{"id":133661,"date":"2020-06-22T08:21:43","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T13:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=133661"},"modified":"2020-06-22T08:21:43","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T13:21:43","slug":"the-best-variable-nd-filters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/the-best-variable-nd-filters\/","title":{"rendered":"Some of the Best and Most Affordable Variable ND Filters of 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

These three tried-and-true variable ND filters will help you control exposure under even the harshest light. And they’ll do it without breaking the bank.<\/h2>\n

You’ve got your camera. You’ve picked out the perfect lens and selected your SD\/CFast card. So, what’s the next step on this path toward the best shot of your life? The answer is easy: It’s time to choose a neutral-density filter (ND filter) like those found in Canon’s C lineup and other cinema-grade cameras. Here’s what you need to know.<\/p>\n

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ND Filters: What Are They, What Do They Do, and When Do You Need One?<\/h3>\n
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A simple demonstration of how ND filters can affect your shot. Image via tigristiara<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

In the simplest terms, a neutral-density filter reduces the amount of light hitting the sensor without affecting or changing an image’s hues. This effectively allows you to increase your aperture and control your exposure in bright settings. Instead of stopping down to f22, or however small you can make your aperture, you can shoot with a shallow depth of- field and control your overall exposure more precisely.<\/p>\n

There are all kinds of different ND filters, like graduated ND filters<\/a>, variable ND filters, and even “extreme ND filters,” which let in only the tiniest amount of light. (You can dig in a bit deeper with a quick look at our post “Manipulating the Invisible Spectrum with ND Filters<\/a>.”)<\/p>\n

You really only need<\/em> an ND filter when shooting in bright, overexposed situations \u2014 like beneath the mid-day sun. Personally, I like to keep some type of ND filter attached to my camera in most situations, just for the added control over my image. At the very least, I always have one nearby for when I need to use a specific aperture.<\/p>\n

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Best Variable ND Filters<\/h3>\n