Which Neutral Density Filter should you buy FIRST?

[@adriennedragophotography]

Excellent video, Attilio! I love that you did a comparison of long exposure shots with and without the ND filter. Congrats on reaching the 100K milestone. Well deserved! Tanti saluti!!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Grazie 🙏:-)

[@charliejg]

Thanks for this information. I've been investigating ND filters. I am in the category of wanting to do long exposures once in a while and don't want to spend a fortune on ND filters. You're video was most helpful.

[@andyprime56]

Another great episode Attilio. I went with the Formatt HiTech Firecrest Pro filter system, 100mm. I have several filter’s now, including a 10 stop. All I need is more time to get out and enjoy my photography again, sadly work life gets in the way 😩

[@AttilioRuffo]

:-)

[@frederickmcdonald6636]

Nature conservancy - with all nature photographers.... what a cool concept! I'm glad you mentioned this because I've been thinking about this a lot lately and have voiced this idea a few times with other photographers. As photographers and artists we need to take a stand on what we see and instead of always making pretty images of nature and of a bucolic settings; we should all be discussing the human affect on the world around us. Thank you for this - take care and be safe out there....

[@AttilioRuffo]

💪

[@Indigo4711]

Hello Attillo, I have a Nikon D850 with a set of 6 Nikon Goldring lenses ranging from 16 to 200 mm including a Nikon PC19mm as well as a Nikon 200-500 mm and a 1.4 teleconverter. I have also invested in a set of square Lee ND filters incorporating soft and hard grads, little stopper, big stopper and a circular 105mm polarizer. Love my set of Lee filters to bits as well as your tutorials. Keep up the great work mate. 😁 PS my tripod is a Manfrotto. I have a lot more gear but I won't bore you with the details.

[@RichardBO9]

Excellent video. I have Nisi square filters in 3,6, and 15 stops. I haven't bought a 10 stop. The 3 plus the 6 plus the polarizer is close enough. :)

[@AttilioRuffo]

:-)

[@georgepistikoudis]

Great tip. This makes our start with long exposure easier and saves us a lot of starting investment. Thank you!

[@francequirion9547]

Thank you so much for your video, I love your teaching style! Very useful too. Can I have some details concerning the bag hanging from your tripod, it's very useful!

[@rhodesia1578]

Good blog as always Attilio.. fantastic and love that Tee shirt .. so true even if you not a landscape photographer.. always respect nature. So true when it comes to gear .. buy it once and you will never waste money on cheap products that don’t get the job done as one would expect. Looking forward to the next blog .. bravo my friend. 🙏🏻👏👏👌🏻

[@AttilioRuffo]

Absolutely

[@imarr17]

Another great video and good advice for somebody considering long exposure photography. What would have been a good demonstration would have been to have shown a side by side comparison of the three alternative images, ie the original f8 v ISO400 v ISO1600 images.

[@AttilioRuffo]

True!

[@randaldavis5690]

Which polarizer do you use, 3 stop, 6 stop when you use (or not) a ND filter? Love your videos. Thanks for the education. Keep up the good work.

[@rob9263]

Great video Attilio, beautifully explained and demonstrated 👍

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@Mr31formula]

Thank you so much for these videos. They are extremely HELPFUL. I've learned a lot.

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@tjsinva]

Congrats on the 100K! 🎆👍🥂

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thank You 🙏

[@sidekickbob7227]

Everytime a photograph vlogger starts to say "square" I spool forward in the video. Had to rewind this time when I understood it was squarefilters, and not squarespace... :-) Another good reason for using square filters, is how easy they adapt to a whole set of lenses. I know you can buy the screw on filter to fit your largest lens, and then use adapter rings, but I find that as more of an hazzle. In my case, I still consider myself as a strong competitor for the weakest link in my own set-up. So with that in mind I buy the mid range stuff. Save a lot of money, but still good enough to achieve (in my perspective) a good result.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@eekdestroy5329]

Yeah, my hatred for Squarespace grows with every sponsored video. 😅

[@bcrigg9388]

