ND Filter for blurring water

[PeterChinnock]

Hi all,

Recently, a lot of the photos of the day have been long exposures with long skies and blurred water.
So, which is the best ND filter to get on a student budget to achieve this for a 450d with 18-55mm lens?

Many thanks

Peter

[GeoffWessex]

You may as well get a strong filter like the x8 - if you use Cokin system this will set you back around 16 pounds. The better quality would be glass, like the Hoya, which is around double that price but I think does a better job than Cokins - which apparently have a slight colour cast plus run the risk of light 'leakage' around the holder.

[chris-p]

Easy answer, get a screw in ND fader. You rotate it like a circular polariser and they just get darker. They're capable of ND2 to ND400.

They're not really cheap but its the only ND (non-grad) you'll ever need. You can even buy them on eBay and they do work. Several forum members use them (they're no longer around to tell you though!)

[chris-p]

In fact, a rather interesting article appeared today about how to build your own ND fader for not very much money at all.

Basically you stick 2 circular polarisers together at right angles to eachother to block out just about all light and then rotate them to get the effect you want. Its not perfect but if you want to do it on the cheap, you won't get cheaper!

LINK

[PeterChinnock]

Thanks guys!
If I bought a lee filter set up, and am using a Sigma 10-20mm, would you reccomend the wide angle holder?
If i did get the wide angle holder, would it work on my 18-55 if i were to buy the right adaptor?
Thanks
Pete

[AndyStevens]

Yes, you would need the wide angle holder - you might need to limit it to 1 or 2 filter slots too in case you get vignetting (take some test shots and see what happens). And buy the adaptor ring for your 18-55 and you should be fine.

Not sure Lee systems and the Big Stopper come under student budgets though...