B+W 77 mm Graduated #501 Neutral Density (ND) .3 Glass Filter
B&W 77 mm Graduated #501 Neutral Density (ND) .3 (1-stop) Glass Filter - The neutral gray half of this filter transmits 50% of the incoming light so that it darkens the respective portion of the subject by one f-stop without altering its colors.
Often it is necessary or desirable to balance the light intensity in one part of a scene with another. This is especially true in situations where you don't have total light control, as in bright contrasting landscapes. Exposing for the foreground will produce a washed-out, over-exposed sky while exposing for the sky will leave the foreground dark and under-exposed. This filter enables cloud detail to be kept correctly exposed in the picture.
Determining which graduated neutral density filter yields ideal results for any given lighting situation takes knowledge, experience and a collection of such filters. Choose the filter strength which adjusts the lighting to stay within the exposure latitude (greatest difference between bright/dark values) which still shows details in both of the digital or film medium in use.
Speaking generally, the 2-stop value (ND 0.6 - the filter's clear portion allows 4x more light to pass vs. darkest portion) effectively compensates average bright sky-to-foreground situations.
Neutral Density filters have four main uses
- To enable slow shutter speeds to be used, especially with high speed films, to record movement in subjects such as waterfalls, clouds, or cars
- To decrease depth of field by allowing wider apertures to be used, which helps separate subjects from their background
- To decrease the effective ISO of high speed film (above ISO 400) and allow it to be used outdoors in bright situations
- To allow cine and video cameras (which have fixed shutter speeds) to film subjects such as snow, sand or other bright scenes which could cause overexposure
Neutral Density factors
- ND.3 (exposure adjustment = 1 stop, reduces ISO 1/2)
- ND.6 (exposure adjustment = 2 stops, reduces ISO 1/4)
- ND.9 (exposure adjustment = 3 stops, reduces ISO 1/8)
- ND1.2 (exposure adjustment = 4 stops, reduces ISO 1/16)
| Type | Graduated Neutral Density #501 |
| Size | 77 mm |
| Grade | .3 (1-stop) |
| Filter Factor | 1 stop, reduces ISO 1/2 |
| Multi-Coated | No |
| Rotating | No |
| Effect | Balanced light intensity from one part of a scene to another |
| Application | Nature, Travel, Outdoor photography; to maintain light control, as in bright contrasting landscapes; i.e. bright sky, dark foreground |
| Color Temperature | Not specified |
| Construction | CR-39 Acrylic |
| Front Filter Thread Size | 77 mm |
| Front Lens Cap Size | 77 mm |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 2 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 2 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
Comments about B+W 77 mm Graduated #501 Neutral Density (ND) .3 Glass Filter:
Yep, it's a B+W filter, crystal clear and the gradient is very, very smooth. Also, the filter has a rotating ring so you can adjust the effect regardless of external focus problems.
But (and I feel really, really dumb admitting this) sticking this on a non-DX Nikkor lens (IE, a "film lens") on my small-sensor digital body... well, the grad effect is pretty much off the film plane.
I did use it on my Panasonic DVX Video camera and it worked great; kept some density & detail in a beautiful cloudy sky. The .3 grad is very subtle, good for sunsets & deep clouds; you might want a .6 (2 stops) for effective taming of a bright blue sky though. A nice filter, and worth the extra $$ over a SunPak or a no-brand if you shoot for a living.
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Excellent build quality
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Inconsistent Effect
Best Uses
- Balance Exposure
Comments about B+W 77 mm Graduated #501 Neutral Density (ND) .3 Glass Filter:
This is not a complaint about the filter and the rating does not reflect its build quality - only its usefulness.
The 1-stop (.3) difference between the graduated gray and the clear sides of the filter is too small to make a significant difference in the majority of the situations that I tried. The whole point of this type of filter is to balance exposure in a scene with slightly varying bright and dark areas (i.e. bright sky and slightly darker foreground) and for just about any scene where I tried it, the difference was too small to make a difference. For the cost, I regret not buying at least a 2-stop graduated filter. There is a very very limited window at dusk or dawn where the one-stop difference is enough.
The filter has excellent build and is of top quality but buy it only if you know for certain that a 1-stop gradation is all you need.
Displaying reviews 1-2
Caps & Wrenches
- Price: $4.95
Care & Cleaning
-
- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
What's in the Box
- Ten-Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
