Thread: ND filter on XZ-1

I've done some reaading on Neutral Density filters, but I am struggling to get my head around the use of the XZ-1's ND filter setting.

What does it do (in ludite terms) and when is it worth using, and when is it best to leave turned off?

It acts like having a 3 stop ND filter in front of your lens. An external filter stops light hitting the sensor which is usefull when it's really bright. The XZ-1 has a max shutter speed of 1/2000 sec which isn't that fast so in bright light the ND reduces the shutter speed to a more managegable level. The built in one on the XZ-1 does a similar thing but it basically does 3 stops of neg exposure compensation.

Hope this is clear!?!?!

Ah!
So if I want to use a wide apateur, but the shutter speed indicator is flashing red, if I turn the ND filter on I can (probably) still use the apateur I want? Depth of focus in bright light, right?

Are there any other ways to use it creatively?

Long exposures in bright light too
EG falls shots with water motion effect, of course you need a tripod

Originally Posted by idris

Ah!
So if I want to use a wide apateur, but the shutter speed indicator is flashing red, if I turn the ND filter on I can (probably) still use the apateur I want? Depth of focus in bright light, right?

Are there any other ways to use it creatively?

I actually use the ND filter a fair amount. The lens on my XZ-1 seems to be sharpest between f/3.5 and f/4.0, and on a bright day at ISO 100, I often need a shutter speed faster than 1/2000s to avoid blown highlights. The ND filter avoids that problem (shutter speed is down to 1/250-1/500s).

DH

Originally Posted by dhazeghi

I actually use the ND filter a fair amount. The lens on my XZ-1 seems to be sharpest between f/3.5 and f/4.0, and on a bright day at ISO 100, I often need a shutter speed faster than 1/2000s to avoid blown highlights. The ND filter avoids that problem (shutter speed is down to 1/250-1/500s).

DH

DH, what a great idea! I had thought of the ND filter just as a means to achieve out-of-focus backgrounds or slow shutter speeds for waterfall effects. Your suggestion makes perfect sense for someone who does a lot of shooting in strong sunlight; I'll have the ND filter on during my seaside vacation later this summer. Thanks!