Good day Sir Attilio. I am making the the transition from Mirrorless to iPhone 15 Pro Max. I have decided to go with Reeflex external lens to take advantage of the 48mp sensor. I will be getting a CPL to tune out the glare. I am rejecting a VND filter, but would like to purchase a fixed ND filter. My choices with Reeflex are ND8, ND16, ND32, or ND64. I hope you could make a recommendation for one or more filters. Thank you in advance for your time, BC

[@mike747436]

My 6 stop is easily my most used ND filter, but then I usually have an orange or red filter attached too, so closer to 8/9 stops in total.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@sarajitsil]

Very interesting video. Useful tip on how to use a single nd filter cleverly.

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@1964ilovebears]

One suggestion Attilio, try the KASE magnetic filters. You will speak wonders !!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Happening soon!

[@dvilardi]

My intuition made me get a nd1000 first. So happy to get your approval on it lol

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@susanmeyer8885]

I have the Nisi square filter system and recently bought the Kase magnetic kit. Waste of money. I almost lost the CPL on two different occasions because it detached when taking camera out of my bag and fell to the ground. I will use screw on when I need a light portable kit and square system when I have room for it. Thanks for your video!

[@kellysprinkle6031]

That is exactly why I decided against them. I could already see me bumping the camera on something and the filter falling off the edge of a cliff…. I don’t trust me so I opted for something a lil more permanent… 😁

[@AttilioRuffo]

I will be testing some magnetic filters… hope not to lose them! :-)

[@garymullen4056]

Evening Attilio, Could be wrong, maybe.. but love the Attilio shadow in your first image, doh!!.. 😂 Very useful video as ever, and very well presented. As you suggest it would be foolish to add a cheap piece of plastic/glass in front of any half decent gear. Variable ND's ....just no....videographers maybe..Like most here I tried them at the onset of my journey, and like most. stuck them on ebay to help finance something more useful. Be Well, Thank You, and Keep Going, you are doing Great.

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@Simone-zr3hi]

Interessante, volevo proprio cominciare con un ND. Che app usi per calcolare espo?grazie

[@lesliedellow1533]

Photographing moving water, when you want an aperture wide open for shallow depth of field, but also a slow shutter speed to blur motion, then an nd filter is the answer. But if a flowing stream is the only use for it, is buying an expensive nd filter, to put on the front of a £700:lens, and which I might use only once a year, really justified?

[@NickWeissMusic]

Nah, a mid quality filter or set would be enough in that situation. He says something like that in the video too. If you go too cheap, the colors can get funky, but no need for a $250+ filter for occasional fun.

[@AshishMalhotra1973]

Excellent to the point as always ,I have always seen you taking a shot in Aperture mode and then switching over to Manual mode ,but can’t understand the concept behind it I am using a Haida circular ND kit with 3 filters 3-6 & 10 stop in it

[@sumandebroy8968]

He uses the Aperture priority mode in order to get the base shutter speed before he actually puts on the ND filter, as once you attach the ND you have to necessarily work in manual mode. Finding the base shutter speed is important for calculation of the exposure length with the ND filter on.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Perfectly explained… 👍

[@sumandebroy8968]

@@AttilioRuffo Thank you Sir...I really love watching your videos 😊

[@AttilioRuffo]

@@sumandebroy8968 🙏

[@AshishMalhotra1973]

@@sumandebroy8968 but can’t that be done in manual mode too ? And then mounting the filter and adjusting the desired time for shooting

[@urscampell5566]

Simple great! THX Attilio.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@vivahabbitvanassen]

Thank you so much I really enjoy this . I’m in a bad place and I need to get moving.

[@AttilioRuffo]

💪

[@jameswestii454]

KASE/WOLVERINE Circular Magnetic Pro Stack ND Kit is just amazing. They also have many other filters like the Neutral Night, 720nm IR, CPL+ND and a great Lens Hood that is also magnetic so you can use your filters with it. Glass is incredibly durable, no coloring, easy to clean. Only thing that is not great is the magnetic lens/filter cap cause it seems to not want to always stay on if walking around with it on. As always, size up your kit 1 or 2mm sizes larger than your smallest lens and get a step up ring that they also sell and you will be more than happy.

