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09/28/2019 05:39:15 PM · #1 |
| I've been trying to do long daytime exposures by using ND filters. Having limited success. If I use more than one filter my camera cannot see well enough to focus. Is it better to use a lens with manual focus capability, so I can focus and then put the filters on? |
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09/28/2019 05:53:37 PM · #2 |
| You can set manual focus on your camera and then put the filter on. Otherwise choose the maximum ISO value and after manual focusing set the correct ISO/aperture/shutter for the shot |
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09/28/2019 05:59:13 PM · #3 |
| Thanks. My primary lens is auto focus only, so I think I need to use something else for those long exposures. Off to buy another set of filters in a different size! |
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09/28/2019 07:29:28 PM · #4 |
| You definitely need manual focus capability. You want to "lock it and leave it" after putting your filter(s) on. |
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09/29/2019 12:41:11 AM · #5 |
I am not sure if that is what your problem is but even with ND400 filter I could see the image on the back camera screen of Canon cameras and could use autofocus in daytime shots. My Canon cameras had optical viewfinders so I could not see through them. With Sony now I can see both - through the viewfinder and on the screen, even with ND400 and ND8 stacked together. The only time I ever needed manual focus was at night when there was nothing to focus on (I never tried the trick with a torch).
I always thought any lens could be used for long exposure so I was surprised to see your question but I may be wrong ;) |
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09/29/2019 01:23:26 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Thanks. My primary lens is auto focus only, so I think I need to use something else for those long exposures. Off to buy another set of filters in a different size! |
Are you sure you can't set the manual focus directly on the camera? I never saw one that doesn't allow you to do that. |
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09/29/2019 02:51:22 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Alexkc:
Are you sure you can't set the manual focus directly on the camera? I never saw one that doesn't allow you to do that. |
I just looked into it further and you are right. I'm not sure what made me think it was autofocus only. Maybe I read it somewhere that had wrong information or was confusing it with some other feature it lacked. That should help a lot.
Thanks all. |
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09/29/2019 10:02:11 AM · #8 |
| I normally get away with using Live View to focus when the ND filters are on -seems a lot easier than trying to put the filter on without moving the camera. I am sure there is a flaw with this method but seems to work OK for me. |
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10/05/2019 08:34:48 AM · #9 |
A variable ND filter would help as well. You can change the strength of the filter after you focus without having to put it on/off.
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