A new tool arrived by mail and I was eager to try it out. A 10-stop X4 neutral density filter, made by Breakthrough Photography in San Francisco, CA, was put in front of the Nikkor 16-35, f/4 lens today. I have three of their filters already in my bag and I really love the optical quality. They are much better than any ND or GND filters I have tried before. So why a 10-stop ND filter? Think of blurring waterfalls or smoothing flowing water, as in today’s photo. Not to forget clouds, one of the main reasons I wanted the big stopper.
In my presentations about storytelling in wildlife photography I emphasize how important it is to try out new photo gear in your backyard at home and to become familiar with a new piece of equipment. In my case, that doesn’t always work well for landscape photography, because we live in the woods and are surrounded by trees. But going to local places, where I have shot before and know the location good enough to make a judgement and learn how to use the new tool, is a proven way.
The Julian Dubuque Bridge, that connects Iowa and Illinois across the Mississippi River in Dubuque, has been in the viewfinder quite a few times. We had some nice puffy clouds this evening and I wanted to see how clouds and the water of the big river would turn out with this new 10-stop Breakthrough X4 ND filter. I was at the bridge between 6PM and 6:30PM and for some warmer light I could have waited a little longer. But I knew the remaining clouds would have dissolved pretty soon and I really wanted the clouds for my tests.
For the picture above the meter in camera for the test shots, measured without filter, showed 1/40s at f/20 and ISO100. The app on my phone for calculation of the correct exposure time with ND filter is NDTimer. It suggested 12 seconds and I usually take it slightly higher, so the scene was exposed for 13 seconds. Long enough to hide any truck or car that crossed the bridge and two white speed boats in the background were rendered as just a couple pale stripes on the water. In some other shots, where the boats were closer, I used even 25 seconds exposure time at ISO50. The boats were not even visible in the frame.
The speed of the clouds above the bridge was not very high, but they got blurred around the bridge, while the ones in the background had less movement due to the perspective. I like the way the flowing water of the mighty Mississippi turned out. Sure, there is a lot room for improvement, but I’m again impressed how this filter renders the colors.
As you know, I’m not getting paid by anybody for mentioning gear I use or like and there is no difference with the products of Breakthrough Photography. Their website says:
Breakthrough Photography is a filter research and manufacturing company that designs, manufactures and sells the worlds sharpest and most color neutral ND, UV and CPL filters to over 180+ countries.
Funding Received $760,000 during 3 Kickstarter campaigns
I don’t give a damn about statements like that until I experience what they promise. Here is a word about my little experience that goes beyond the quality of their filters. Yes, I like their filters, the quality how they render the colors and the way they are packed in good fitting and well marked pouches, each of them with a high quality cleaning cloth. So far so good, they are not cheap, but the products are worth the investment.
I lost a few days ago a couple tiny parts from the X100 filter holder (my fault), emailed the service department of Breakthrough and received within less than 24 hours during the weekend a response that spare parts are on their way without any charge. They are not here yet, probably due to the current problems with the US postal service, but for all these reasons I like to mention BREAKTHROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY products and service more than once in my blog post!
