Dropped my glass 165mm Formatt Hitech 6stop ND

I managed to get out shooting yesterday morning.  As many of you know, I enjoy shooting seascapes and getting right up in the action.  Long story short, I was timing my shots between these huge waves hitting up against the rocks at Victorias Beach Tower, Laguna Beach.

My exposure time ranged between 3-8 seconds.  So getting in and out before a wave hit was doable.  Well, that was only after learning the hard way when a sneaky wave got me.  Literally head to toe soaked.  Including my only microfiber cloth and t-shirt I was wearing.  

I went out with just my D810, 14-24mm and (2) 165mm ND filters.  With 1 filter (10 stop ND) soaked and no way to dry and remove water spots.  I had 1 filter left over that was packed away and not wet.  If this one got wet, I was done for the day.  

Game on

I managed to set up, and get out a few times more.  Each time missing the waves breaking up against the rocks I was on.  Then I decided to get greedy and go for a 8 second exposure.  You know, to see how it looked.  Just after I clicked the shutter and waiting for the 8 seconds to go by, I see a huge wave rolling in.  I had my hands on the tripod and camera, ready to pick up and run the instant I heard the shutter click.   {CLICK}  

Forrest Gump would have been proud of my sprint to dry land!  The wave missed me, however just as I was coming to a stop.  The glass filter slipped out, and fell 4 feet.  OUCH!  To be honest, I'm surprised this thing didn't shatter into a million pieces.  Highly recommend these filters ( Formatt Hitech 165 x 165mm Firecrest ND 1.8 Filter ).  Not only are they great for wider focal lengths, they are durable!  

Looks likely a little electric tape and hot glue will be the fix for this!  

Ouch!...What holder are you using, mine is adjustable and I wouldn't tolerate a filter just dropping out. Hope that doesn't render the filter unusable......

That's a big filter!  

How do carry those around when not in use?  I've dropped a glass filter a couple years ago, and that was only a 100mm.  It shattered!  You lucked out.  I bet that should be fine.

Count your blessings Alex !!!

Agree, that could have ended much differently!  At least that filter will see another day!

effron wrote: Ouch!...What holder are you using, mine is adjustable and I wouldn't tolerate a filter just dropping out. Hope that doesn't render the filter unusable......

This one:  www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home...g&is=REG&sku=1235325

But I didn't have the barn doors on it at that time.  I think it will be fine.  I won't let that happen again!  

Oh no!  I'm sorry to hear that.  So why glass over resin?  Seems like resin will last longer?

Glass is superior......

photographylife.com/glass-vs-resin-filters

That was a close call Alex.  From the looks of the photo, that shouldn't effect using it.

Sorry to hear about this Alex.  BTW how are you carrying those filters around?  I'm on the market for a set and haven't figured out how I would carry these around. 

Hey Don, I'm using a regular messenger bag that I've owned for a number of years to hold the filters.  It's a 'Man purse' that I use to use for carrying around my iPad.  Now days, I use it to carry diapers for my son, or filters!