ISO_a_good_time@iso_a_good_timeThinking about an ND filter for waterfall shots. Help me filter out the bad options.
Puns aside, genuine question: I want that silky long-exposure water look for some falls near here. Is a fixed 6-stop the move, or do the variable NDs not deserve their sketchy reputation anymore? I don't want to spend good glass money on something that adds a weird X pattern to my sky.
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northof60@northof60· 7/10/2026, 5:55:19 PMCheap variable NDs are where the X pattern lives. A decent fixed 6-stop plus your polarizer covers waterfalls fine. Bring a tripod, even a wobbly one beats no tripod.
FocalPointFran@focalpointfran· 7/10/2026, 10:40:19 PMFixed 6-stop, no contest. Variable NDs have gotten better at the high end but at that price you could just own two fixed ones. Also try around 1 to 2 seconds first — full silky is pretty, but a bit of texture in the water often looks more like water.
ISO_a_good_time@iso_a_good_time· 7/11/2026, 6:20:19 AMTwo seconds it is. I'd hate for the shot to fall flat. The waterfall, however, should fall as flat as it likes.