[@AttilioRuffo]

I will be testing them very soon!

[@jameswestii454]

@@AttilioRuffo Look forward to how you like them. TY

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@jeffreyrice]

Thanks, this was a great learning experience.

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@cloud84strife]

Only for photos or also for videos?

[@MaxPhotoGraphic]

Grazie, well made I use a 10x (really x10) + a variable 3-11 (it s in reality ...-7x) in this way I can have the needed flexibility with 50 iso on my aps-c body :)

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@jriis2010]

Great video as always, but i was a. little scared on your behalf, with the tripod in that position so close to water :-)

[@matt79hz]

Is 16.6(100000) too much ? I have 10, sometimes its not enough but i dont see nd32000 in my filter thread size..

[@ignacioalvarez133]

Respect Nature. Sensei!👏

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@messiascarvalho60]

Excelente Video! Congratulations

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thank you very much!

[@melvinlua6383]

Good advice as always. Thanks Attilio. By the way, I've already gotten both a 6 stop and 10 stop ND filters with the Nisi square system. Should I invest in a 16 stop ND for even longer exposure or I can stack both the 6 & 10 stop ND to achieve the same outcome?

[@AttilioRuffo]

you can totally stack them and save some money!

[@melvinlua6383]

@@AttilioRuffo Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@gautamasakyamuni6688]

Io sono partii subito con il Big Stopper, niente vie di mezzo 😉

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@bobcoggin4618]

Brill 👍🏻

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@Regzillaaa]

is nobody else feeling like his tripod and bag and himself are precariously close to that river.. I couldn't focus

[@RandThra-x9m]

Lewis Anthony Hernandez Donna Moore Joseph

[@randallstewart175]

The 10 stop ND is versatile? it's a one trick pony, and the trick is a shop worn cliche. Blur 'dem waters, baby.

[@dysanmf2h]

..and last a good tripod.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@dysanmf2h]

@@AttilioRuffo and I have Adobe photoshop Elements 12 bought 10 years ago still sealed in the package.

[@mervfer1162]

I have both round and square. I started with some Variable ND, but it's hard to calculate and get consistent with those. They are better for video where the slight adjustments are helpful. One suggestion I have on the round filters is to buy the largest that you might need (I use 82mm) and then buy step up rings to use with all the different lenses. The main downside is lens caps, but you can buy an 82mm lens cap to use.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@dysanmf2h]

I bought a&f concept 52mm, 58mm, 82mm and step up rings 52 and 58mm to 82mm after I learned from an other video.

[@dysanmf2h]

Unfortunately I don t have the budget for a full frame camera yet and I like to buy new. My Nikon has only 2000 shots count and it's 7 years since I bought it.

[@dysanmf2h]

I have Instagram account and Facebook account I posted some pics, nothing special about my pictures yet as I m the learning process. Antillio a big thank you for all the videos that you have created over all these years which are very informative and the quality is outstanding and absolutely flawless ! WoW !

[@andyjsmith1981]

Absolutely agree with the 'quality gear' point Attilio, amazes me when you see some amateur photographers who shoot with a top of the range camera an lens but have a cheap variable ND slapped on the front, go the extra mile! Great vlog as always! 🙏🏻

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@PaulHeagen]

I love your video, but you're scaring me to death having your camera teetering on the edge of the rock!

[@Jwitherow1964]

Your making me a bit nervous with the tripod that close to the river lol

[@AttilioRuffo]

Which is the first ND filter that you bought?

[@hxl6162]

10 stops and a hard graduated 3 stops

[@allengillis2636]

My first ND was a 10 stop and a 6 stop circular. I bought them together. I now use the NISI filter system that I won from your photography contest last year. They are AMAZING!

[@joe_zupko]

me seeing that camera on the river bank like 😱

[@matrixate]

I think you should mention that 10stop is versatile for photography. For video, 6stop is usually the ideal nd filter.

