Camera Craniums: The Photography Community for Enthusiasts

I recently acquired one of those 'big stoppa' (ND10) filters wit which to experiment - i do like the pearlescent water or blurred cloud look that is gaine by attaching a piece of welding glass to the lens.

My thought though is this - i've always been given to believe that when using such a filter you have to manually focus then slide filter into place and hold remote release for a substantial numbers of seconds (usually enough to make a cup of tea).

Well, tested mine out and was somewhat amazed to discover that the camera could actually focus right through this piece of commercially produced welding glass, and i didn't have time to make the cup of tea - 15-20 seconds seeming to be as long as i need  :-\

Has any one any experience of using these filters and can you enlighten me on your usage in relation to my expectations and experience...

That's interesting. I've never tried focussing through my filter. I always focus then attach the filter.
I will definately try your method.

I have done both.  In bright light my 10 stop will allow me to focus through it. 

Quote from: donoreo on November 19, 2013, 05:35:54 PM
I have done both.  In bright light my 10 stop will allow me to focus through it.

that may explain it then - more 'sunnier' days give the extra light to allow the AF to work as designed. I think my test day was getting near the end of daylight and probably had low sun which often producers that much brighter light.

Waiting for the weather to be a bit more suitable for those wonderfuls effects this filter can produce - but clear skies and water at either low or high tide is not really dooing it  :-\