up your tripod for some long exposure images.

That’s exactly what I did for this image of a sideshow alley at Brisbane’s Royal Queensland show four years ago. The photo has been shared on Instagram every year since – sometimes with my permission, sometimes without. With an ND2 filter, I was able to take exposures that were twice as long as usual.

fair in Brisbane long exposure — My images of this funfair in Brisbane have been very popular on Instagram.

6. Unique natural attractions

Okay, so I’m cheating a little with this last image by combining two places I’ve already mentioned: a waterfall and the sea.

This stunning location (below) is the village of Gásadalur in the Faroe Islands. Unfortunately, there are not many places in the world where you can see such an incredible sight, though there are probably many unique natural locations near where you live.

waterfall heading into ocean ND filters for long exposure photography — Perhaps the most unique waterfall in the world, Gásadalur, Faroe Islands.

Gásadalur was number one on my list of places to photograph when I visited the Faroe Islands in 2017. Blessed with sunny weather on my first day, I headed to the coast just outside the village to take this shot. I wasn’t disappointed.

6 places to use ND filters: final thoughts

Neutral density filters are quite possibly the handiest accessory photographers can keep in their camera bags. They have many uses, but the most common is to take photos with a slow shutter speed.

This makes ND filters a must-have for long exposure photography during daylight hours; you can use them to blur subjects that would otherwise be frozen.

It’s always fun to get out your tripod and ND filter and experiment!

Now over to you:

What are your favorite places to use ND filters for long exposure photography? Share your thoughts (and long exposure images) in the comments below!

The post 6 Places to Use ND Filters for Long Exposure Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Matt Murray.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

How to Use Graduated Neutral Density Filters for Landscape Photography

03 Jan

The post How to Use Graduated Neutral Density Filters for Landscape Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Francesco Gola.

graduated neutral density filters landscape photography

If you want to create stunning landscape photos without significant post-processing, then you need a graduated neutral density filter.

But why are GND filters so important? What do they do? And how do you use them?

That’s what this article is all about.

So if you’re ready to discover how you can capture beautiful landscape images with GND filters, let’s get started!

Dynamic range

Since the camera was invented, we have tried to copy one of the greatest wonders of our body: the human eye. Unfortunately, while it’s been nearly 200 years since we first captured light with the camera, we are still far from overcoming Mother Nature.

Why?

Because the eye sees much better than the camera.

The parameter that describes this behavior is called dynamic range. It basically defines the difference between the minimum and maximum value of brightness that a device (like your eye or the sensor of your camera) is able to record. From a practical perspective, dynamic range defines the ability of your camera to see details in very dark areas and very bright areas of a scene.

If you’re wondering how much more your eye sees compared to your camera, the answer is staggering. Your eye can see about twice as much dynamic range as older cameras (though camera technology has come a long way in recent years!).

The problem

Thanks to the eye’s massive dynamic range, when you look at a marvelous sunset, you’re able to see all the details in the scene (in both the sky and the land).

But as soon as you try to capture the scene with your camera, you’ll get an overexposed sky or an underexposed foreground. The dynamic range of your camera is limited, and can therefore capture detail in only one of these areas, so you have to choose.

Given that limitation, how can we hope to shoot a beautiful sunset or a wonderful sunrise and capture all the marvelous details, both in the sky and on the land?

There are different methods to overcome this problem, but my favorite is the use of graduated neutral density filters (also known as GNDs).

What is a graduated neutral density filter?

A graduated neutral density filter is a piece of glass made up of two distinct parts:

A completely transparent area, and a darker section.

Now, by positioning the darkest part of the filter to correspond with the brightest portion of the scene you’re photographing, you can reduce the exposure difference (dynamic range) in the frame.

In other words, by positioning the dark part of a graduated neutral density filter over a bright sky, you can reduce the difference in brightness between the sky and the land for a much more even exposure.

To reduce the exposure difference is to reduce the dynamic range of the scene – so your camera can simultaneously capture detail in both bright and dark areas of the scene. GND filters are like sunglasses for your camera – except that the sunglasses are only applied to a portion of the image, rather than the entire shot.