[@henkoreuvekamp]

Good to also mention the magnetic filter option. Works lightning fast. Very satisfied with my Kase system. Although today, when photographing a waterfall, I was unable to darken the sky above it. A grad filter would have been ideal in this case, but now I will have to correct in post unfortunately.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Will be testing Kase filters soon…

[@TeddyCavachon]

My first camera, a Nikonos II, which I used under and above water didn’t have a meter so I learned to set exposure via “Sunny 16/ Open Shade 5.6”. The rule of thumb is based on exposure being correct at f/16 in direct sun and 5.6 in open shade when shutter is set at 1/ISO speed. Knowing that rule of thumb is helpful when calculated what amount is needed for video. Filter density units are based on log(Incident/Transmitted) so a filter which cuts light in half (one stop) has a ND value of .log(2/1) = 3. One which cuts light by a factor of log(100/1) will have an ND value of 3.0. For example for Canon Log3 video the base ISO is 800 so a baseline “Sunny 16” exposure would be 1/800th at f/16. Reducing shutter speed to 1/50th (2x 24p frame rate) would require four stops (.3 ND units) or 1.2 ND to expose correctly at f/16. Then increments of .3 ND units would need to be added for each stop the aperture is opened for desired DOF: 1.5 @ f/11, 1.8 @ f/8, 2.1 @ f/5.6, 2.4 @ f/4, 2.7 @ f/2.8 and 3.0 @ F/2 In open shade the starting ISO 800 baseline would be the same 1/800th but at 5.6 with .3 ND added @ f/4, .6 @ f/2.8, .9 @ f/2

[@John-Shutterlyphotos]

So true regarding lower quality gear especially when using top quality cameras and lenses. I used a cheaper ND filter while on vacation, came back to major corrections (color cast, flare etc) fortunately I corrected it by shear luck. Should have borrowed my friend's Nisi filters until I can buy them.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@pattymattes7124]

I did enjoy this! I invested in the Lee system a couple of years ago. I do have a 10 stop and 6 stop ND filter. I got one of my favorite images using that 10 stop ND filter. Yes, it's good to invest in quality equipment. I remember you mentioned that about tripods. So I finally invested in a good tripod. I'm so glad I did. Thank you!

[@AttilioRuffo]

yes Patty!👍

[@ladylincoln6691]

Congtatulations Attilio! 100,000 subscribers is amazing! Well deserved!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thank You!!!

[@pathfindercod4638]

Great video. So happy you are back sharing your knowledge with us

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@dysanmf2h]

Hi Mr. Attillio I like your instructive videos I m new into photography in general. I only have D3200 some manual and automatic lenses wide angle by Sigma 10-20mm, 1 x Nikon 40mm AF s, 1 x Nikon 50mm af-s, a meike 85mm a and mf.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@morrisgentry8624]

My first DSLR was a D3300 and I still have it. The 24MP Nikon D series cameras are capable of making very good photos when paired with a good lens.

[@giganadiradze]

I love Italy and Italians. thanks for this video much from Georgia

[@carbybirett]

Another good one Attilio, but I really thought you might loose your tripod with camera in these waters. So close and the angle ...........

[@geofturner986]

I had a 10 stop variable too. It worked by having two pieces of polarised material that rotated. It was rubbish, just gave a dark cross in the middle of the image.

[@GARY1951A]

Thanks, Attilio!! Great information and as always very informative!!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks

[@Paul0451]

Neutral Density Calculator. There are several available. What’s app you’re using?

[@oleralphhammer3600]

Yes, always buy quality gear. Don't put some kind of poor quality glass or plastic filter infront of your good quality lens 😬 My first ND filter was a 10 stop Haida square filter and a 3 stop grad filter. Then added the CPL. Great video and yes RESPECT NATURE 😊👍

[@AttilioRuffo]

💪

[@robertgrenader858]

In the beginning, I ruined countless long exposures by forgetting to shut the viewfinder shutter on my D850. With mirrorless, you don't have to worry about that.

