| name | nd-filters-for-controlled-light |
| description | Use when shooting outdoors in bright light. ND filter blocks light without affecting color.
|
ND Filters for Controlled Light
ND (Neutral Density) filter = sunglasses for the lens. Maintains correct shutter (1/50 at 24fps) in bright light.
ND filter strengths
| Filter | Stops blocked | Use |
|---|
| ND2 | 1 stop | Slightly bright |
| ND4 | 2 stops | Outdoor shade |
| ND8 | 3 stops | Cloudy outdoor |
| ND16 | 4 stops | Sunny outdoor |
| ND32 | 5 stops | Bright sun |
| ND64 | 6 stops | Very bright |
| Variable ND | 2-6 stops | Adjustable, convenient |
Why ND for video
Without ND in bright light:
- Forced to f/16+ (deep DoF, no bokeh)
- Or forced to fast shutter (choppy motion)
- Or forced to ISO 50 (often not native)
With ND:
- Maintain f/2.8 (shallow DoF)
- Maintain shutter 1/50 (natural motion blur)
- Maintain native ISO (clean image)
Variable ND vs fixed ND
Variable ND: convenient but can introduce X-pattern, color cast at extremes
Fixed ND: cleanest image quality, need multiple filters
Pro setup: fixed NDs for cleanest results. Travel: variable ND for flexibility.
Where this fits in the X3 empire
Used for CardPrepAI outdoor + bright window shoots.