Types of graduated neutral density filters

Graduated neutral density filters are typically distinguished by the type of transition between the transparent and dark areas of the filter. There are three main families of GNDs:

Hard-edge filters are characterized by a clear boundary between the transparent and dark areas. You use a hard-edge GND when the separation between the bright and dark areas of your scene is very defined, such as when photographing a seascape with a flat horizon.
Soft-edge filters are characterized by a soft transition (they change from light to dark more gradually), and are therefore used when the transition between light and dark areas is less distinct. A classic example is a mountainous scene, where the mountains intersect with the sky.
Reverse filters are nothing more than hard-edge GNDs with a dark area that fades away as you move from the line of separation to the upper border of the filter (so the filter is darker in the middle than on the edge). Reverse GNDs were invented to better manage sunrises and sunsets, where the light is more intense on the horizon line (in the middle of the scene). If you love seascapes (like me!), this filter will be your best friend forever.

Another difference between filters is the material. Higher-quality filters are made of optical glass. Putting an inexpensive resin filter in front of a lens worth hundreds (or thousands) of dollars is not a great idea.

Finally, GND filters are distinguished by their ability to block light. In other words, how dark are they at their most extreme?

In landscape photography, you generally need one to four stops of darkness during sunrise and sunset, depending on the weather conditions. This is the reason why most filters on the market offer these gradations.

You can shop for graduated neutral density filters on Amazon or at B&H Photo Video (they ship worldwide).

How to use a GND filter in the field

Using graduated neutral density filters in the field is very simple.

First, try to take exposure readings off the darkest and brightest areas of the scene (usually the foreground and the sky, respectively). The difference in exposure will indicate the intensity of the filter you’ll need.

For instance, if the meter reading for the sky is 1/250s and the meter reading for the foreground is 1/30s, then the difference between those readings is three stops (1/250s > 1/125s > 1/60s > 1/30s), so to balance the exposure you should use a 0.9 (3-stop) GND.

At this point, just mount the filter with its dark side over the brightest part of the scene. This is why a GND screw-in filter doesn’t make sense. You would not be able to align the transition area with the scene, whereas a drop-in filter lets you position the transition area perfectly.

To avoid holding the filter with your hands, you can buy a filter holder. Once the holder is mounted in front of your lens, it will hold your filters in place. (Note that you can stack multiple filters this way.)

There are many nice holders on the market, but the best one (in my opinion) is the V6 Holder by NiSi filters. It’s the only filter holder that lets you simultaneously install three different filters and a polarizer without any vignetting issues (plus, it works as wide as 16mm on full-frame cameras).

Graduated neutral density filters in landscape photography: Conclusion

Without graduated neutral density filters, capturing sunrise and sunset scenes will be hard – and sometimes impossible.

That’s why I recommend you always have at least one GND in your bag.

And the limited dynamic range of your camera will just be a bad memory!

The post How to Use Graduated Neutral Density Filters for Landscape Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Francesco Gola.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

Moment unveils CineBloom, its new line of cinematic diffusion filters

23 Sep

Photography accessory company Moment has released CineBloom, its new lineup of diffusion filters meant to ‘take the edge’ off your digital photos.

Inspired by cinema, the new CineBloom filters can be used with both stills and video, and ‘capture dreamy, film-like vibes straight out of a camera,’ not unlike the ‘Pro-Mist’ diffusion filters Tiffen produces.

The filters are constructed of ‘aerospace grade aluminum’ and ‘Japanese optical glass’ and come in seven sizes: 37mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm. They’re available in two densities — 10% and 20% — so you can choose exactly how much diffusion you’d like. Moment has designed the filters in such a way that they can also be paired with the company’s variable neutral density filters for further creative control right in camera.

The filters are available for purchase through Moment’s online store. Prices start at $ 50 for the 37mm filter and go up to $ 80 for the 82mm filter; the density you choose doesn’t affect the price.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

How, Why, and When to Use Polarizing Filters

15 Sep

The post How, Why, and When to Use Polarizing Filters appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Polarizing filters are one of the most useful accessories a photographer can own. They are small, inexpensive, and make a significant impact on your photos.

Post-processing allows you to make many alterations to the photos you take. But no post-processing software can mimic the effect of polarizing filters. Using a polarizer cuts down on reflections, haze, and scattered light. They also boost color saturation and contrast.

Many imaging programs have tools to control color saturation and contrast easily and effectively. Some have dehazing tools. But none (so far) have the ability to remove glare and reflections the same as polarizing filters can.

polarizing filters over a blue sky — © Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800 | 55mm | 1/400 sec | f/16 | ISO 400 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

What is a polarizing filter?

