{"id":34094,"date":"2017-07-14T07:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T11:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=34094"},"modified":"2026-02-02T14:21:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:21:56","slug":"nd-filter-vs-polarizer-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/nd-filter-vs-polarizer-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"ND Filter vs Polarizer: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are hundreds of different types of lens filters on the market, but none more important or commonly used than the ND filter<\/a> and the polarizing filter<\/a>. Neutral Density (ND) filters are like sunglasses for your lens. They reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor, allowing you to have greater control over the depth of field in your image (via aperture) or the shutter speed. On the other hand, polarizing filters remove glare from things in your image, like foliage, water, glass, and more. Both of these filters are highly effective and useful for both photography and videography, so it’s recommended to carry both styles of filter in your bag. In this article, we\u2019ll outline the differences between ND filters and polarizing filters and when you should consider using each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>ND Filters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A high-quality ND filter<\/a> has no color cast and only darkens the image by preventing light from hitting the sensor. This comes in handy when you are trying to access specific camera settings to achieve a particular look in your photos or videos. For photography, using an ND filter can allow you to manipulate shutter speed or aperture settings for creative looks in your image. For videography, an ND filter can help you reach the proper shutter speed to capture your desired framerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This
Photo by Austin James Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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A 5-stop ND filter helped me to slow down the shutter speed and blur the movement of the water in the image above. Below is without a filter, where I was unable to slow down the shutter speed any further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Austin James Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>When to Use an ND Filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ND filters are particularly useful in two types of situations. First, when you want to capture very long exposures, such as a waterfall<\/a> or moving clouds. Longer exposures help you to blur motion in the scene, which is a popular technique for photographing streams and fast-moving clouds. ND filters can also help you shoot at wide open apertures in broad daylight. Even at base ISO and your camera\u2019s fastest shutter speed, exposing an image in direct sunlight at the maximum aperture during the daytime can result in overexposed images. The use of an ND filter helps you to maintain proper exposure and the best depth of field in your images and videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>How to Pick ND Filters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Picking the right ND filter can be a painstaking process. With so many options on the market, knowing which one is right for you might seem impossible. ND filters are measured by how many stops of light they block, such as a 3-stop ND filter, which blocks three stops of light, or by a numerical factor, such as ND8, which means the filter transmits \u215b of the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who want an all-in-one option, many companies have started making variable ND filters, where a simple turn of the filter adjusts the amount of light transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n