Can you recommend an IOS App in which I can just point my iPhone at the sky and determine appropriate ND filter for various frames and shutter speed. I'm getting tired of trying to select filter via trial and error.
Thank you very much for the detailed reply. Exactly what I needed.
In fact, I took a screenshot of it for my future quick reference.
Just one question...do you point the drone lens at the sky only and use the over exposure bars to judge exposure?
Can you recommend an IOS App in which I can just point my iPhone at the sky and determine appropriate ND filter for various frames and shutter speed. I'm getting tired of trying to select filter via trial and error.
Terrific information, thanks for taking the time to lay it all out.It’s a good idea.
For me - I set my exposure on the ground first. Pointing the Drone in the direction of my shot let’s say. That way I can change filters before I launch,
Secondly this hard and fast rule of exactly double shutter speed to frame rate is overstated. All we are trying to do with ND filters is give a natural motion blur. Yet say you are shooting at 25fps and a decent exposure is at 1/80s shutter speed. Yes it’s not double exactly, but it still has a very good natural motion blur, with that in mind. These days I can pretty much guess ND filters spot on beforehand,
Whilst aiming for the 180°shutter rule, I’m happy a little bit either side, Note in bright conditions I also am happy to bump ISO up to say 200/400 (so leaning towards a stronger ND if unsure). In low light though I will forego motion blur for less noise, and lean the other way.
So with that in mind I have in my mind a set of conditions I’ve become pretty good at judging.
-Super sunny high noon bright scene ND32 (snow, highly reflective ocean)
-Sunny bright cloudless day ND16
-bit of cloud cover shot away from sun, bright early in sunsets & sunrises ND8
-cloudy overcast midday, later in sunsets/sunrises and/or with a touch of cloud. ND4 to nothing
-low lighting no ND ever we do not want noise
I’d imagine after using your app You will become adept at judging it by eye anyways after awhile too. That would speed up the learning process.
I think the main takeaway with ND & video is that especially in really bright scenes your motion blur will be super unnatural. These are the conditions in which the ND is super beneficial. Lower light you can get away with it more and not being perfect but pretty close will be barely perceptible anyways. Experiment for yourself see if you can tell between say a perfect 180° shutter rule shot and one that is just a couple of stops away.
My post was all about video but the same basically applies for adding motion blur in photos with ND filters. If you can guess to get around the 180° rule then add subtract filter strength accordingly.
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