The most common polarizing filters are circular and consist of two glass pieces sandwiched together. They go on the front of your lens, so you need the correct size to fit your lens diameter (or an adaptor).

Once the filter is on the lens, you can rotate the outer layer of the filter. As you turn the filter, the effect it has on light entering your lens changes. At different angles of rotation, the amount of light that’s filtered out will vary. This depends on where the sun is and which direction you’re pointing your camera.

The most noticeable effect of a polarizing filter is when it’s rotated at a ninety-degree angle to the sun.

Here, you can see the effect the polarizing filter has on the reflection of the wood surface it is resting on. The glare coming off the wood is almost totally removed by the filter.

circular polarizing filter — © Kevin Landwer-Johan Nikon D800 | 55mm | 1/125 sec | f/3.5 | ISO 800 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

Why polarizing filters are useful

At times, reflections can enhance a photograph or even be the main subject. But they can also be unwanted and distracting.

When you are photographing:

glass
chrome
water
or other reflective surfaces

it can be challenging to create a clear representation in your photos. Reflections from these types of surfaces can invade your composition. They are not always possible to avoid without using a polarizing filter. Even with a polarizing filter, you may not be able to completely eliminate reflections from a surface.

Skies and clouds photographed with a polarizing filter can take on a whole different look. Compare the two images below. For the first one I used a polarizer, and for the second one I did not.

Neither image was post-processed. You can see the difference in the detail of the clouds and in the saturation of the blue sky.

Blue sky with clouds using polarizing filter — With a polarizing filter. © Kevin Landwer-Joahn Nikon D800 | 55mm | 1/200 sec | f/11 | ISO 200 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

blue sky with clouds — Without a polarizing filter.© Kevin Landwer-Johan. Nikon D800 | 55mm | 1/640 sec | f/11 | ISO 200 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

When photographing at the beach or beside a lake, a polarizing filter is especially useful. Being able to control the strength of reflection in the water makes a significant difference in your photos. The added saturation boost also makes water and skies look more appealing.

How to use circular polarizing filters

Polarizing filters work by stopping some light waves from entering your lens. Light waves reflect off uneven surfaces in different directions. A polarizing filter only allows light to enter the lens that’s coming from certain directions.

As light waves vibrate and bounce off different surfaces, the direction and rate of the vibration is altered. This is why colors are also affected by polarizing filters.

When light reflects off a flat surface, using a polarizer will have a more uniform effect on it. This is because the waves are primarily moving in a similar direction. So the reflection of a window will be influenced differently by a polarizer than that of a surface that’s not flat.

sky and mountains reflected in a window — © Kevin Landwer-Johan. Nikon D800 | 35mm | 1/125 sec | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

When the reflected light reaches the filter, some of the waves will be blocked from entering the lens by the coating on the filter. This dichroic coating has chains of molecules lined up in one direction. Waves of light parallel to these chains are blocked by the filter.

As you rotate the outer ring of a polarizer, you can see how the effect of the filter changes. This is because you are altering the direction of the lines of the filter coating in relation to the light waves.

Putting it into practice

Using a polarizing filter is best done by turning the filter and observing what’s happening. Either by looking through your viewfinder or at your rear LCD screen, you will see the image changing as you turn the filter.

There are techniques you can read about that rely on scientific breakdowns of how these filters work. They will tell you in which direction you’ll see the most effect. But, in reality, every scene you photograph is different. It is impossible to predict correctly how the light gets blocked by the filter.

If you use a polarizer often, you’ll get more used to how it works and how you can use it to manage reflections in your photos. At times, you’ll be able to virtually eliminate reflections; in other situations, the filter will make little difference.

papaya leaf — Without a polarizing filter. © Kevin Landwer-Johan. Nikon D800 | 35mm | 1/200 sec | f/10 | ISO 200 | Manual Mode | Pattern Metering

Conclusion

Experimenting with polarizing filters is the best way to make use of them. I usually carry a few in my bag of varying sizes. These fit my 55mm, 35mm, and 105mm lenses, which are the lenses I use the most.

Using a polarizer with a wide-angle lens can create some weird results because of the broad field of view.

If you’re making a series of photos to stitch together as a panorama, take your polarizer off. The edges of your photos may not join seamlessly if you’re using a polarizer.

