ND filter (gray filter) Table for conversion of density, aperture, time

As I got confused when using ND or gray filters when comparing transparency, shutter speeds or aperture levels, I have created a usefull table here.

 

Gray Filter Conversion Table

Filter  Neutral density ND  Transparency  Extension of exposure time f-stops
ND2 0,3 50% 2x 1
ND4  0,6  25% 4x 2 
ND8 0,9  12,6% 8x 3 
ND16 1,2 6,3% 16x 4 
ND64 1,8 1,6% 64x 6
ND1000 3 0,10% 1000x 10

 

Longexposure of Woudagemaal in Lemmer Longexposure shot of the Woudagemaal in Lemmer (NL). 1 minute 30 seconds exposure time. Clouds and water are extremely soft. Nikon D500, Sigma 18-35mm F1,8 DC HSM | Art, HAIDA Slim Pro II ND-Filter

Which gray filters do I recommend, what should you pay attention to?

I myself use gray or ND filters from HAIDA. The filters are of good quality, in the middle price range and completely sufficient for my purposes. In detail I use the series “HAIDA Slim PRO II Digital MC Neutral Grey Filters“, because they are characterized by a small thickness and therefore do not cause shadows in the motive. In addition, the filters are more space-saving to transport than thicker models.

 

Advantages

  • Very thin, therefore no shading and vignetting
  • No color distortion
  • Practical to transport due to end caps
  • Perfect to screw on and off, clean thread
HAIDA Slim PRO II Digital MC Neutral Graufilter Set bestehend aus ND8, ND64, ND1000 Filtern 72mm inkl. Stack Cap Filtercontainer +...
HAIDA Slim PRO II Digital MC Neutral Graufilter Set bestehend aus ND8, ND64, ND1000 Filtern 72mm inkl. Stack Cap Filtercontainer +...*
  • Brandneu: Haida Slim Pro II MC ND Neutral Graufilter Set 72mm - bestehend aus 3 Filtern: ND8, ND64, ND1000 + Filtercontainer +...
  • Hochwertige, extreme ND Neutral Graufilter, der neuen professionellen Pro II MC Serie mit sehr schlanker Filerfassung - Hergestellt aus...
124,90 EUR Amazon Prime
Amazon
 
If you want to use an absolute premium product and perhaps attach more importance to the coating than I do, you will receive very good, but also more expensive products with the grey filters from “B+W”:

B+W 1089229 Graufilter ND64 72mm, MRC Nano, XS-Pro, 16x vergütet, Slim, Premium matt-schwarz
B+W 1089229 Graufilter ND64 72mm, MRC Nano, XS-Pro, 16x vergütet, Slim, Premium matt-schwarz*
  • KREATIV DURCH WENIGER LICHT - Neutraldichtefilter perfekt zur Reduktion der einfallenden Lichtmenge (6 Blendenstufen) ohne Farben und...
  • VERGÜTUNG: Die 7+1 MRC Beschichtung sorgt für eine hohe Transmission und maximale Entspiegelung. Die zusätzliche Nano-Außenschicht...
59,42 EUR Amazon Prime
Amazon

 

My first choice as a Lightroom alternative

I’m gonna do some advertising. I’ve been dealing with all kinds of image editing software for months, comparing a lot, testing a lot and finally choosing RAW developer and Lightroom alternative Luminar 3.

Have a look and try the free trial version. Just click on the banner:

Luminar 3 recommendation

All the links in this text are Amazon Affiliate Links, and by clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a percentage of your subsequent Amazon purchases. However, this circumstance does not influence the background of my product recommendation. This product recommendation is independent, honest and sincere. 

Bei allen genannten Links handelt es sich um Amazon-Affiliate-Links. Durch einen Klick auf einen Affiliate-Link werde ich prozentual an Euren darauf folgenden Amazon-Einkäufen beteiligt. Dieser Umstand beeinflusst aber nicht die Hintergründe meiner Produktempfehlung. Diese Produktempfehlung erfolgt unabhängig, ehrlich und aufrichtig.