Cinematographer
ND 1.2 intern ist mein Standard bei Tageslicht. 4 Stops Reduktion erlaubt mir, bei hellem Außenlicht mit offener Blende zu arbeiten und die gewünschte Tiefenschärfe zu halten.
Internal neutral density filter with 1.2 optical density (4 stops light reduction) built into professional cinema cameras – the most commonly used internal ND setting for bright outdoor shooting, reducing light by 93.75% to maintain optimal apertures and shutter speeds in full daylight.
What is ND 1.2 Internal?
ND 1.2 Internal is a built-in neutral density filter in professional cameras. With an optical density of 1.2, it reduces light by 4 stops (93.75%) – ideal for bright daylight conditions.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Optical Density | 1.2 |
| Light Reduction | 4 Stops / 93.75% |
| Transmission | 6.25% |
| Position | In front of the sensor |
ND Scale Context
| ND Value | Stops | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1 | 50% |
| 0.6 | 2 | 25% |
| 0.9 | 3 | 12.5% |
| 1.2 | 4 | 6.25% |
| 1.8 | 6 | 1.56% |
Why ND 1.2?
| Situation | Description |
|---|---|
| Sunny Day | Perfect for bright light |
| Wide Aperture | T2-T4 possible in sun |
| 180° Shutter | Standard motion blur |
| Balance | Most common outdoor ND |
ARRI ALEXA ND Positions
| Position | ND Value | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear | 0 |
| 2 | 0.6 | 2 |
| 3 | 1.2 | 4 |
| 4 | 1.8 | 6 |
Practical Example
| Without ND | With ND 1.2 |
|---|---|
| T16 @ ISO 800 | T4 @ ISO 800 |
| T11 | T2.8 |
| T8 | T2 |
Typical Scenarios
| Light | Aperture without ND | Aperture with 1.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | T16-T22 | T4-T5.6 |
| Bright Day | T11-T16 | T2.8-T4 |
| Overcast Bright | T8-T11 | T2-T2.8 |
Cameras with ND 1.2
| Camera | ND Options |
|---|---|
| ARRI ALEXA Mini | Clear, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 |
| ARRI ALEXA 35 | Clear, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 |
| Sony Venice | Clear to 2.4 |
| Canon C500 | Clear, 2, 4, 6 Stops |
Combining with Other NDs
| Internal | + External | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | + 0.3 | 1.5 (5 Stops) |
| 1.2 | + 0.6 | 1.8 (6 Stops) |
| 1.2 | + 0.9 | 2.1 (7 Stops) |
Advantages of Internal
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Fast Switching | Fractions of a second |
| No Vignetting | With wide-angle lenses |
| Protected System | No dust ingress |
| IRND Quality | IR blocking integrated |
Outdoor Shooting Workflow
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Measure light intensity |
| 2 | Determine desired aperture |
| 3 | ND 1.2 as starting point |
| 4 | Fine-tune with 0.6 |
IRND Property
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| IR Cut | Infrared blocked |
| Benefit | No black color cast |
| Quality | Neutral without color cast |
| Standard | In modern cameras |
ND 1.2 vs. Variable ND
| Aspect | ND 1.2 Internal | Variable ND External |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Highest | Varies |
| Flexibility | Fixed 4 Stops | Stepless |
| Cross-Polarization | None | Possible |
| Cost | Included in camera | Additional cost |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Start with sun | Most common starting point |
| Combine with 0.6 | For 6 stops |
| Stay consistent | Within a scene |
| Document | For continuity |
Today
ND 1.2 Internal is the standard filter for outdoor shooting with professional cinema cameras. The 4-stop reduction allows for creative aperture work in bright daylight without external filter solutions. For cinematographers, the "ND 1.2" setting in sunshine is often the first choice.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Internes ND 1.2 bedeutet, dass wir schnell zwischen Innen- und Außenszenen wechseln können. Der Kameramann schaltet einfach um, ohne Filterwechsel.
Producer
Kameras mit internem ND 1.2 beschleunigen Außendrehs erheblich. Die Zeitersparnis bei Tageslicht-Locations rechtfertigt Premium-Kameras.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „ND 1.2 intern / Interner ND-Filter 1.2 / Eingebauter ND 4-Stop"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?