Remember to attach polarizing filters to your lenses when you want to boost the color of a blue sky or reduce the reflection off a shiny surface. As you’re getting used to using this filter, take some photos of each scene with and without the filter.

That way, you’ll quickly begin to get a feel for the differences it makes.

The post How, Why, and When to Use Polarizing Filters appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

Breakthrough Photography announces more than 20 drop-in filters for Canon’s EF-RF adapter

11 Aug

San Francisco-based Breakthrough Photography has announced the first third-party drop-in filters for Canon’s EF-RF drop-in filter mount. This filter mount allows users to adapt EF or EF-S lenses to EOS R series mirrorless cameras with a dedicated space for A-type drop-in filters.

Since the EF-EOS R drop-in filter mount adapter first launched, users have been limited to Canon’s own circular polarizing (CPL) filter or variable neutral density (ND) filter. With Breakthrough Photography’s new line of compatible drop-in filters, users will have access to more than 20 different X2 and X4 filters.

Breakthrough Photography’s new drop-in filter line. Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

The design of Breakthrough Photography’s new drop-in filters includes a rubberized grip to make it easier to put the filter in and remove it from the adapter. For filters with adjustment, there is a large ridged adjustment wheel. Each drop-in filter is also color-coded to make filters identifiable with a quick glance, which will be particularly useful for photographers who purchase one of Breakthrough’s available filter kits, such as the Essential X2, Essential X4 or Complete B&W filter kits.

The Breakthrough drop-in filters include a large adjustment wheel and a rubberized grip. The filters are also clearly labeled and color-coded. Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

Before delving into specific available filters, let’s consider the difference between Breakthrough’s X2 and X4 filters. Looking at the X2 CPL versus the X4 CPL, the latter filter has an average light transmission of 50.64% whereas the former has an average light transmission of 42.44%. According to Breakthrough Photography, the X4 CPL ‘moderately outperforms’ the Canon drop-in CPL filter, whereas the X2 CPL has ‘slightly less’ light transmission than the Canon filter. In terms of color cast, the X4 CPL ‘moderately outperforms’ the Canon filter.

Breakthrough states that their X4 CPL filter has the best light transmission among its competitors. We can also see here that the Canon drop-in CPL filter performs well, as does Breakthrough’s more affordable X2 CPL filter. Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

The X2 ND filters and X4 ND filters don’t have a direct Canon competitor because Canon offers a variable ND filter rather than a series of solid drop-in ND filters. With that said, Breakthrough Photography claims that the X4 ND outperforms ‘industry-leading manufacturers such as Singh-Ray and B+W and Lee’ due in part to neutral color transmission.

Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

Canon’s EF-EOS R drop-in filter mount includes a 1.5-9 stop variable ND filter. In addition to solid ND filters in 3, 6, 10, 15 and 20 stop strengths, Breakthrough’s new drop-in filter line includes a pair of variable ND filters. The first, VND-R, is adjustable from 2 to 11 stops. There is also a stronger Dark VND-R, allowing adjustment from 10 to 16 stops of ND strength. Breakthrough states that the VND-R and Dark VND-R drop-in filters eliminate the ‘X’ pattern sometimes seen on VND filters with wide-angle lenses. The Canon drop-in VND is an excellent filter but Breakthrough states that their filters outperform it. You can view a transmission percentage comparison below.

There are four CPL filters in the line aimed at black and white photography: Red, orange, yellow and green. They are available in a bundled set.

Comparing Breakthrough’s available black and white CPL filters. Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

Rounding out the series of drop-in filters are Night Sky, infrared 720nm and a pair of clear filters. Digital cameras, such as the EOS R, RP, R5 and R6, include a permanent IR-cut filter over the image sensor. With the IR filter, some residual light can reach the sensor and show the scene in a way different from how it appears in the visible light spectrum. The Night Sky filter is designed to reduce light pollution and show night scenes with color neutrality.

