Improving long exposure beach/sea shots

[sam_franklin]

I've tried doing a couple of long exposure shots at the beach near my house. Admittedly it was during the middle of the day but even at f/22 ISO 100 an exposure of 1.3 - 2.5 seconds (as recommended by a tutorial to 'smooth' the sea) just came out as pure white. I've been looking into filters as a possible solution, is that the right thing to do or is it something else?

On a sort of related note is this basic filter set good and will it fit my Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm lens. Obviously I can get the right diameter (52mm) but I don't know how to mount it etc.
DigitalRev DR-501 5 in 1 Square filter set

Thanks in advance

 

[Demers18]

It doesn't matter if you set it at f22 or not as it still depends on getting the proper exposure. So yes f22 in mid day @ 2 seconds is way too long and will over expose your image. If you want to achieve long exposure results in the day you will need neutral density filters.
I'm not familiar with the set you are referring to but I would recommend to not cheap out as you get what you pay for. I like the Hoya filters myself.

 

[cgipson1]

You need at least a ND4, probably an ND8 for that shot. Bright daylight without some sort of filter.. is frying those images.

I have not used the Hoya ND's Demers18 recommended, but I have seen some color shifting with the less expensive ND filters (sometimes correctable, sometimes not). I am sure the top end Hoya's would be fine. The B+W's, and Singh Rays are much more expensive.. but usually have no problems.

Teh Digital Rev set might be ok to play with and learn with, but with filters.. you get what you pay for. I would not use them for anything serious.

 

[sam_franklin]

It doesn't matter if you set it at f22 or not as it still depends on getting the proper exposure. So yes f22 in mid day @ 2 seconds is way too long and will over expose your image. If you want to achieve long exposure results in the day you will need neutral density filters.
I'm not familiar with the set you are referring to but I would recommend to not cheap out as you get what you pay for. I like the Hoya filters myself.

You need at least a ND4, probably an ND8 for that shot. Bright daylight without some sort of filter.. is frying those images.

I have not used the Hoya ND's Demers18 recommended, but I have seen some color shifting with the less expensive ND filters (sometimes correctable, sometimes not). I am sure the top end Hoya's would be fine. The B+W's, and Singh Rays are much more expensive.. but usually have no problems.

Teh Digital Rev set might be ok to play with and learn with, but with filters.. you get what you pay for. I would not use them for anything serious.

Thanks both of you for your help. This is only the beginning just to experiment with some filters to see what they can do really!

 

[sam_franklin]

Would the 52mm mount fit on my 18-55mm DX Lens?

 

[cgipson1]

Would the 52mm mount fit on my 18-55mm DX Lens?

You mean the digital rev thing... it should have a screw on ring for your lens... and then a plastic filter mount that fits on the ring...

If your objective is 52mm... yea, it should fit...

 

[sam_franklin]

Okay, I don't really know much about this kind of thing so thanks for your help. It's appreciated