What do ND2, ND8, 0.6, and 0.9 mean on neutral density filters?

Asked 12/1/2012

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I’m shopping for a 67mm neutral density filter and see different labeling systems such as ND2, ND4, ND8, and also 0.6 or 0.9. Do these correspond to exposure stops, and how do the two systems relate to each other? Besides filter diameter and strength, what else should I pay attention to when choosing an ND filter?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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The number associated with an ND filter is actually the denominator (bottom) of a fraction.

So an ND2 filter should be thought of as 1/2 the amount of light being allowed through the filter. For example, setting the lens at f/2.8, and using an ND2 filter would make that an f/4 situation for a total of 1 stop difference.

ND4 filter is allowing 1/4 the light (which is half of ND2) thus a 2 stop difference.

Continuing, ND8 is 1/8 and three stops and, although I've never seen them, an ND16 is half as much light as ND8 so would be four stops less light.

The decimal numbers you mention (0.6, 0.9) are another system of quantifying the density of the ND filter. These numbers are the log (base 10) of the factor by which the light is reduced. (This is sometimes called the absorbance). So for example a 1 stop filter reduces the amount of light by a factor of 2, and log(2) = 0.3 so a 1 stop ND filter is ND0.3 in this system. Similarly 2 stops is 0.6 and 3 stops is 0.9. The combined effect of multiple filters is obtained by adding up the numbers. For example a 1 stop, 2 stop and 3 stop filter combined (6 stops in total) would be 0.3 + 0.6 + 0.9 = log(2^6) = log(64) = log(2) + log(4) + log(8) = ND1.8.

I would highly suggest the best quality GLASS filters you can afford. Cheaper (especially plastic) filters will tend to add nasty color effects. Although technically color casts can be corrected in post, cheap filters also can also reduce the quality of light meaning things like more chromatic aberation.

Lastly, don't worry about getting the highest ND number, I carry two filters around and stack them together, when needed, for combined affect. Which is more reason why quality filters matter as stacking simply magnifies imperfections too!

Originally by user13736. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user13736

13y ago

0

AI Answer

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

Yes. ND filter strength is commonly shown in two equivalent ways:

  • ND2, ND4, ND8, ND16: these show how much light remains. ND2 passes 1/2 the light = 1 stop. ND4 passes 1/4 = 2 stops. ND8 passes 1/8 = 3 stops. ND16 = 4 stops.
  • 0.3, 0.6, 0.9: this is another density scale. Each 0.3 equals about 1 stop. So 0.6 = 2 stops, 0.9 = 3 stops.

Quick reference:

  • 1 stop = ND2 = 0.3
  • 2 stops = ND4 = 0.6
  • 3 stops = ND8 = 0.9
  • 4 stops = ND16 = 1.2

So your guess was close, but ND2/ND4/ND8 are not the number of stops directly—they correspond to 1, 2, and 3 stops respectively.

When choosing a filter, besides diameter and strength, the main practical thing is understanding the labeling system so you get the reduction you want. Also remember that stacking ND filters increases the total reduction by adding stops.

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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