Breakthrough’s Night Sky filter aims to reduce the impact of light pollution on colors in night sky images. The image on the left was captured without the Night Sky filter, whereas the image on the right was shot using the Night Sky filter. Image credit: Breakthrough Photography

Breakthrough Photography expects the filters to begin shipping in late September. Prospective customers can preorder individual filters and filter kits now through Breakthrough Photography’s website. Prices range from $ 80 to $ 200 for individual filters. There are also savings available if customers opt for a filter kit rather than purchasing a set of individual filters. It’s worth noting that all Breakthrough Photography filters include a free 25-year ‘Ironclad Guarantee’. If you’d like to learn more about long exposure photography while you wait for your new filters to arrive, Breakthrough Photography offers a free 52-page long exposure photography guide, which you can learn more about here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

How to Use Photography Filters for Amazing Long Exposure Landscapes

15 Jul

The post How to Use Photography Filters for Amazing Long Exposure Landscapes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

One of the most competitive genres in photography is landscapes. In this article, you’ll learn how to add creativity to your landscapes by using filters. The use of filters will allow you to create masterpiece long exposure landscapes, and you’ll learn what’s needed to do this. So read on and discover tips and tricks to get the best results.

How to Use Photography Filters for Amazing Long Exposure Landscapes — Using the correct exposure length meant an interesting foreground from the movement of water.

What is long exposure photography?

One of the key settings on your camera is the ability to control the exposure length. If you’re new to photography, the chances are you’ll not have tried long exposures yet. You’ll need a tripod, but once you begin taking long exposure photos, the creative potential is massive.

Long exposure photos are those that last for over one second in length, and typically don’t last more than thirty seconds. There are some situations where even longer long exposures can be taken. These can last minutes. To take these photos, you need to use bulb mode on your camera.

How to use filters for long exposure landscapes

The use of filters to produce these long exposure landscapes will increase your options. They allow you to take long exposure daytime photos (where there is lots of light), and, if you wish, even longer night time long exposures.

You can use different grades of filters to give you the ability to take photos of different exposure lengths. Of course, the time of day is a massive factor as well, with night time an easier time to take long exposures.

Filters you can use during the day

The filter you’ll need to use to take long exposure landscapes during the day is the ND filter. These are neutral density filters, which are abbreviated to ND filters.

These filters work by blocking out the amount of light that comes into the camera. They should do this without changing the color tone of your image, which is why the filter is considered neutral. The strength of these filters range.

filters for long exposure landscapes - waterfall in the fall — Filters can be used to lengthen the exposure, and produce “silk water”.

Weak ND filters

These are the ND2, ND4, and ND8 filters. They’re more often used with flash photography, but you can use them to extend exposure length during the day. In low light situations like under tree canopies, or as the evening draws in, using one of these filters may allow you to take a long exposure.

Circular Polarizer (CPL) filter

In a similar fashion to the weak ND filters, you can use a CPL filter in a low light situation to turn a half-second exposure to a one or two-second exposure. This can be long enough to dramatically change the nature of moving water during an exposure.

Strong ND filters

These filters are designed for longer exposures, the typical filters you can use are the ND110 and the ND1000. Filters like this will allow you to take exposures longer than five seconds or more even during the middle of the day.

Infrared filters

Infrared filters block out all light except infrared.

The exact light they block comes with the name of the filter. The Hoya R72 filter blocks all light except the light of a wavelength of 720 nanometers. This translates to a filter that’s even stronger at blocking out light than the ND1000.

You will, of course, be taking an infrared photo, but this will then be a long exposure that can often be minutes long.

Filters you can use during the night

The need to use filters for night time long exposure is not as extreme.

You’ll almost certainly be able to carry out long exposures with no problem, except perhaps during the transition from day to night. Here, the filters you’ll likely use are the weak ND filters or the CPL filters, with the intention of turning a medium-length long exposure into a longer long exposure.

However, the need to use a strong ND filter can occur. This happens when you want an exposure that lasts several minutes. Usually, you would not take an exposure of this length, but in order to get cloud motion across the sky, this length of exposure can be needed.

filters for long exposure landscapes - jetty over the water at sunset — Flattening the water makes for a serene landscape.

Stacking filters

The more extreme long exposure landscapes will require filter stacking. Stacking filters means placing one filter on top of another to combine their strength.

Those wanting to take an ultra-long daytime long exposure, that produces cloud motion, often need to stack an ND110 filter with an ND1000 filter.

Stacking filters gives you an extra level of control over the length of your exposure. This happens by blocking more or less light. One thing to be careful of when stacking is vignetting. When using screw-on filters, there is a greater risk of this, caused by stacking too many filters on the front of your lens.

How long to expose for?

The aim of adding a filter to the front of your lens is to lengthen the exposure. Learning the correct strength of filter you need to apply is therefore important.

