Solid ND filters with slide film?

rayonline_nz · Jul 2, 2014

Have anyone shot solid ND filters with slide film before? I have used solid ND filters before but anything like a 6 stop density tended to give some color casts. My B+W 106 6 stop a was less than my Hitech 4 stop but both were visible the latter very you won't miss it. Since I like to see my slides on a lightbox, it is a bummer. Any advice? For landscape photography - reflections on lakes etc, yes I know that a landscape guy should wait and wait it out for better conditions but with travel you only have so much time allocated.

Eg - this was E100G film with and without the Hitech 4 stop.
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6145/5939140700_93df507b11_o_d.jpg

Cheers.

AgX · Jul 2, 2014

At a sunset colours could change even during changing filters.

Have you considered reciprocity effects?

What hue gave that B&W 106 filter?

rayonline_nz · Jul 2, 2014

AgX said:
At a sunset colours could change even during changing filters.

Have you considered reciprocity effects?

What hue gave that B&W 106 filter?

The shutter speed wasn't that long to warranty reprocity.
The B+W gave a yellow brownish cast.

AgX · Jul 2, 2014

The 106 has a near flat transmission curve, but a kind of step in the red region of about 1/4 stop.

You might try a CC Cyan to get neutrals.

Poisson Du Jour · Jul 2, 2014

These photos are not so much about waiting around for the light to be 'just so', but more of metering correctly and, resisting this ND filter stuff. The unnecessary 6-stop ND filter has effectively introduced reciprocity: you are using slide film in low light, and it will literally tumble off the edge when using solid filters it doesn't take much at all to bugger an image. Additional exposure of more than one stop needs to be introduced, even then it might not be enough (hence bracketing). I would suggest throwing ND filters away (I have not used any of them since the 1980s) and skilling up with spot metering for scenes like this. When travelling, it is critical to invest in skills and experience so that you can pull off a wunderkind whatever the circumstances.

Nelson Bay tidal flats, New Zealand
EOS1N, spot metered, Velvia 50 at EI40, no filters.

rayonline_nz · Jul 4, 2014

Poisson Du Jour said:
These photos are not so much about waiting around for the light to be 'just so', but more of metering correctly and, resisting this ND filter stuff. The unnecessary 6-stop ND filter has effectively introduced reciprocity: you are using slide film in low light, and it will literally tumble off the edge when using solid filters — it doesn't take much at all to bugger an image. Additional exposure of more than one stop needs to be introduced, even then it might not be enough (hence bracketing). I would suggest throwing ND filters away (I have not used any of them since the 1980s) and skilling up with spot metering for scenes like this. When travelling, it is critical to invest in skills and experience so that you can pull off a wunderkind whatever the circumstances.

• Nelson Bay tidal flats, New Zealand
EOS1N, spot metered, Velvia 50 at EI40, no filters.

View attachment 90526

Re: giving up the idea of ND yeah ... it does become easier without them.

The Hitech 4 stop I couldn't get it to work on slide film could be fixed some what with a hybrid approach I suppose but I rather get the slides right. The B+W 6 stop - yes I have been spot metering it and without the filter and my 6 stop filter does need 1 stop more or 1.3 stops. It seems a lot easier to just F22 the lens on 35mm format or more with a larger format which I am considering at the moment and use 50 speed film, maybe employ a 2 stop ND and or a CPOL at most.

Solid ND filters with slide film?

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AgX

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AgX

Poisson Du Jour

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