What filter do I need for long exposures in daylight?
Asked 8/18/2010
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I want to shoot long exposures during the day, but my images become overexposed unless the shutter speed is very short. Even at night, exposures longer than a few seconds can be too bright in some situations. What type of filter is typically used to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor so I can use slower shutter speeds? Are there good options for both daytime and nighttime long-exposure photography?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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You're looking for ND (as in Neutral Density) filter. They're usually marked as ND2, ND4, ND8, ..., each step indicating 1-stop change in your exposure settings. For example if you were shooting at f/2,8, 1/100, ISO100 then adding ND2 filter will give you options to shoot either at f/2,0, 1/100, ISO100 or f/2,8, 1/50, ISO100.
Most of recognized filter manufacturers have ND filters in their lineup, including Hoya, B+W, Singh Ray, Lee, Cokin.
Should you already own a polarizing filter you might use it to get rid of 1-2 steps of light or even combine it with the second polarizer to create a variable density ND filter.
Originally by user75. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use a neutral density (ND) filter. ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens without changing color, letting you use slower shutter speeds for long exposures in daylight.
They’re commonly labeled ND2, ND4, ND8, etc., with each step representing about 1 stop less light. For example, adding an ND filter lets you keep the same aperture and ISO while lengthening the shutter speed.
A circular polarizer can also help, usually reducing light by about 2 stops, and it has the added benefit of reducing reflections and glare from water, glass, and other shiny surfaces. If you already have one, it may be enough for some situations.
For stronger light reduction, photographers often use dedicated ND filters; for milder reduction, a polarizer may be useful. Some people also combine polarizers to create a variable-ND effect.
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