To know how strong the filter should be, you will need to decide what type of long exposure landscape you wish to take. The following is a list of photo types you could take during the daytime.

Silky water – An exposure of one second is long enough to produce the silk water effect at places like waterfalls.
Water motion – The motion of water and the length of exposure is a sliding scale. At half a second, it’s long enough to capture motion from waves going in and out at a beach. A longer exposure can then be used all the way up to the exposure length needed to flatten the sea. It’s not always desirable to completely flatten water, as some turbulence can look nice.
Flattening the sea – An exposure longer than ten seconds will be enough to flatten the sea.
Cloud motion on a calm day – With slow-moving clouds, an exposure of minutes will be required.
Cloud motion on a windy day – On a windy day, an exposure of over 15 seconds is likely to be long enough. However, you will need to experiment with the conditions you have on the day.

Time for long exposure landscapes!

The take-home message is to know how long an exposure you need, and use the correct filter on your lens to allow this length of exposure.

Do you enjoy long exposure photography, or are you yet to learn about the genre?

If you have examples of your work you would like to share, please share them in the comments section. These could be from your archives or images you take after reading this article. So get out with your tripod, and create some long exposure magic!

The post How to Use Photography Filters for Amazing Long Exposure Landscapes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

H&Y Revoring variable step-up rings allow filters to fit multiple lens thread sizes

30 Jun

Filter manufacturer H&Y has launched a series of new step-up adapter rings that have variable thread sizes to allow users to fit a single screw-in filter to multiple different sized lenses. Using a sprung iris the thread size of the Revoring can be altered to fit a range of lens sizes via a rotating ring on the adapter. The idea is a single screw-in filter can be switched between different lenses very quickly without the need for changing adapter rings.

There are four sizes of Revoring to cover lens threads of 37-49mm, 46-62mm, 67-82mm and 82-95mm. The 37-49mm ring, for example, takes a 52mm filter. Once attached to the Revoring that filter can be switched between lenses that use filter thread sizes of 37mm to 49mm, by twisting the revolving ring to adjust the size of the adapter’s thread.

Twisting the adjustable ring closes the iris to its smallest size, and releasing it allows the thread to expand to fit the lens in use. The adapter holds in place immediately, but can be screwed in for extra security. To take the adapter off the lens the ring is turned to again contract the iris so it comes free of the lens.

Each of the sizes comes as a stand-alone ring for users to attach their own filters, or a second version is available that has H&Y’s variable ND filter with a circular polariser already built-in. The variable ND ranges from ND 3-1000 covering light reductions of 1.5-10 stops.

I’ve had couple of the rings for a while and thought a video would explain them a little better.

H&Y says the Revorings are made from architectural building-grade 6063 aluminum giving them strength while maintaining a light weight – the 67-82mm ring weighs 64g/2.25oz – and that the metal is protected with a matte black anodised coating.
Revorings are being launched via a Kickstarter campaign that runs until August 8th.

Post-campaign RRP:

37mm – 49mm REVORING: Accommodating 52mm filters – $ 35
46mm – 62mm REVORING: Accommodating 67mm filters – $ 35
67mm – 82mm REVORING: Accommodating 82mm filters – $ 40

37mm – 49mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL – $ 184.00
46mm – 62mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL – $ 189.00
67mm – 82mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL – $ 199.00

The 82-95mm Revoring will be a ‘stretch goal’ that will be made available should the campaign raise $ 500,000. Should it reach $ 750,000 the 82-95mm ring will be released with the variable ND and CPL option. Reduced prices during the campaign will start at $ 23 for the 37-49mm Revoring and $ 139 for the same size with the filters built-in. For more information see the H&Y website or the Revoring Kickstarter campaign page.

Press release:

H&Y Announce The REVORING: A Revolutionary Adapter with a Twist

Imaging innovation campaign now live on Kickstarter

H&Y Digital Company Limited has announced the launch of a brand new Kickstarter campaign for the innovative step ring adapter, the H&Y REVORING and REVORING with Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 & Circular Polariser combined filter, for use with DSLR, mirrorless and video camera lenses.

The REVORING is a true first in the image-making world. Its revolutionary design overcomes the need for multiple filters and step-up rings, saving photographers and filmmakers both time and money.

