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B+W FILTERS
800 Series Neutral Density Filters
B+W ND 0.9
No Filter
Creativity by using less light
ND filters or neutral density filters are used if too much light restricts creative possibilities. They reduce the light in accordance with their density. They therefore allow longer exposure times or more widely opened apertures. Applications are highly varied and in some cases experimental.
For very bright motifs in the snow or on the beach the aperture would also have to be closed, despite minimum exposure time. This would mean losing the option of short depth of field, e. g. for portraits. ND filters can produce wipe effects in movements if the exposure time can be extended with the required aperture. A waterfall then no longer appears to be frozen, but as a flowing motion. ND filters create ingenious effects in architecture or urban photography. With long exposure times of several hours, people walking through the shot are blurred or not reproduced at all.
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The B+W ND filters are exclusively available in the premium XS-PRO mount with MRC Nano coatings, and suitable on lenses as wide as 10mm on an APS-C sensor.
ND 0.6 (802)
This B+W ND filter, which reduces the light by two f-stops, already shows a clear effect on your photographs such as requiring f/4 instead of f/8 for selective focus or 1/15 sec instead of 1/60 sec for a long exposure effect. The filter is color-neutral, and it should be part of any basic DSLR photography equipment kit.
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ND 0.9 (803)
This B+W ND filter reduces the light by three f-stops and is particularly interesting for video when no suitable aperture can be selected in bright light or when a specific, small DOF is required. With this filter, distinct flow of water effect becomes apparent. The B+W 803 ND filter 0.9 is also ideal for shooting photos with a wipe effect.
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ND 1.8 (806)
This B+W ND filter, which reduces light entering the camera by six f-stops, already qualifies as an extreme filter. With this filter, and without changing the aperture (and DOF), an exposure time of 1/60 s becomes a full second. Running water is rendered hazy and soft. A tripod is necessary in any case.
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ND 3.0 (810)
With a light reduction of ten f-stops, this ND filter delivers a further intensification compared with the B+W ND 806. Running water virtually transforms into mist. People walking on streets become blurred and indistinct or even invisible. In some cases this involves extremely long exposures of up to one minute. A stable tripod is essential.
Key applications
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Reducing the amount of light entering the camera
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Suitable for both analog and digital cameras
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Selective sharpness by achieving larger apertures – ideal for portraiture
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Long exposures producing a cotton candy effect on moving water and deserted streets void of people and cars
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Wipe effects, continuous light trails
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Made in Germany
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Please note: ND filters must not be used for direct visual solar observation (risk of blinding). They let through UV- and IR-rays which harm the eyes. Special sun filters for direct observation of the sun are available from astronomy suppliers.
With B+W ND 3.0 filter
Without B+W ND filter
Transmission Curves
ND Filter Specs
ND VARIO
Thanks to its variable density, the first B+W Vario ND filter can be adjusted exactly to meet individual requirements. To this end, it comes with a continuous setting function with which the photographer can determine the required density reduction between +1 and +5 f-stops.
For very bright motifs in the snow or on the beach the aperture would also have to be closed, despite minimum exposure time. This would mean losing the option of short depth of field, e. g. for portraits. ND filters can produce wipe effects in movements if the exposure time can be extended with the required aperture. A waterfall then no longer appears to be frozen, but as a flowing motion. ND filters create ingenious effects in architecture or urban photography. With long exposure times of several hours, people walking through the shot are blurred or not reproduced at all.
​
The B+W ND filters are exclusively available in the premium XS-PRO mount with MRC Nano coatings, and suitable on lenses as wide as 10mm on an APS-C sensor.
Tip
With long exposure times, DSLR photographers should cover or close the optical viewfinder in order to avoid exposure measuring errors. At very high densities, slight color shifts in the image may occur.
These can subsequently be eliminated by using white balance or by working in RAW format in the image-processing program.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (ND VARIO VALUES + SIZES)