[@AttilioRuffo]

I hear you…

[@judyboyd9530]

Great video! The 1st filters I bought are from Breakthrough and I really like them a lot, easy to carry when hiking a distance. I then bought the Polar Pro system and I like it but not that easy to lug around when hiking. I find I rarely use the 6 stop filter unless I stack them. Like you, my favorite is the 10 stop. 😊

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@TAdams-hx9lk]

😢can't access store for t shirts.

[@curiewilhelm5062]

geart 😊

[@MerchantsOfMisery]

Very helpful video and I LOVE your t-shirt. Liked and subscribed for sure.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

thanks for the effort and sharing. your YT vid was very helpful. i will attempting some ND/long exposure on my upcoming trip to australia and new zealand. thumbs up.

[@tetroretrislvl4]

Hi!! Thanks so much for the vid, it was super helpful in helping me understand how to use the 10 stop ND filter! What app is it that you use to help you calculate the exposure?

[@bourbon_sketcher]

That was a great tip; to shorten the exposure using the 10 stop ND, up the ISO; and also opening up the aperture. Thanks 👍

[@Kinosaurus]

i use variable filter because i'm doing both photo & video work, Urth makes very nice Variable ND's that i can not find a technical fault in.

[@franksamet]

You didn’t mention white balance settings, are you setting it to a fixed K value?

[@AttilioRuffo]

I use auto WB as I can adjust it in post

[@franksamet]

@@AttilioRuffo thank you Attilio

[@AttilioRuffo]

@@franksamet 👍

[@josephxavierphotography]

I Love your Dedication... cool videos Attilio 🤩🤩

[@azakalabaza6384]

wow very helpful video thanks for sharing

[@klaustrussel]

Video utilissimo! Grazie!!

[@claudioallegretto338]

perchè non fai dei tutorial in italiano ??

[@AttilioRuffo]

Se tutto va bene riparto in italiano a settembre…

[@mikevaughn7510]

Love the blooper. No battery? I can’t tell how many times I have done this, forgot to set my shutter speed to time mode and get a nice black box photo, or just a million other things that remind us we are humans no matter how many times we do the exact same things. Wonderful video and I concur. Can’t go wrong with a 10 stop if looking to purchase your first filter.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@moisescugat3948]

Hi Attilio!! I agree that 10 stops is the first filter you have to buy. EXCEPT if you own an OMsystem OM1 or one Olympus EM1x or EM1.3. These cameras can add a digital filter up to 5 or 6 stops. It means that you don't need filter for waterfalls. Minimal gear, minimal weight, and much better quality than any glass you put in front of the lens (and vastly improved dynamic range). So, for OMSystem users, a single 6 stops filter allow them to change between 0 and 12 stops (0 to 6 in digital, 57 to 12 combining physical and digital)so no need to increase ISO and lose all the dynamic range that comes with it

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@dmac5x1]

Great video. I use the Lee system and love it. By the way, I’m very jealous of being in Italy! We were scheduled to go in May, 2020 but something happened!

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@mzanotti]

Do you think the more expensive the filter the better it will be? Have you made a comparison between models and prices? I bought a K&F I will test it. Thanks, Attilio!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Will do soon!

[@kellysprinkle6031]

I am completely onboard with your viewpoint regarding good gear. I have crazy money wrapped up in good gear and it’s just a hobby 😉. My theory is with buying all the stuff I have/want is that if my pics turn out bad, I will know for certain what’s Not causing it ☺️. I have wanted a D810 for a long long time. Now I just need to learn how to use it to do everything that I want 😅. I am hooked on the long exposure and have both styles of NISI ND filter kits that I learned about from your videos. I can’t wait to have some free time to put them to good use. Love your photos and videos. I have learned so much from you. You’re an incredible teacher. Thank you for sharing your talent, expertise, and experience❣️

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks Kelly!

