Variable ND Filters - How, Why and When to Use Them For Video and Photography

[@robertlewisvideo]

Best model you've had yet. Very appropriately animated for affect-effect. Great model. ND filters also good.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you like it! Thanks for your comment!

[@DavisInDuval]

This was awesome. I didn't need a tutorial on ND's but I watch because of how great your videos are. Also good job to the model!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Awesome, thank you! Yes, she did a great job!

[@xxxyyyxxx9]

Me too. This one was fun and lively.

[@starperformer7154]

Great model! Very entertaining, and informative video! Paced just right.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for your comment!

[@shayrealestatephotography]

Really enjoyed the humor, model and entertainment factor, in addition to the content. Great work.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PeterSzaban]

The model in this video is AWESOME!!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, she was super fun to work with.

[@dlanska]

Photography plus comedy and beauty. What 's not to like? -- Oh, and the model looked nice too. 😄 -- Actually, she was great. She greatly added to the video with her cute comedic bits paired with Mr. Morgan as the straight man. She did it so well and so naturally. Made it very entertaining to watch. And the automatic demonstration of the points being made was so well done - the educational ability of Mr. Morgan on full display. Kudos.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Wow, thanks for the nice compliments. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@5lowburner]

I subscribed, and not for the weird 70’s Magician and Assistant vibe as you might expect! The content is extraordinarily good. I watched it twice and took notes, thank you.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great to hear. Thanks for subscribing!

[@WorldMusicStageRecords]

That was fun. Excellent model. And of course informative.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it and learned some pointers as well!

[@isoawe1888]

Thanks for this. Will get my Singh Ray filter out for video. My last several cameras ( D500, D5, D6, D850 ) have been capable, but for some reason, I’ve never pushed the little red button. Now, with my Z9, I’m ready to take the plunge. Let the learning curve begin. Subscribed to your channel for help. On a side note, your sidekick has some fantastic personality 👍

[@TheSlantedLens]

That is awesome that you have the Z9. Enjoy shooting video!

[@cj_m2477]

I certainly learned a lot in this video! Thanks for making it so easy to understand and yes I’ll say too. The model was adorable and highly entertaining. Well done sir!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it and learned a lot!

[@stefanostsaklas7855]

what a great video, informative , precise , with perfect dose of humour, thank you

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment!

[@rizkisyam4781]

Love the model. ❤

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, she was great to work with!

[@aperturedojo]

I love the CPL filters.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good to hear. Thanks for sharing!

[@teacherofteachers1239]

I enjoyed this especially since I don't do enough still photography (mostly video) and I forget how useful my ND filters would be for that. I wouldn't mind seeing a follow-up someday about using ND filters with keylights or bounce cards - something I'm still learning.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great suggestion. Thanks for sharing!

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

a few yrs ago you and Kenneth posted a vid where you both stated disliking VNDs and recommended 3 stop and 9 stops ND for still photogs. Has NiSi changed your mind on VND, or only changed it for video?

[@TheSlantedLens]

I don't like 9 stop variable NDs. But I use Nisi's 3-5 stop. It is very effective. Then I use a 3 or a 6 stop underneath it if I need more.

[@sammystoll9]

Would an ND filter be beneficial for indoors?

[@TheSlantedLens]

You usually use and ND filter when there is too much light. That is usually not the case indoors, unless there are a lot of windows with bright sunlight coming in.

[@SinaFarhat]

Great presentation! :) Have a good week!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you! You have a great week as well!

[@johndougherty1232]

Thank you that was very informative

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@antoniobastos6335]

She's nice and adds colors to the talking… well, I will pay attention to the talking sometime later. By the way, I did this approach by myself a couple of years ago. If you had just posted this before, I would have not needed to think.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

Hello, thanks to share this interesting video. Allow me 2 questions please: 1) Do you prefer a good solid ND or a VND to shoot viideos in Log 4K? I mean documentaries around the world to shoot cities and people. 2) Why everybody always uses the lens hood to shoot in sunny days, then when guys use a ND filter, nobody use the lens hood anymore? I think it is a bad habit not to use a lens hood with an ND filter. Thank you.

[@TheSlantedLens]

I always prefer solid but realize when working outside that you need the ability to change quickly. So I stack a 6 stop solid with a variable and try not to get 2-3 stops with the variable so it doesn't vignette.

[@ExploringWorldYouTube]

@@TheSlantedLens Sorry but I don't understand well "and try not to get 2-3 stops with the variable so it doesn't vignette". Do you think with 4-5 stops there is no vignetting? Please, can you explain better? Thank you.

[@PhilippeOrlando]

The more I pay attention to films, the more I realize that most of the view is in focus. That's right! Except for tight dialogue scenes, anything else has everything in focus. Guaranteed. Don't take my word for it, log on into Netflix tonight and check what I'm saying. EVERYTHING IS IN FOCUS!

