Probably noted here already, but High speed sync really eats your battery power, so you'll get a lot more shooting with the ND filter - worth bearing in mind. Great tutorial - as always !
Hi speed eat 1/8, ND eat 1/4, which is much power consumption. It is the game between high speed sync technology with solid unchanged ND. High speed win.
@@huyongquan6554 High Speed Sync generally robs you of a good bit more flash power than ND filters. That's just fact. ND's don't rob you of power. You just need more power the greater the strength of the ND filter but it doesn't rob you of any flash power out the gate.
Perfect timing. Just used a variable ND filter for the first time to take sunset portraits at a sunflower field using off camera flash. Was pleasantly surprised 🙏
I never even knew about using an ND filter with flash until recently, so this was quite an informatiive video. I've been practicing more with HSS, & find it quite versatile. With that said, there's always other uses for the ND, so I think I'll pick one up in the near future & play around with it, too. Thanks!
Thank you for proving HHS is a convenience not a necessity. Thanks to RU-vid many photographers don't realize you can actually take pictures outdoors with flash and having them turn out beautiful.
Thanks Kenneth. If nothing else this proved to me that once the photography is done, the resulting images looked great whichever route you take... So I'm going to stick to the convenience route 😉
Gavin, thank you so much for yet another great video and toturial. From your closing line, you said that using a mirrorless camera made it easy to use the ND filter because of the intelligent EVF. This means that using the filter with a DSLR will not be so easy as it will be hard to focus and even compose. So as a DSLR user I think HSS Flash is the answer for me.
I use a nikon d610 dslr and it works perfectly. I use a variable nd filter. Twist to let in light and focus, then twist to darken and take my shot. No issues what so ever, especially if you don't have an HSS setup available.
While there is some issue with needing increased power with HSS, given the capabilities of the XPlor 400, there is ample power to accomplish the task. One of the things I really admire about Gavin's work is that he provides a humble low cost solution without showing Profoto flash units, 75 different Profoto branded modifiers, and the latest and greatest Sekonic light meter. I have been watching Gavin's videos for the past 8 years and I keep learning more and more with every time I go back and watch something again. I think the take home message with the TCM feature is that once you dial in the necessary power level, you can lock in the settings rather than relying on any variations as a result of HSS. In an auto mode, HSS can vary between shots and the end-result can be uneven. The ND filters are fascinating to me as it basically becomes a scrim on the lens. There is a need for increased flash power there too to a degree. One thing that really helps the situation with ND filters is that both the Sekonic 478 and 858 have a built in compensation for ND filters. On the other hand, I liked Gavin's explanation of using the meter and adjusting for 5 stops to compensate for the ND filter.
Thanks Gavin! Excellent break down of the processes. May be a good idea to cover the disadvantages of HSS such as limited distance due to power consumption as well as flash overheating issues with multiple shots. The ND filter would not make the flash overheat as much and you will have a longer distance if necessary for the flash to reach. Thanks again.
I really enjoy your videos. They are easy to follow and understand. I tend to want to watch your's much more than other Adorama videos. (no offense to the others but it's true) Thanks for what you do.
I’m glad to see more people talking about ND filters. One of my favorite ways to shoot is full sun using my ND 16 (4 stop) filter and 38 or 45 degree hard light reflectors.
Thanks Gavin. You solved my biggest problem. I can't afford a light metre. I use a godox xpro and your ittl to manual technique saved my day. Thanks again.
Thank you! Now I have a much better understanding of HSS and I look forward to practicing it. Love your videos - fun and educational! Most importantly, to the point.
Great video explaining on how to use ND filters & HSS. Other than saving on the life of your batteries. Are there any other advantages on one over the other? Explaining the use of the TCM button a plus as well.
This was an excellent and informative video. I also liked the setting for the photo shoot and the model's costume. Seeing those was also educational. Gavin's enthusiasm is always fun and inspirational. I really appreciate Adorama sponsoring such great videos.
Great results from both the ND filters and HSS. If a small reduction in contrast is the only difference you can see, then that would suggest that you are using insanely expensive ND filters. For many years, Ive been using Hoya ND filters which are considered quite good in terms of quality but obviously not top of the range or super expensive. Generally, Ive been very happy with them for slow shutter speeds of rushing water and for video work. Though recently, I tried something Ive never done before. I photographed the same scene with and without a Hoya 3 stop ND filter. And I was quite alarmed by the differences. The photos taken without the filter came out so much nicer and the ones with the filter had a weird, unpleasant look about them. Previously, I was strongly considering using ND filters for outdoor portraits with flash (being on a small budget) but now I'm not so sure after seeing my own comparison photos.
Great video Mr. Gavin Hoey its great to see side by side what one can get with either ND Filters Or High Sync Speed! Thanks ADORAMA for having this great and informative videos on your channel.
Very nice B roll makes this an easy to follow educational video. I'd love a follow up discussing ND color cast, editing, and gelling the flash based on time of day.
Never tried actually ND filters in location when taking portraits :) - need to try just to compare myself. Thanks for great videos, helps with my work :)
@@GavinHoey Same here! (Well I think it's branded Godox here in Canada) It's affordable, reliable and like you said, the performance is reliable. I appreciate this. :)