[@michaelbandeko3519]

The 10 stop Haida and 3 stop GND is all I have. I do use an Irix filter holder. I like to use my Irix 15mm in addition to my Nikon 20mm. The Haida holder vignettes badly on my Irix lens.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@rsutter879]

Question; I use a round 10 stops ND filter. I have never used a gradual ND filter in combination with my 10 stops ND filter. I always darken the sky in Lightroom. I understand that this is not the best solution. Nevertheless I would like to see the difference in a photo made with a gradual ND filter and without the gradual filter and a photo solving the problem of the sky in Lightroom. Can you show this in a video? Of cause the photos mus be made at the same time under the same circumstances.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Why not! 👍

[@philbraithwaite1316]

I struggled with screw on filters in the winter with cold fingers (it can be a bit of a fiddle catching the thread) so I invested in the Lee system a few years ago when I had some spending power!

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@josecavazos1194]

Great video, Attilio and glad that you are back into posting videos. What is your perspective of Haida screw-in w stackable (cheaper) vs NiSi vs other manufacturers (R5 user)?

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks mate. I will be testing a new system soon… hold on! :-)

[@rlfisher]

I like the new intro. Good info, Attilio: I threw away my VND years ago, now get by with a 10-stop and 6-stop circulars (and CPL).

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks !

[@mauriziopandolfo513]

Ciao Attilio, gran bei video. Li seguo sempre con piacere. Ho letto che per calcolare i tempi lunghi, utilizzi l'app Triggertrap. Ho provato a cercarla, ma non la trovo. Alternativa? Nisi o Lee? Grazie

[@AttilioRuffo]

Grazie. Forse c’è solo nell’app store americano

[@mauriziopandolfo513]

@@AttilioRuffo Ok. Grazie

[@michaelherskovitz4203]

Thanks for a very helpful video. I enjoy your views about how to think about gear as well as how to have fun while shooting.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thank You

[@ASSAMDIGITELSHORT]

Love 💕

[@AttilioRuffo]

🙏

[@afd1979]

Which place is this Attilio?

[@AttilioRuffo]

La Thuile, Valle d’Aosta

[@afd1979]

@@AttilioRuffo Bellissimo Attilio, grazie dei tuoi video.

[@AttilioRuffo]

@@afd1979 🙏

[@nikokane5]

Not going lie , I was nervous watching you set up next to that stream 😩. Which of the photos (settings) did you like best ?

[@AttilioRuffo]

it was pretty safe... :-) the longest exposure!

[@richardpesce5325]

I am sure that this is a very valuable lesson treat I will use time and time again. Thanks Attilio!

[@AttilioRuffo]

Thanks mate!

[@chloejohnson9225]

Love my Freewell Magnetic Filters.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@fotogfitzfoto412]

I missed the little "Subscribe" speech; I like listening to it!

[@AttilioRuffo]

:-)

[@subhransumukhopadhyay6450]

Thank you . It's really helpful for me

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍

[@dysanmf2h]

Thank you for your videos

[@AttilioRuffo]

Glad you like them!

[@gailmager4147]

Thanks for the tips again. Presently I only a 6 stop circular ND filter. What app do you suggest using for the time?

[@AttilioRuffo]

I like the Triggertrap app

[@gailmager4147]

@@AttilioRuffo grazie

[@richardpesce5325]

I have NIsi system.

[@AttilioRuffo]

Cool

[@fabiosan1985]

C'è anche un altro fattore importante che influenza la scelta tra filtro circolare e filtro a lastra: l'obiettivo su cui lo devi montare...Ad esempio io ho il tamron 15-30,che è una lente della madonna (in gergo tecnico 😆 ),ma ha purtroppo il grosso difetto che monta esclusivamente filtri a lastra,quindi sfortunatamente con quella lente è una scelta obbligata... 😅

[@AttilioRuffo]

Vero…

[@francobenedetti1808]

Buongiorno! Ho preso il 6 stop Lee , quello carissimo senza dominante fredda. Va bene davvero! Mi fa gola il 15 stop Lee ma è introvabile.

[@AttilioRuffo]

👍