Is there a 95mm NDX400-style filter for photographing the sun?

Asked 12/22/2011

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I found a lens with a 95mm filter thread and want to photograph the sun. I was looking for a Hoya NDX400 or equivalent, but I can’t find one in 95mm. Are there alternatives that work for this size, and is an ND filter the right choice for shooting the sun safely?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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If you're not hung up on the Hoya brand name, you can get neutral density filters in 2.4, 2.7 and 3.0 log densities (8, 9 and 10 stops) in the large square formats for Lee and Cokin filter holders, which will also make them usable on your other lenses. (The links are to product list pages at B&H.)

Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user2719

14y ago

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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A 95mm screw-in NDX400 may be hard to find, but there are alternatives. Community answers suggest using large square neutral density filters in the 2.4, 2.7, or 3.0 optical density range (about 8, 9, or 10 stops) with a holder system such as Lee or Cokin, which can also be reused on other lenses.

However, for photographing the sun specifically, a proper full-aperture solar filter is the safer and better choice. Astronomy-style solar filters are designed for direct solar viewing and imaging, and one key advantage is that they are safe to look through with your eyes when used correctly. A standard photographic ND filter only reduces light; it is not necessarily intended for safe direct solar observation.

So: yes, alternatives exist, but if your goal is shooting the sun, look for a dedicated solar filter sized appropriately for the front of the lens rather than relying on a regular ND filter alone.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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