Neutral Density filter reducing light by 8 stops. Used for extreme lighting conditions or very long exposures.
Definition
The ND 2.4 is a neutral density filter with 8 stops of light reduction (2⁴ = 16:1). Reduces incident light by 99.4% without color shift.
Practical Application
Use in strong daylight or intense light sources:
- Keep aperture open: Shallow depth of field in bright light
- Motion blur: Longer shutter speeds without overexposure
- Sensor protection: Avoiding highlight clipping
- Workflow continuity: Consistent aperture/ISO settings between interior and exterior shots
Technical Details
Specifications for film production:
- Density: 2.4 (optical density)
- Transmission: 0.6% of original light
- Available sizes: 4x4", 4x5.65", 6x6", matte box filters
- Materials: Glass (high quality) or resin (more affordable)
Practical Tips
- Calibrate exposure meter: Add +8 stops to the measured time
- Pull focus before inserting filter (potential focus shift)
- Prefer graduated ND filters for sky-to-ground balance
- Clean only with lint-free cloths and isopropyl alcohol
Professional Standards
ND filters are essential equipment for:
- Outdoor shoots in sunshine (f/2.8 instead of f/22)
- Waterfalls, traffic: Motion blur at 1/2s instead of 1/500s
- Interview setups: Constant aperture regardless of time of day
- RED, ARRI Cameras: Protection against sensor saturation
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