REVORING: The last word in filter adapters

The REVORING arrives as a completely new type of filter adapter. With its patent-pending variable and tough retractable blade technology, it can fit any lens with filter thread sizes between 37 – 49mm, 46mm – 62mm or 67mm – 82mm, accommodating either 52mm, 67mm or 82mm screw-in filters for the sizes available at launch. This versatility negates any need for photographers, cinematographers and content creators to carry multiple step-up rings, which can make for messy kit bags and adding unnecessary extra weight.

REVORING Variable ND + Circular Polariser combination

In addition to the standard REVORING, H&Y’s Kickstarter campaign includes another brand new REVORING which combines the REVORING’s adapter technology with the brand’s market-leading Variable Neutral Density & Circular Polariser combination filter. This heady combination creates a truly unique and complete product for image-makers everywhere.

Completely eradicating the need to invest in multiple filters for each lens or multiple step rings to adapt existing filters, the REVORING Variable ND + Circular Polariser combination system will adapt to fit a wide range of lenses, improving handling and boosting workflow speed to the next level.

H&Y’s REVORING Variable ND + Circular Polariser combination will quickly become an essential tool for shooting both moving and still images, giving a wealth of dynamic range to the user’s fingertips with the added bonus of a high-quality H&Y Circular Polariser onboard.

Kenny Leung, CEO of H&Y, said: “Almost 3 years of research and development, along with field testing, have been applied to bringing the REVORING that much closer to reality. The manufacturing process ensures that the materials used match the quality that their customers come to expect from H&Y. We are confident that image-makers across the globe will fall in love with this new concept and the REVORING systems will quickly become an indispensable partner for many photographers and filmmakers.”

The REVORING’s variable neutral density offers an incredible dynamic range of ND3 to ND1000, which equates to a minimum of 1.5, through to 10 stops of light control. However, due to the vast range, the stops achieved will vary based on different focal length. Full details can be found on the H&Y website, and also in the product guide, which will be included with every REVORING.

Japanese Nitto polarising film has been applied to produce the Circular Polariser section of the filter, which offers up to a near-comprehensive 99.9% polarising efficiency.

Market Leading Quality Meets World-Class Innovation

Key to the REVORING’s unique design is in the innovative, retractable & variable diaphragm. This precision-engineered feature allows the REVORING to make 1 filter applicable to multiple lenses, and with the potential for an expansive 4 size options, filter thread sizes from 37mm through to 95mm are all covered.

The REVORING has been manufactured entirely from architectural building-grade 6063 aluminum, making it incredibly strong and lightweight. Finished in a matte black anodised coating, further protecting it from adverse weather conditions, the REVORING is truly a ‘go-anywhere’ solution that will serve for years to come.

Anti-Fingerprint & Waterproof Nano-Coating Technology has been applied to the REVORING to preserve the glass from the unpredictable factors that all photographers and filmmakers face when shooting outdoors. The coating helps with beading and any excess droplets can be easily removed with a lens cloth without the fear of eliminating any of the coatings and without leaving stubborn smears on the glass.

The German Schott B270® glass also includes Anti-Reflective coating, which virtually eliminates all flare and reflections from the front and rear surfaces. This helps visible light to pass through the glass by removing unwanted reflections, giving the user the best possible light transmission, (up to 97%) optimizing images for the sharpest possible outcome. Whether shooting at 16mm or 400mm, the glass and coatings used in the REVORING produce sharp images, even at 10 stop exposures.

The H&Y REVORING Kickstarter Campaign

A number of additional features have been confirmed ahead of the campaign launch and will be included in the final product. These include:

A HARD stop at the MAX point shown on the filter ring, restricting the movement of the VND filter beyond the maximum 10 stops (ND1000).
An additional guide, fitted to the VND frame filter, meaning you can control the VND and CPL positions more easily.
New laser markings will be introduced to the outer edge of the VND ring. These new markings will be calculated and applied based on the maximum focal distance before any crossfade appears, helping image makers set up their shot more efficiently. There will be a live chart on the H&Y website offering guidance with a variety of lenses and sensors.

Campaign Pledge Levels

37mm – 49mm REVORING: Accommodating 52mm filters
46mm – 62mm REVORING: Accommodating 67mm filters
67mm – 82mm REVORING: Accommodating 82mm filters

37mm – 49mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL
46mm – 62mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL
67mm – 82mm REVORING Variable Neutral Density ND3-1000 + CPL

PLEASE NOTE: A further size of 82mm – 95mm for REVORING and Variable Neutral Density + CPL combination will unlock as a stretch goal as the campaign progresses and reaches a specific level of backing.

