The first morning on this ice beach here in Iceland was overcast. The sky was dark and brooding, and in contrast with the blue glacial ice it was beautiful. For this shot of a uniquely shaped chunk of ice, I used a 10 f/stop ND filter which allowed me to shoot with a 30 second exposure. The waves blurred perfectly giving this image an ethereal look. I used my 100-400mm Canon zoom for this picture. The filter size for this lens is 77mm. I only had an 82mm neutral density filter with me because I was anticipating using it with the 16-35mm III Canon wide angle zoom. So, to use the larger size filter on the telephoto lens, I realized quickly that I couldn't hold it in place because over 30 seconds, the lens moved just enough to blur the ice. Therefore, I actually hung the filter over the lip of the lens and kept my hand under the lens in case the filter fell off. It was a tenuous situation, but because there wasn't any wind, this worked. The next morning I tried the same thing in high wind and the filter simply blew right off. My settings for this were 30 seconds, f/7.1, ISO 100, and the focal length was 400mm.
5 Comments
Mar 27, 2017, 7:42:18 PM
Jim - Thank you very much, Elsa.
Bob -- I can't meter through the 10-stop ND filter. Therefore, I pre-focus and compose the shot, then put the filter on. I then switch to manual mode and through trial and error find the right exposure combination.
Fred --the electrical tape would have been a great idea if I had had that with me. My ND filter is made by Kenko. I bought it in Iceland because I forgot to bring mine from home. The Singh Ray filters are among the best, but I've been very happy with the less expensive Kenko 82mm filter.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:48:13 AM
Bob Turner - Great images. I also enjoyed the ice beach and aurora a few years ago. The 10 S filter has always given me issues in the field. Can you elaborate on pre focus and shutter speed or did you use the meter. I have had poor results using meter and 10 S
Mar 27, 2017, 7:42:11 AM
Frederic Hore - Superb photo Jim.
What make was your ND filter? I tested a very pricey B&W 10 stop, and found it had a pink cast. I returned it to the supplier. I'm currently considering the Singh-Ray 10 stop.
About holding an oversized filer over a lens - in the past, I have used black electrical tape for this function - it works great. The 3M brand of electrical tape remains elastic, even under sub-zero temperatures, and not too gummy, unlike gaffer's tape. I also use electrical tape, to wrap over the lid of my CF memory cards when they're full, on cam battery contacts when the energy has been expended. They provide a quick visual cue not to grab them when a quick change of either is required. It also works great to secure filters on my flashes.
Any residual gumminess is easily cleaned off with rubbing alcohol.
Cheers and thanks from Montréal
Mar 27, 2017, 7:06:18 AM
Elsa Gary - Breathtakingly beautiful Jim!
Mar 27, 2017, 6:30:50 AM
Winslow Tonson - Love these ice pics Jim!!