Filter Advice

[Asbo Sovfinger]

I thought I'd come to the practitioners of amazing Dub photography to ask a bit of advice ahead of Goodwood on 3rd July. 

Stink, Horney, Garry Gti et al loving your work and jealous of your results.  I've borrowed some kit from my brother (Canon 400D with kit lens, 70-300mm Tamron and Sigma 10-20mm.  I've also got an 28-80mm Canon and and 80-200mm Canon from my 35mm SLR that work fine too).

I tried taking some photos yesterday and most were fairly good but adging towards over exposure as was reasonably bright daylight.  Can anyone give me a bot of advice about Neutral Density filters and what level to go for (I'm assuming nd2, nd4 etc refer to level of 'tinting' for want of a better word)?  I understand that they're a little like camera sunglasses and will allow for longer exposures in brighter conditions, or have I not understood at all.  Also would a grad lens be of any benefit and any suggestions there.  I've found a good cheap website that I can get some filters from (www.7dayshop.com) and I'm not that worried about their quality as it's a borrowed setup.

Cheers guys, keep up the inspirational work on here.

[DubFan]

If it's outside in bright sunlight, I'd suggest you also look at polarising filters, they'll cut the light levels down so that you can have a bit more flexibility with your aperture settings.

Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographic_filter


The effects of a polarizer on the sky in a color photograph. The picture on the right has the filter.


And this guide too:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Polarisers--a-guide-to-using-polarizing-filters-4757

[the_stink]

I think if its generally a bright sunny day a nd 2 filter should take the edge off of the brightness and help with the photos not being over exposed, as per the example with the polariser it can make a lot of difference but just twist it to get the desired effect,

Ive found its just alot of trial and error see what works sounds liek yo u got access to soem good kit there! have fun

[Asbo Sovfinger]

Yeah man, my brother's an architect (for "architect" read "loaded") so used the Sigma to take pictures of rooms in one go, was useful when putting our house on the market.  However he's just bought himself a new Leica compact that he's taken to using and that produces stunning results so why's he's obsessed with that I've got free reign with his old kit 

Just noticed Stink lives in Bristol and may have to stalk him and make notes of all his settings.....sh!t, that might have given the game away 

So, possibly polarising or an ND2.  I suppose the Polarising can be more versatile, but I assume therefore more expensive.  I shall do some research.

Any tips forthcoming gratefully appreciated.

Ed

[the_stink]

na a polariser with let you back about £14 so its really cheap my grad filters and attachement for my camera was £40 but can have upto 3 filters stacked at one time so can get them darker etc or add colour filters etc

where abouts in bristol you from mate?

[Asbo Sovfinger]

Bedminster - in the road opposite the swimming pool and Dean Lane skate park.  Yourself?

[the_stink]

Bedminster - in the road opposite the swimming pool and Dean Lane skate park.  Yourself?

ahhh one of my best mates lives on corination rd, i live in kingswood mate

[Asbo Sovfinger]

Lived in and around Bristol all my life but that's one area I'm not that familiar with.  Hoping to go out with a photographer mate who's got a t25 in a couple of weeks.  Hoping to get some nice graffiti backdrops for some pics, any ideas for spots?

Any tips gratefully received by anyone who can offer some ideas.  Will post any good Goodwood pics if I get any (fingers crossed).

Keep up the good work folks.

[Dan34]

stink can i ask where you got you grad filters from?

Thanks

Dan

[Horney]

If they're over exposed and you're using the Av or Tv setting rather than full manual mode you can adjust the exposure by twiddling the rotating wheel and holding down one of the buttons at the same time. I can't remember which though as I do it without thinking and my camera isn't with me. I'll look it up when I get home for ya though.

nick