ND Filters

toejam · Sep 15, 2024

The more I shoot film the more I run into drastically different light scenarios while using the same roll of film. If I used Delta 3200 to capture shots inside could I then use a 3-stop ND filter for shooting scenes outside on a sunny day and not change rolls? I’m trying to understand ways to use a full roll more effectively than shoot a few scenes I don’t actually want so I can change to a better suited ISO.

cliveh · Sep 15, 2024

Why not use a much slower ISO film to make your outdoor shots less grainy? And use a slower shutter speed with a wider aperture for your indoor shots? Unless you are photographing black cats in a coal shed, why do you need 3200 ISO?

MattKing · Sep 15, 2024

Yes - but Delta 3200 offers very different contrast behavior and low light and highlight response than most 400 ISO films.
I would be much more likely to recommend using ND filters for this purpose if you were dealing with the differences between 100 ISO and 400 ISO films.

laser · Sep 15, 2024

I just "bumped" a 1.0 ND filter this is 3 1/3 stops 1.0/.3= 3.3333 stops.

laser · Sep 15, 2024

It is listed in Photrio classifieds.

Pieter12 · Sep 15, 2024

First, Delta 3200 is really better rated 1600. Second, unless you are shooting a rangefinder camera, that ND filter is going to give you a pretty dim viewfinder for focusing and composing. And of course if you are shooting 35mm, the grain is going to be pretty prominent.

xkaes · Sep 15, 2024

I do this all the time with fast film -- when I only can use one film that has to capture sunlight to dark scenes. I simply use a fast film with an ND filter for bright scenes. Although, as mentioned, an ND filter does make an SLR viewfinder darker, since you are only using it in bright situations, it's not a big problem -- that depends on the ND filter and lens, of course. If you are using a 50mm f1.4 lens with a 3-stop ND filter, you're looking through an f4 lens. That's not bad. I have lots of f4 lenses -- even some f8 teles!

As mentioned, this is easier with a viewfinder/rangefinder camera.

DREW WILEY · Sep 15, 2024

If you read the spec sheet, D3200 is actually a 1000 speed film, but can deliver acceptable results at 3200. I'm after optimal results instead, so always shoot it at 800 for sake of PMK pyro development. I don't like using it for high contrast scenes, though have done it once in awhile. It's more a rainy day spontaneous shot film for a camera tucked under my parka.

You never know the real neutral density of any ND filter, regardless of how it's labeled and sold, unless you measure it using a densitometer or precisely calibrated light meter. They can be off.

toejam · Sep 16, 2024

cliveh said:
Why not use a much slower ISO film to make your outdoor shots less grainy? And use a slower shutter speed with a wider aperture for your indoor shots? Unless you are photographing black cats in a coal shed, why do you need 3200 ISO?

I like the grain of 3200 and I have a black cat.

toejam · Sep 16, 2024

Pieter12 said:
First, Delta 3200 is really better rated 1600. Second, unless you are shooting a rangefinder camera, that ND filter is going to give you a pretty dim viewfinder for focusing and composing. And of course if you are shooting 35mm, the grain is going to be pretty prominent.

I’ve shot dozens of 3200 at a million different speeds and I love the film stock when it’s processed with DD-X. I use a range finder and a tlr so the filter won’t bother me in either situation. Just wanted a double check that my logic was logicing lol. Always appreciate this community for that.

toejam · Sep 16, 2024

xkaes said:
I do this all the time with fast film -- when I only can use one film that has to capture sunlight to dark scenes. I simply use a fast film with an ND filter for bright scenes. Although, as mentioned, an ND filter does make an SLR viewfinder darker, since you are only using it in bright situations, it's not a big problem -- that depends on the ND filter and lens, of course. If you are using a 50mm f1.4 lens with a 3-stop ND filter, you're looking through an f4 lens. That's not bad. I have lots of f4 lenses -- even some f8 teles!

As mentioned, this is easier with a viewfinder/rangefinder camera.

Glad to come across someone that’s doing the same thing Im thinking of. I use a rangefinder and tlr so no problems for either camera. Thanks for confirming my thoughts!

swchris · Sep 16, 2024

toejam said:
I like the grain of 3200 and I have a black cat.

DanyB · Sep 17, 2024

The idea to lower iso speed with ND filter is brilliant, the only problem would be to have too much grain in some cases…

loccdor · Sep 17, 2024

To answer the original question, yes, but -

When I was starting out with film I was a little afraid to go out with low ISO material as I feared it would result in missed shots. But it turns out I "missed" more shots by having a bunch of rolls that would have looked better at lower grain.

As a different approach I'd recommend going out with a compact tripod/monopod. You can rely on that even in situations where Delta 3200 will not have enough sensitivity as long as your subjects don't move.

toejam · Sep 17, 2024

DanyB said:
The idea to lower iso speed with ND filter is brilliant, the only problem would be to have too much grain in some cases…

Are there other reasons for grainy images other than the film stock?

toejam · Sep 17, 2024

loccdor said:
To answer the original question, yes, but -

When I was starting out with film I was a little afraid to go out with low ISO material as I feared it would result in missed shots. But it turns out I "missed" more shots by having a bunch of rolls that would have looked better at lower grain.

As a different approach I'd recommend going out with a compact tripod/monopod. You can rely on that even in situations where Delta 3200 will not have enough sensitivity as long as your subjects don't move.

I think I need to consider this also. Lower iso makes me nervous to shoot color film and I’m not always a fan of what it looks like when pushed.

Pieter12 · Sep 17, 2024

toejam said:
Are there other reasons for grainy images other than the film stock?

Developer, whether the film has been pushed, type of enlarger used (condenser, point-source light).

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