[@TheSlantedLens]

I suppose it depends on the film.

[@Suroky232]

Brilliant entertaining video and also very informative.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment!

[@Suroky232]

@@TheSlantedLens I was wondering if you have compared this NISI VND to the Kolaripro VND? Also can you stack a NISI mist behind or on top of this? Thanks.

[@ShameerMohammed]

Wow - For the Enthu! Subscribed :)

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for the sub! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@AbhijitBoro]

Sir, After Stacking Fixed 6 Stops ND, Will I Be Able To Get Like 7,8,9,10,11 Stops By Adjusting 1-5 Stops VND ??? Please Reply

[@TheSlantedLens]

I use a 6 stop fixed on the camera and then a 1to 5 variable. I can get up to 9 comfortable. and maybe 10. If you need more than that use a 6 and 3 fixed then the variable. It is getting a bit crazy. Good Luck.

[@AbhijitBoro]

@@TheSlantedLens Sir, I Have Bought The Nisi True Color 1-5 Stops And Nisi 3 Stop ND And Stacked It Together.... Will Soon Buy ND64 + CPL Filter As It's Out Of Stock For Now....

[@tw9535]

You have made so many great videos over the years, but this one is right near the top. Perfect!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate the compliment!

[@StMedia-ck4eq]

She was amazing. Made me laugh with ever gig lol

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, she did a great job. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HanieBCreations]

you're the BEST!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@Rohambili]

Looks like you forget to mention, you can use a good Variable ND filter in flash photography... when you dont have hss flash thingy things...

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, that is true. The ND filter is great if you can't do High Speed Sync!

[@carlosandreviana9448]

Because hss uses much more flash power

[@skyscraperfan]

I will never ne a fan of bokeh. It became so popular because it was a way for photographers to show off their expensive gear, because you got the most bokeh from a large sensor and a fast lens. Both used to be very expensive. So bokeh differentiated professional from amateurs. That does not mean that it looks good though. Many people use too much bokeh. Instead of making the subject stand out from the background a little, they make the background so blurry that it become completely unrecognizable. * I actually prefer everything to be completely sharp. If the background is distracting, you chose the wrong background. Do not choose a busy street, but a quite park instead. Or maybe a nice brick wall. Of course you still need an ND filter if you just have too much light even at ISO 100 and f/16.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@rogereriksen2472]

Using an ND filter lets you keep the water looking "fluid". Yeah, I saw what you did there too!!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

It really does add a nice touch to scenic images with water.

[@photophil3742]

Where did you find her ? Best partner ever !

[@TheSlantedLens]

She really did not a great job!

[@АлександрРезвей]

What a smart girl))

[@TheSlantedLens]

Hope you learned some good tips!

[@HanieBCreations]

So glad things are going back to NORMAL. NO M-A-S-K... Very entertaining!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@ashley5130]

she's cute ;) and the information was helpful thanks

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@robertgrenader858]

Uh, man, I was out of focus in the '70s

[@TheSlantedLens]

LOL, hope you are in focus these days!

[@robertgrenader858]

@@TheSlantedLens Pin sharp. Baby

[@oriffel]

i really don;t like this trend of ultra shallow depth of field. it just feels like the actors/objects are so detached from their surroundings, like it was just imposed over a green screen. It just feels so lazy and aesthetically ugly. Sometimes its nice, but it feels like its all people shoot now. how boring.

[@TheSlantedLens]

It does help to direct the viewers eye to where you want them to look.

[@MassimoMarotta]

What an annoying video...!

[@carlosandreviana9448]

Variable nd? No thanks. You are asking for the X even with expensive ones

[@TheSlantedLens]

As a workflow decision for video I use a fixed ND and then a variable 1-5, but keep my fixed ND high enough that I don't get onto the high end of the variable and it gives me the ability to run and gun.

[@unknownKnownunknowns]

@@TheSlantedLens really great video. Thank you. Sounds like your solution is a is a one stop ND stacked with this one to five?

[@demiloca]

I bought the Mieke drop in filter for my new Canon R5C and wow... a massive improvement outside... So I'm late to the ND game but now I see for my own eyes, the difference. Not that I ever doubted the critical mass of pros swearing by them.

[@Surgeanima]

Please, you professionals stop to manipulate with this so called cinematic must blurry bokeh dogma. I don´t want to see the world blurry, i´m not a fool blind viewer to be led by a director intention. Let me free.

[@TheSlantedLens]

The nice thing about the blurred background is that the image is focused on what you want the viewer to pay attention to. It is a creative choice.

[@bass4512]

It’s a tool and a flavor. It should be used as such. The look of a film makes everyone feel a million different ways. No one is going to feel the EXACT same as you about the depth of field and that’s ok.