Whats a good ND filter value for all around

[matthewo]

Looking to buy a b+w nd filter. I dont want to go extream with the 110 10 stop one. Im more interested in a nd filter that will get me down to the 2.8 range at 1/100 of a sec or so in bright sun, with possible use of flash to light up the subject a little over the background.

Also i would like to use it for small aperture and landscape/slow down and smooth water.

Do you guys think a 3 stop filter work? Maybe a .9

 

[480sparky]

As a general rule, in order to shoot ISO 100, 1/100 @ f2.8 you'd need a 5-stop ND. 1/100 won't be long enough to blur much water, but you could stop down to f/16 and set the shutter at 1/4 sec.

 

[matthewo]

As a general rule, in order to shoot ISO 100, 1/100 @ f2.8 you'd need a 5-stop ND. 1/100 won't be long enough to blur much water, but you could stop down to f/16 and set the shutter at 1/4 sec.

Yeah i would do around f16 to lower the shutter speed to get smooth water.

So you think i need a 5 stop filter to get to 1/100 and 2.8 at iso 100?

 

[480sparky]

...........So you think i need a 5 stop filter to get to 1/100 and 2.8 at iso 100?

Based on the Sunny 16 Rule, yes.

 

[matthewo]

Thanks. Actually i think im just going to get the .9 b+w 103, 3 stop filter. B&h has them for $72 shipped. I can always bump up the shutter speed up and still be well below 1/320 flash sync @2.8

 

[KmH]

If you have an 0.3 and a 0.6, stacked you also have a 0.9

If you have an 0.3, 0.6, an 0.9, you can stack them so you also have a 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8.

If you elect to stack ND filters it's a good idea to get bigger ones and use a step-up ring to eliminate vignetting.