ND filters help/recommendation for t2i

Hi all,
Looking for some advice on what ND filters to buy for a canon t2i. My main objective is to shoot video using the correct exposure at 1/50 outside in bright light. The lenses that I use are the kit EF-S 18-55mm lens, and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. What basic ND filters should I buy to get my desired results? I’m fine with low end ones and have around 100-150$ to spend for a few filters. Also what mm do I need to buy to fit the lenses?
Thanks
 
I really like my Light Craft Workshop Fader (variable ND) filter. I went with 77mm and bought step down rings to fit my various lens.

Hi all,
Looking for some advice on what ND filters to buy for a canon t2i. My main objective is to shoot video using the correct exposure at 1/50 outside in bright light. The lenses that I use are the kit EF-S 18-55mm lens, and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. What basic ND filters should I buy to get my desired results? I’m fine with low end ones and have around 100-150$ to spend for a few filters. Also what mm do I need to buy to fit the lenses?
Thanks
 
If you want to go with cheaper filters in that budget, still get a variable ND filter.

It says on your lens what size you need, but I looked it up. The kit lens is 58mm, the 50mm 1.8 is 52mm.

What you should do is buy the biggest filter you need (or will need) and step up rings.

Personally, I would start with this. It's 77mm, but will work on any photo lens you buy or rent in the future with the appropriate $2 step up ring:
http://cgi.ebay.com/POLAROID-VARIAB...ra_Filters&hash=item2eb4ee69be#ht_3455wt_1141

If you want to stick to what you have now, get this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/POLAROID-VARIABLE-FADER-ND-58mm-NEUTRAL-DENSITY-FILTER-/200604180584?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item2eb4f0e068#ht_3455wt_1141

Then Step-up rings. I'll assume you go the 77 route, so you'll need these two:
52-77 Step up Ring:
http://cgi.ebay.com/52mm-77mm-Step-Up-Filter-Ring-52-77-mm-Stepping-Adapter-/180603849262?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0cd40a2e#ht_1970wt_1141

58-77 Step Up Ring:
http://cgi.ebay.com/58mm-77mm-58-77mm-Step-Up-Lens-Filter-Ring-Adapter-/260771225254?pt=US_Filter_Rings_Holders&hash=item3cb72d1ea6#ht_2613wt_959

And it looks like you're set for $60ish.

That's the crappy filter option. The nice brand filter that will last you forever is $125 on ebay buy it now, you can maybe bid on it cheaper elsewhere:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Light-Craft-Workshop-FADER-ND-mark-II-MK2-Filter-77mm-/140433607024?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item20b27ec970

Double the price, but the cheap ones are junk and you say you have the budget for it.
 
The filter thread size might vary by lens. It is marked on the front of each lens as Ø58 - for a 58mm threadsize, for example. Just look for the number after the Ø

You might find a Polariser filter useful, too. One of it's additional properties is essentialy an ND as well.
 
I understand Variable ND filters can be rather expensive while making your own is not.

Looks like your T2i EF-S 18-55mm lens has a 58mm filter thread:
http://www.t2icanon.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/t2i_canon_muka1.jpg

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...+variable+ND+filter&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Maybe there's a "notable" quality difference between the $34 and $310 V-ND filters.


http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=58...+filter&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Looks like eight bucks for a couple of these cheapies and an hour of driving and fiddling at the kitchen table might or might not be worth the DIY "fun factor".
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...ild a variable ND filter&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw

One of the more useful how-tos;
http://www.petapixel.com/2010/08/27/how-to-build-a-cheap-and-simple-variable-neutral-density-filter/
Buy circular polariser filters.


Anyone out there in IT-land ever try this stuff?
 
variable ND's are super useful and work well in certain situations. THey are not as good when you want to maintain a completely consistent stop, if you are metering, and in the end they are definitely a little soft.
 
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