When you want to get more out of your camera’s capabilities, you can use filters. Filters are a great way to change the tones, contrast, and overall impact of any image that you would normally capture with the lens of your camera. Neutral density filters lower the quantity of light that reaches the image sensor of the camera. The drop in light is consistent across the visible spectrum (or it should be).
Longer exposure or a larger aperture might be employed when less light reaches the image sensor. Even in bright sunshine, a larger aperture may be employed to minimize diffraction and obtain a shallow depth of field. These filters are utilized by professional photographers, but in case you want to know what are the best neutral density filters in 2023, then this guide covers them all.
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How do I choose an ND filter for my camera?
First, consider your photography needs. Once you know what you want to use the ND filter for, consider its size, your budget, and the filter density, usually measured in stops.
What is a Neutral Density Filter? Why Do You Require One?
Have you ever wondered how a beautiful landscape shot with smooth, clear water came to be? Perhaps there was an image with the clouds flashing by that looked incredible? Or you’ve been admiring some classic waterfalls with smooth, soothing water? Long exposure is used to achieve all of these effects in-camera. If you have a little time and patience, they’re actually rather simple to make.
If you’re shooting in night mode or in low-light circumstances, you won’t even need any extra equipment, just a camera (and a tripod) would suffice. You’ll need a neutral density (ND) filter if you’re shooting in the midst of a bright, sunny afternoon. Without one, the scene will be far too bright to allow you to maintain a longer shutter speed without overexposing your photograph. ND filters reduce the light that enters your lens, enabling you to leave your shutter open for a longer time than you might otherwise.
The higher the filter’s optical density, the lighter it will block and the longer the exposure you’ll be able to achieve. ND filters are the way to go if there’s something moving in a sunny landscape (or cityscape) and you want to produce motion blur. When it comes to landscape photography, clouds, swaying grass, trees with swaying leaves, and, of course, water all make excellent subjects.
Best Neutral Density Filters in 2023
Breakthrough Photography X4
The X4 neutral density filter is one of the best and most commonly known neutral density filters that any professional photographer would recommend. It is built to last, with top-notch glass, brass rings, and a unique traction design in the filter holder. It is also built to be extremely tough, having the ability to endure salt, dust, and other abrasive substances. This variety of ND filters is just outstanding if you’re searching for top-notch image quality, superb durability, and stunning design.
It is available in two geometries (square or round), a variety of filter diameters (often 43-77mm), and densities or ‘stops,’ which are determined by the degree of light limitation. The best ND filters provide perfect color accuracy with no loss of image quality or sharpness. . The X4 neutral density filter is available in a wide range of circular and square ND filter diameters. For the 95mm circular filter and the two square filter sizes, there’s also a magnetic alternative.
The X4 ND from Breakthrough Photography is, without a doubt, one of the greatest ND filters for the money. It comes in three, six, ten, and fifteen-stop densities. They’re not only exceptionally sharp, but they’re also the world’s most color-neutral ND filter. These are very excellent all-around filters. Their design and performance are excellent, their guarantee and support are unrivaled, and there is no visible color cast with the 10- and 15-stop ND filters.
Pros
- Completely color-neutral
- Great support with a 25-year warranty
- Extremely crisp
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- The 3, 6, and 10 filters are 1/2 stop darker than they claim to be.
SLR Magic Variable ND Filter Mark II
Another one of the top recommended ND filters is the MK-II. It provides excellent image quality at an affordable price. This filter has outstanding build quality, and you would really love the side lever. It makes using the filter a snap, and you can do it while recording without putting your fingers in front of the lens or risking scratching the glass. There is a tiny shade change with this filter, but it is a lovely and warm one.
When compared to some of the other filters on this lens, it doesn’t have as broad a range of stops. However, this is an intentional choice by SLR Magic since it allows the filter to be used over the whole spectrum. However, if you’re shooting in really bright settings with a short depth-of-field, you’ll need to stack another ND filter on top. This can result in a little more vignetting, especially when taking wide angles, but it’s still workable.
The SLR Magic Variable ND Filter comes highly recommended, and if you get the 82mm version instead for less vignetting, you will have the opportunity to use it with bigger diameter cinema lenses.
Pros
- Excellent build quality.
- Minimal loss of sharpness.
- A pleasant warm color shift.
- Multi-coating prevents lens flares.
Cons
- There is a limited range of stops.
Extreme ND Z-Pro by Cokin Nuances
The Nuances Extreme range of ND filters from Cokin comes next on our list. The company is known for selling top-of-the-line square filters and providing outstanding performance at a reasonable price. These filters’ glass has undergone a novel tempering procedure, making it four times stronger than most other glass filters. Cokin Z-Pro ND filters are available in three distinct sizes and three different density variants (3-, 6-, and 10-stop).
