Could you tell me about N D filters? I've heard they increase contrast but now I find there are N Ds with different numbers attached.Should I start by getting one numbered 1/2? Or not bother and use a polariser? Forgive my ignorance. Mick.

Hi Mick, Normally a ND filter will be used to decrease the shutter speed to a level where you can produce a certain effect with moving objects like water or clouds.

Or you would use a graduated ND filter to help even the exposure of the bright sky.

As Ken Has stated an ND will be used in circumstances where you need to decrease the amount of light falling on the sensor. A good quality one will do this without altering the contrast or imparting any sort of colour cast on the image.

The different numbers are the strength of that effect and depends on how the manufacturer shows this rating.

x2 would let half the light through etc.

Unless you are shooting images that need long exposures they are not an essential piece of equipment to have. I have a couple and I doubt if I have used them more than a handful of times in 20 years.

Bear in mind that the image displayed through the viewfinder will be significantly reduced in brightness also.

Steve

Thanks Ken & Steve, I don't think it's what I want after all !
Do you remember when digital was coming in? "They " said it would never be as good as film. I really enjoy taking photos now , not having to worry about wasting film! I put my pictures on Picasa and improve or delete them! Great hobby. Mick. PS. What is the car Ken? I thought Audi at first.

Hi Mick, you guessed correctly, I fell in love with the shape and design of the interior when drove one of the first one in the country back in 1999. I could not afford a new one so waited a bit and bought a 4 year old one.

Hope you don't mind a quick picture:

In some respects I do not think that digital is better than film. It is however a lot easier and cheaper to learn with simply because one does not have to worry about the expense of processing the film plus the instant nature of the format.

But the view of 50asa Velvia correctly exposed on a light table still knocks spots off digital and I think will do for a long time yet.

Steve

I'm sure you are right Steve. I started my photography in the 60s with a
Fed 4, then a Lubitel and various Russian SLRs ( Zeniths) and never mastered
GOOD picture taking (apart from the odd accident!) I now keep my camera
on "P" but still get some nice pictures sometimes. My favourite subjects are
my lovely granddaughters and the small river that runs through the garden.

the problem I had with film was that if it wasnt anything important I would stick a roll somewhere ready to take in and a year later it would still be there ,by the time it was developed I had forgotten what where and when

Since no one has told you what the number indicate, I thought I'd quickly chime in to let you know its simply the number of stops.

Ideally you'll need a set of 3 or 4 of them. from 1 -3 (or 4) stops.

Paul.