This was legitimately the best explanation of how ND filters work. I feel like most channels that discuss this topic only ever go so far as to say something along the lines of “bro, you need an ND filter” without touching on the nuances that can separate which one to get... as well as the situations in which they would be applied.
Thank you for saying that, Clifton! When I teach filmmaking workshops, I get the sense most people haven't used NDs, so there's a lot of confusion about why they're needed, and which ones to buy. I was hoping to solve some of that with this video.
I've wondered if there is a slightly different way to figure out what ND filter to use: 1. Set your camera to manual mode 2. Enter your desired settings 3. Your light meter telling you how far you are over exposed is the filter to use. If it says your exposure is 6 stops over exposed, then use a 6 stop filter.
Sir, Your educational skills are impressive! And having seen hundreds of videos of filming /photo tips here on RU-vid, this is the first time I've had the feeling of suddenly having a 3D screen on my phone watching your video. Thanks! Crisp and clear 👌🏻
I am just getting into film making and cameras and this has been the clearest expaination of an ND filter that I have gotten yet! I also really apreshiate the fact you mentioned the filters you use, gives me a nice guideline which I am very greatful for
Maybe that's a common knowledge, but no one ever explained how to count stops and how to manipulate it properly on the camera. You are the best I have ever seen. Good stuff!
Moruanyi Ntsimane: Same here, mate! I had two windows open on my PC [this video, and Amazon], and was about to order a VERY EXPENSIVE nd & cpl combination filter before this video saved me 😉🎊🎉🎈. I decided to go with a kit combination instead (8stop, 64stop, and a CPL), and I bought a 10stop separately, and still all together they were waaaaaay less than what I was about to spend for 1. Isn't RU-vid and this RU-vidr great!!!
I can't thank you enough! Your video is succinct and abundantly informative. So far NO ONE has met that bar! I have burned through far too much time to arrive at an abysmally persistent lack of clarity. SUBSCRIBED! 😆
03:47 Determining which ND Filter to use is what I have been looking for, for quite a while. Thank you Griffin for making this easy to understand. With a quick test I kept coming up with a 5 to 6 stop ND Filter requirement for my Leica 10-25 on my G9 at F1.7, 200 ISO, and pretty much the highest shutter speeds required for a very Sunny afternoon. Interesting new learning curve results for my first try, but I think I understand how to find what ND filters I need; and it sounds like a 5+ stop variable ND Filter is where I will be landing eventually. Bummer that I will have to obstruct light coming into the lens for any reason for Ocean landscape photography and video in Summertime.
Well done Griffin! Best understanding and explanation of how an ND Filter works I've watched!! You helped take the guesswork and made it easy math. Nice to see you startup Indy Mogul again. Thx 🍻
Griffin, you have produced the best evidence and clear conclusions regarding the useful strengths of ND for large sensor video. Thanks for helping save people from needlessly buying useless ND filters and repeating experiments that you've already settled.
My first camera a Sony NXCam came with inbuilt ND filters and the smarts to indicate which ND level to switch on, ND 1, 2 or 3 when shooting in bright conditions. It taught me the value of ND filters. So straightaway I bought a variable ND, for my GH5. Make sure you buy one with its own lens cap!
Griffin, great video! I have been using ND filters for about a year. I originally bought a really cheap 3-pack online...didn't want to spend too much $ on something that I might not use very often. Ironically enough, I use them all of the time. I'm so glad I found this video. What a great explanation/education. I'll be upgrading to the Hoya filter you recommend. Thank you for the testing/results, and recommendation.
You did a better job explaining this than most of the guys that work at camera stores I've been to. So simple. I think I might get fixed filters instead of a variable. Not sure if you agree, but I mostly shoot on my kit lens (with a diameter of 58mm & my Canon 50mm STM with a 49). I personally love using my prime lens since it's my highest quality lens right now. A mix of Photography & Filmmaking.
very informative video! and you have skill to explain in a very clean way Mr. Griffin. Big fan of yours. one day i would like meet you in person. Big love from India!
Great video and tutorial. I just started my photography course and this helped a lot :) keep it up. Looking forward to dive in into other video's of yours!
Thank you for taking the time! I'm a complete beginer at this filter business and this was the most practically informative piece on the subject that I found ! I do have one question - which you may already be covering in another video (?) in order to control the image when filming indoors, under standard lighting intensity - would you say that aND2 filter is a good idea ? as an ND8 seems like it may be a bit much to overcome with lighting? Thanks in advance for your reply if you get this, otherwise, may this just be to say thanks ;)
Thanks for the video. Trying to decide on a filter for an f2 22mm lens and deciding how many stops I'll need. I live in the southwest aka basically desert haha
I can't change the lens aperture on DJI Osmo Action Camera; therefore, it's a must to have these ND filters on a bright and sunny day. Thanks for the information. :)
Get to know the calculations, know your powers of 2, logs, exponents and roots. To get the the needed optical density (0.9, 1.8, 3.0), take the number of stops you need to adjust and multiply by the log of 2 and get the closest to that number. d=n×log(2) eg. Need to adjust by 3 stops? d=3×log (2)≈0.903 round to 0.9. 5 stops? d=5×log(2)≈1.505. If you want to approximate it based on your iris values, use d=2×log(a÷b), where a is the f/stop for correct exposure and b is the f/stop you will use. eg. d=2×log(4÷1.4)≈0.912. This works better if you know the precise iris value in √2^n.
Hey! Found your channel quite by accident an was so impressed with the ease of your explanations, accompanied by visual demos, that I'm subscribing right off! Thanks for the great work! Looking forward to learning more!
Man, you have no idea how tickled I am to find a filmography-type channel that uses 30fps. Good LORD, I am SO tired of seeing 24. THANK YOU. The only way it could be better is if you break the 180-degree bullcrap and use a 1/40th or 1/50th shutter speed to add back a bit of missing motion blur from 24. Another upside to 1/50th, specifically, is that it will allow you to film in PAL with no flicker.
Wow, really good info here. Thanks for sharing! I'm about to buy ND filters, but I'm hesitating between a set of solid ND (3 and 6 stop) or just one VND. In your experience with solid ND, you usually change the filters many times during the shooting videos? Kind regards
The best video on how to choose the right ND filter I have ever watched! Actually I am deciding what ND filter solution I should by, variable or not, and I think I would buy a ND 8-64-1000 package considering that I have a 18-105 F4 lens, though I find the ND8 pretty much never needed because it's too bright.
Great video! So it comes down to testing to determine which filter density to use? I have some filters coming for my gopro and determining which to use is confusing me some; there will be 8, 16 and 32 which I believe as the standards for this.
Really informative for a beginner learner like me! Question, please: In videography how does shutter speed come into existence? Since we are shooting continuous video, and shutter is always open..right? I saw 1/60s in your setting, hence this question.
I ordered this hoya filter for 39$ (wich is very reasonable) after watching both of of your reviews. The things is, I could only find 3 stop filters in the link on discription and purchased it but I also wanted 6 stop as well but it's not available
