Can you use ND or graduated ND filters on a wide-angle lens?
Asked 5/31/2016
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I’m considering a wide-angle lens such as the Nikon 16-35mm f/4 for landscapes, and I’d like to use filters for long exposures in bright conditions. I saw a claim that using an ND or graduated ND filter below 35mm can cause a dark line or black “X” in the image. Is that true? Are ND and graduated ND filters suitable for wide-angle lenses, and if so, what problems should I watch for?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
13
The advice you read is an example of the phrase, "A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing."
There are filters known as Variable ND filters that are basically two polarizer filters stacked on top of each other. As the axis of polarization is altered between the two polarizer filters the total amount of light allowed through will vary. If an ND filter is based on filtering polarized light then you do run the risk of those infamous black Xs.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a graduated ND filter, though, that uses a polarizing filter to reduce the amount of light allowed to pass through. Assuming you can fit such a non-polarized filter to your lens without causing vignetting or physical contact between the filter and the middle of the front lens element (which can be rather bulbous on some wide angle lenses) you should be fine.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—standard ND and graduated ND filters can be used with wide-angle lenses. The warning you saw is not generally true for all ND filters.
The main exception is variable ND filters, which are typically made from two polarizers. On wide-angle lenses, these can produce uneven darkening, a dark line, or a black “X,” especially at stronger settings. Polarizers can also look uneven across a wide sky with very wide lenses.
With regular solid ND or graduated ND filters, the bigger concern is usually physical compatibility: on very wide lenses, the filter or holder can vignette if it isn’t large enough or if the lens has a protruding front element. Some ultra-wide lenses are especially difficult to use with normal front-mounted filters.
So for landscapes and long exposures on a wide-angle lens:
- regular solid ND filters: generally fine
- graduated ND filters: generally fine if the filter system is large enough
- variable ND filters: more likely to cause artifacts on wide angles
- polarizers: usable, but may give uneven sky darkening on very wide views
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