ND? Polarizing? Both?

[cbarnard7]

Hi All,

I've been looking into getting an ND filter. I currently have a polarizing filter, and think it works well for my landscape shots and normally lets me slow my shutter speed down enough for waterfalls an such.

Shooting mostly in the mountains, is getting a slot-in type useless? Should I look into something like this instead?:
Amazon.com: Hoya 52mm Neutral Density ND-400 X, 9 Stop Multi-Coated Glass Filter: Electronics

Can a screw-in ND go on top of my screw-in polarizing filter?

I was thinking I could use a polarizing filter to cut glare and make things pop, while using say, an 8/9-stop ND filter to really slow down my shutter speed (for super milky waterfalls). Is this what people normally do?

I guess I am just under the impression that ND filters are great for say, a sunrise over an ocean (something that has a straight horizon line). Would they be useful in my situation, too?

Thanks!

 

[Designer]

Yes, you can stack filters, providing they have threads on both sides. I wonder if that is really what you want to do.

 

[cbarnard7]

Yes, you can stack filters, providing they have threads on both sides. I wonder if that is really what you want to do.

I guess I don't really know what I want to do, haha. I like most of my landscape shots, but I guess I wonder if getting an ND would better my photos (if used correctly).

 

[tirediron]

I think you're confusing neutral density with graduated neutral density (G-ND). A regular ND filter simply blocks a given amount of light equally over the entire surface of the filter. A G-ND has a clear portion which transitions to an ND portion either in a hard (short transition) or soft (long transition). The G-ND is the type used (normally) for sunsets, etc. You can stack them on your CPOL, but the more you stack, the more you risk vignetting, especially at wider angles.

 

[cbarnard7]

I think you're confusing neutral density with graduated neutral density (G-ND). A regular ND filter simply blocks a given amount of light equally over the entire surface of the filter. A G-ND has a clear portion which transitions to an ND portion either in a hard (short transition) or soft (long transition). The G-ND is the type used (normally) for sunsets, etc. You can stack them on your CPOL, but the more you stack, the more you risk vignetting, especially at wider angles.

Yes...I am confused for certain! I guess in my case a regular ND would be more useful since I'd rather not have the peaks of mountains much darker than the base? I like the idea of evenness...could you forgo an ND filter entirely if you use correct exposure compensation or bracketing?

 

[480sparky43 42]

Yes...I am confused for certain! I guess in my case a regular ND would be more useful since I'd rather not have the peaks of mountains much darker than the base? I like the idea of evenness...could you forgo an ND filter entirely if you use correct exposure compensation or bracketing?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The solution depends entirely on the dynamic range the scene contains and the ability of your camera. An ND filter is not going to solve it..... only a GND, judicious exposure combined with good PP technique, or HDR will tame it.