What is Neutral Density (ND)?

November 9th, 2009 | by admin |

This video explains into the basics about using Neutral Density (as known as “ND”) lens filters for camera lenses and video camcorders. Enjoy!

Music: I still haven’t found what I’m looking for by U2 // Exit by U2

Duration : 0:7:20


[youtube w1f2prDLVV0]

  1. 25 Responses to “What is Neutral Density (ND)?”

  2. By TrueWarheart on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    This is a great …
    This is a great video sir, lots of effort put into it. Great fun to watch and very infomative. Thumbs up.

  3. By adyks on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    simple and …
    simple and straightforward for everyone.
    LOVE THE VIDEO
    LOVE THE MUSIC

  4. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Not very much …
    Not very much people ask for ND recommendations, I always recommend them B+W ND 0.9X (3 stops) or 1.8X (6 stops, for very fast prime lenses).

    I made this video last year, I think Hoya ND8X, way before B+W filters came out.

  5. By BeVisionaries on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Hi, may I know …
    Hi, may I know which ND filter you most commonly use, in terms of amount of light blocked?. Ie, which one is most useful and versatile: ND2 ND4 ND8. . . . ? Thanks, and kind regards, may I also know which filter [ND2, ND4. . . .] you used at 4:00 ? cheers!

  6. By aforjaz on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    thanks for the …
    thanks for the advice.

    The videos are awesome and have been really helpful. Thanks

  7. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    It’s quite a nice …
    It’s quite a nice all-in-one ND filter for a good price but the quality of the filter is below poor. It’s normal quality for all-in-one’s. A set of 3-4 B+W filters will deliver your needs without any quality change.

  8. By aforjaz on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    What’s your view on …
    What’s your view on the Singh-Ray Vari-ND?

  9. By sphiney on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    For a general use …
    For a general use ND filter, what can you recommend in terms of thickness?

  10. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Long story short …
    Long story short for you, when they first invented gradient ND filters, they accidentally called it graduated instead of gradient. Too late to change the name. Graduated is like you just finished high school or college. Gradient is where two colors are being combined together (White > light grey > grey > dark grey > black). So, yeah, “graduated” and “gradient” means the same. :)

    You could use Circular Polarizer to darken the sky but doesn’t work on cloudy sky.

  11. By realvipul on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    yep i got it after …
    yep i got it after seeing your video. initially i couldn’t see it beos my internet has slowed down.
    You say gradient filter? is that the same as graduated filter? may be here in australia we call it graduated filter? anyway i want to use this filter in sky-land photography where sky is so bright and the foregraound is dim.

  12. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Were you looking at …
    Were you looking at the wrong side of the filter? :)

    The 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED-IF DX have a ∞52mm filter thread on the front, you would need a gradient ND filter that is in 52mm size. Some filters do not have an additional thread on the front (”thin” version to reduce vignetting for wide angle lenses), most filters have additional thread on the front. B+W have the biggest section of gradient ND filters so check it out.

  13. By realvipul on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    ok i got it after …
    ok i got it after watching it !!! thanks…my internet is so slow(quata is over for november)

  14. By realvipul on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    i have a nikon d60 …
    i have a nikon d60 with a standard lens that comes with a kit ie AF-s 18-55mm. i like to buy a graduated fiter for landscape photography. but im confused how i can attach the filter on to my lens. the lens has threads only on the inner surface ie the the outside surface of the front of the lens has no threads but inside surface has. so im confused. secondly i don’t know the diameter too. pls somebody help!

  15. By donnaschang on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    k thanks :)
    k thanks :)

  16. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    ND 2X on the VX2100 …
    ND 2X on the VX2100 is rarely used, it’s useful if you’re shooting in the front of the sun or for special effects (like water ripples). ND 1X is used often when shooting outdoors. Don’t use ND when you’re indoors, obviously. :)

  17. By marshallchang on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    kind of off topic …
    kind of off topic but i know you have a vx2100, so i was wondering for what and when the two nd filter options should be used. I kinda just got my vx2100 two days ago, and have been testing out all its features.

  18. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Yes, the 55mm …
    Yes, the 55mm filters are compatible with your Sony DT 18-70mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens.

    When you buy lenses, be sure to find out the diameter size for filters (55mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm… etc). For example, your new lens have a 77mm filter thread – that means you will need a 77mm filters.

    Very easy to remember. :)

  19. By jackaltwothree on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Hi again Joseph, …
    Hi again Joseph, when buying an ND filter (or any lens filter for that matter) does one need to worry about compatibility beyond the thread diameter? I ask because I would like to buy a set of lens filter for a beginner. Maybe UV, polarizing , and ND. I see some good deals on auction sites for B+W 55mm F-Pro lens filters. Will this lens filter be compatible with a Sony A100 and DT 17-80mm lens?

  20. By fanzFZ50 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    keep up the good …
    keep up the good work Joseph

  21. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Don’t you worry …
    Don’t you worry about that, welcome to the photography world. You still can watch this channel to learn something that is very similar to your Sony Alpha A100 (manual exposure, how to use your flash, etc. etc.).

    Just to let you know, I’m not a Sony user myself so I cannot be very much of a help if something goes wrong with your A100 or got questions about it. :)

  22. By jackaltwothree on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Oops after browsing …
    Oops after browsing through the rest of your videos I realized that this YouTube channel is very Nikon-centric. Apologies for bringing up the another manufacturer. I just wanted to give you a sense what I used. Looking forward to more great videos from you. :-)

  23. By jackaltwothree on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    I am a first time …
    I am a first time digital SLR user with a Sony A100 and kit lens. I am learning so much from your videos. Thanks!

  24. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    I’m not sure what ” …
    I’m not sure what “bluetack” means but you would have to keep filters of any kind inside the lens hood. For some situation where bright light subject can hit your filter, you would need a longer lens hood from some kind of cardboard paper.

    There are a plenty of camera body cleaning videos on my YouTube channel so please look around. Filter / lens cleaning? Maybe…

  25. By poppedabicep on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Another great video …
    Another great video. What’s the best way to use graduated filters avoiding lens flare. Can I bluetack the filter to the lens hood? A video on best techniques for cleaning the camera and lenses would be appreciated if you ever decided to make one.

  26. By Lilkiwiguy87 on Nov 9, 2009 | Reply

    Welcome. :)
    Welcome. :)

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