The holder has a particular light-blocking gasket that stops wayward light from hitting your camera sensor while in use, allowing you to utilize many filters at once. Cokin has also developed several new coatings for their neutral density filter series that provide excellent density uniformity from the corners to the center. Anti-glare coatings are included on the Nuances Extreme Z-Pro ND filters, which help to reduce surface reflections.
They’re also available in a package with a neutral density filter holder, adapters, and both fixed and graded ND filters. If you’re on a budget and want to use square filters, this is a great option.
Pros
- Perfect f/stop precision
- Anti-glare coatings
- A wide range of lens diameters covered
- Tempered, shock-resistant glass
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
- It has a faint color cast
LEE Filters 100×100mm IRND ProGlass
LEE Filters are difficult to top in terms of pure quality. It’s an excellent choice for the photographer who demands the finest, with six density settings ranging from 2 stops to a massive 15 stops. The new ProGlass IRND line sets a new standard for ND filter performance, and while it’s not cheap, it’s truly among the finest.
In the past, LEE filters were notorious for having a chilly color cast, but that is no longer the case, with the IRND range of filters offering pitch-perfect color fidelity in testing. Sharpness was excellent in both the corners and the center of the frames. The designation IRND refers to the fact that the filters have been coated to exclude infrared and ultraviolet light, resulting in improved visual contrast and clarity.
It does require some assembly: you’ll need a 100mm filter holder (LEE100 holder) as well as a converter ring to attach it to your lens. Calculating exposures with such a strong filtering effect can be difficult; therefore, LEE has thoughtfully included a supported software that assists you in determining the best exposure duration for a balanced image.
Pros
- Density possibilities are several.
- Pitch-perfect color fidelity.
- The image quality is excellent.
- Filter sizes that are adaptable.
Cons
- Quality isn’t inexpensive.
XS-Pro Digital Nano ND MRC B+W
The new XS-pro line from Nano B+W is a significantly more capable filter for you if you want to push your photography skills to the limits. They’re composed of considerably finer glass and contain a variety of multi-resistant coatings (MRC), such as anti-reflective and dirt/water repellent properties. Furthermore, the visuals are crisp, and the light blockage is consistent. The harsher filters (e.g. 10-stop) have a color cast that may be readily removed in post-production.
The build quality of the B+W XS-Pro ND filters is one of its best features. They are simple to attach and release – some even say they screw themselves on. They also have a relatively small profile while having threads for stacking additional filters on top. Some customers have complained about vignetting while using wide-angle lenses, although many others appear to be satisfied.
For many, B+W XS-Pro ND filters serve as a baseline against which other ND filters are measured. However, we think they’re a little overpriced for the performance. Nonetheless, the build quality is unrivaled, and they’re well-known for being a reliable performer, particularly with their 3-stop ProND filter.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Easy to install even after years of usage
- Slim profile
- Accepts lens covers and/or additional filters
Cons
- 6-stop and 10-stop filters are 1/3 stop too dark
- Has a color cast and reduced clarity at higher stops
Firecrest ND by Formatt-Hitech
Formatt Hitech provides a wide choice of circular and square filters. The Firecrest ND filter series from the firm comes in densities ranging from 1-stop to 10-stops in single-stop increments, but that’s only half the story. Because of their big size, they are rather expensive, but you receive a high-quality filter at the end of the day.
Instead of colored resin, these filters are built from 2mm thick Schott Superwite glass with the multi-coating glued in the center, as opposed to colored resin. As a consequence, the Firecrest filters are more scratch-resistant than traditional dyed resin filters, and they’re also neutral across all spectrums, offering superb color accuracy.
Pros
- Exceptional quality.
- Various densities and sizes are available.
- Durable.
Cons
- Larger sizes are more costly.
Choosing an ND Filter: A Buyer’s Guide
When purchasing an ND filter, there are the following things to keep in mind.
ND filters With A Round Shape:
A circular ND filter is great if you only plan on using it with one lens thread diameter. It is, however, easy to operate and lets in very little light. You can use stepping rings to adapt a bigger filter to suit a smaller lens (but not the other way around) if you wish to adapt it for different lenses.
Square ND filter:
Square ND filters are versatile and may be used with a variety of lenses. To avoid disappointment, double-check that the filter is correctly fitted to prevent light leakage. A square ND system allows you to layer filters like a polarizer or graded ND filter for even more appealing photos.
Variable ND filters:
These handy small filters have variable densities and are especially useful for managing exposure in the video. Neutral density filters should, as the name implies, stay neutral. While color casts may be removed with picture editing software, fuzziness caused by poor glass quality will be considerably more difficult to remove.
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FAQ’s
Is It Worthwhile To Invest In A Neutral Density Filter?
There’s no finer filter for in-camera effects like smoothing water or streaking clouds. ND filters are well worth the investment if you want to capture more creative in-camera effects, especially if you’re a landscape photographer.
What Is The Best Neutral Density Filter For Landscape Photography?
Neutral Density Filters in the shape of squares or rectangles are the best option. These are popular for landscape photography since they allow you to stack many filters at once with little to no vignetting danger.