What Neutral Density Filter To Buy Guide

Start with a 6-stop filter for versatile long exposures of 1–2 minutes during "golden hour".

A 10-stop (or "Big Stopper") is necessary to blur moving clouds or make people "disappear" from busy cityscapes in broad daylight. Top Product Picks for 2026 Filter Type Key Features Price Range Best Overall (Square) Lee Filters 100x100 ProGlass IRND Go to product viewer dialog for this item. what neutral density filter to buy

Industry-leading optical quality; blocks IR and UV to prevent color casts. Best Variable ND PolarPro Peter McKinnon Edition II Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Start with a 6-stop filter for versatile long

Buying a neutral density (ND) filter depends on your specific goals, whether you're a landscape photographer wanting silky waterfalls or a videographer needing to maintain a cinematic shutter speed. Industry-leading optical quality; blocks IR and UV to

Excellent glass quality that maintains sharpness at an accessible price. ~$54–$115 Cokin Nuances Extreme ND Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

A 3-stop filter allows you to shoot "wide-open" (e.g., f/1.4 or f/1.8) in bright sunlight for a shallow depth of field.

A Variable ND (VND) filter is ideal for quickly adjusting exposure while keeping a fixed shutter speed (the 180-degree rule).