How do you focus with a 10 stop ND filter?

9 years 2 months ago #423170 by Mark T
How are others doing this.  When I have this filter on, I have to look through the view finder and almost strain to see and adjust the focus.  Even still, I don't always get it.  There must be a trick to this?  

Please help.  Thank you


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9 years 2 months ago #423175 by Screamin Scott
Focus & compose the scene prior to putting on the filter (on a tripod of course)...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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9 years 2 months ago #423186 by Joves
:agree:
The good old fashioned tried, and true way. Then all you do is adjust for the proper exposure with the filer on. This is also why I use square gels. It is faster.


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9 years 2 months ago #423194 by effron
Not only the square system is faster, but focusing and then screwing on a ten stop is asking for out of focus shots. My Lee system was worth every cent!....;)

Why so serious?
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9 years 2 months ago #423197 by Screamin Scott
I'll agree about the square filters being faster to set up & use. As for shots being out of focus with the screw in filter, that's a bit of a stretch. Reason being is that most times people are trying to use them to slow down moving water. In that scenario, the lens is going to be stopped down considerably as well as using the filter, meaning having a greater depth of field & thus slight, if any, chance of focus issues...

effron wrote: Not only the square system is faster, but focusing and then screwing on a ten stop is asking for out of focus shots. My Lee system was worth every cent!....;)


Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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9 years 2 months ago #423365 by Ryan711
That's what I do too.  When the filter isn't on lens, I focus then, then screw on the filter.  


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9 years 2 months ago #423366 by Ryan711
*make sure you have autofocus off, because otherwise your camera will mess up your focus.  


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9 years 2 months ago #423383 by effron

Screamin Scott wrote: I'll agree about the square filters being faster to set up & use. As for shots being out of focus with the screw in filter, that's a bit of a stretch. Reason being is that most times people are trying to use them to slow down moving water. In that scenario, the lens is going to be stopped down considerably as well as using the filter, meaning having a greater depth of field & thus slight, if any, chance of focus issues...

effron wrote: Not only the square system is faster, but focusing and then screwing on a ten stop is asking for out of focus shots. My Lee system was worth every cent!....;)


What I meant was fiddling with the filter after the lens focus has been set. I'm a fumbler and it doesn't take much to disturb the focused camera. The comment had nothing to do with depth of field.......;)

Why so serious?
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9 years 2 months ago #423461 by tCampbell
Frame up, screw on, take the photo


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9 years 1 month ago #423800 by TGonzo

tCampbell wrote: Frame up, screw on, take the photo



Frame up, screw on, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, take the photo   ;) 


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9 years 1 month ago #424842 by ast888
You can also use the live screen if this is available for you. This is what I did after botching a lot of photgraphs on focus and screw. 


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9 years 1 month ago #428692 by Colorado Mike

Screamin Scott wrote: Focus & compose the scene prior to putting on the filter (on a tripod of course)...



:agree:  


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9 years 3 weeks ago #428735 by Carlos
That's why you want a Lee filter so you can slide on and off quick and easy between framing up and taking the shot. 

(2) Canon 7D, Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, 50mm f/1.4 USM, 85mm f/1.8 USM, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM, Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6
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9 years 1 day ago #433024 by Jeffster
That's why having a filter that slides on and off is helpful


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8 years 11 months ago #434457 by Carry

Jeffster wrote: That's why having a filter that slides on and off is helpful



:agree:  Lee Filter  


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