Pricing and availability

The H&Y REVORING Kickstarter campaign will begin on June 29th 2020 at 2pm GMT and 9am EST, 9pm HK time and will run for 40 days until August 8th 2020.

Standard REVORING will retail between USD $ 35 – USD $ 45
REVORING Variable Neutral Density + Circular Polariser combination will retail between USD $ 184 – USD $ 239.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

STC launches its over-sensor clip-in filters for Canon EOS R

19 Jun

Filter manufacturer STC Optics has announced its behind-the-lens filter system is now available for Canon’s EOS R bodies. The filters, which clip directly in front of the sensor inside the camera body, include a range of neutral density strengths, an IR cut and a version designed to cut light pollution for astrophotographers. The system has been available for EOS DSLR users for some time, as well as for a wide array of camera brands and models, but this is the first time the filters have been made for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless system.

STC says the benefits of mounting filters behind the lens include reduced flare as well as keeping the filter clean. Having these filters behind the lens also allows other accessories, or filters, to be attached to the front of the lens. Users also don’t need to keep a range of sizes or adapter rings to fit the thread of each lens, as the same filter fits over the sensor no matter what lens is on the camera. Having the filter in place also provides a degree of protection to the surface of the sensor.

STC Optics says the Astro NS filter reduces the orange glow of light pollution in night-sky photography making stars easier to see

The STC Clip Filters for Canon EOS R Mirrorless cameras are available now with prices from $ 90 / £93. For more information visit the STC Optics website.

Press release

STC Announce Brand New Interchangeable Clip Filter for Canon EOS R Mirrorless Cameras

STC continues to break the mould with imaging innovation with the announcement of the groundbreaking Interchangeable for Canon’s popular EOS R mirrorless cameras. An evolution of STC’s top-quality clip filter series, the Interchangeable Clip Filter for the Canon EOS R takes the product’s simple use and value for money to an entirely new level.

STC expands its range of innovative imaging products with the arrival of the new Interchangeable Clip Filters – for Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras.

As STC continues to produce ground-breaking products for photographers and videographers, the brand’s latest product has been designed specifically for Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras. Drop-in and clip filters are most commonplace in the motion picture industry and since STC launched their range of clip filters for consumer cameras, many users across the globe have been reaping the benefits of the ‘one filter, any lens’ message.

The same quality construction, high-quality glass and market-leading nanocoatings are all common factors in the new Interchangeable Clip Filter system.

The new system, which allows users to switch filters using a handy tool, (provided) arrives as a gamechanger for image-makers keen to use the best quality filters in the most economical manner.

Users familiar with STC’s clip filters will know that mounting and removal is fast and simple and safe. Designed to sit in the camera mount, between the lens and sensor, the new interchangeable clip filters, which are constructed with Aerospace grade 6061 aluminium alloy and processed with precision CNC machining, will sit completely flush within the camera with no chance of touching the sensor. Compatible with the Canon EOS R, Ra and RP, every filter comes complete with double-sided NANO anti-smudge coating, making them completely waterproof, grease-proof and easy to clean.

The new STC Interchangeable Clip Filter’s patented design keeps the glass completely fixed and steady within the frame, meaning zero distortion from pressure, thermal expansion or contraction. This ensures sharp images even at long focal lengths.

Ultimate Versatility

All STC Clip Filters can be combined with the brand’s traditional circular filters to give photographers and videographers an extensive palette of artistic and practical possibilities.

William Wu, CEO and Lead Design Engineer, STC, said: “The team at STC has been working tirelessly to produce this new type of clip filter. Building on the ‘one filter – any lens’ message, known by so many photographers and videographers across the globe with our existing clip filter systems, the new interchangeable version goes even further by giving ultimate ability to expand filter types within minutes. Our market-leading glass and nano filter coating technology carry through with the new system, meaning users can expect the same imaging excellence that STC is renowned for. We will be introducing this system for a number of popular brands, so watch this space as we make further announcements.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

DPReview TV: Do you still need camera filters for digital photography?

13 Jun

Are camera filters obsolete in the age of digital photography? Can’t we just Photoshop images? Not so fast! We take a look at four filters you still need in your camera bag.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

Introduction
Polarizers
Neutral density (ND) filters
UV filters
Graduated neutral density filters
Wrap-up

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized