The Ultimate Guide to ND Filters for Video Cinematography

Neutral Density (ND) filters are one of the most powerful tools in a cinematographer’s kit. They allow you to take control of exposure without compromising depth of field, giving your footage that cinematic look even in harsh lighting conditions. Whether you’re shooting outdoors on a bright day or working with wide apertures for shallow depth of field, ND filters can be the difference between flat, overexposed video and visually stunning cinematography.

Why ND Filters Matter

In filmmaking, exposure is typically managed with three key variables: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. But what happens when you want to shoot at a wide aperture (like f/1.8) for creamy background blur, but the sun is blasting your scene? Stopping down the aperture ruins the depth of field, lowering the ISO may not be enough, and increasing shutter speed can make motion look unnatural.

This is where ND filters shine. By acting like sunglasses for your camera lens, ND filters reduce the amount of light entering without affecting color balance. This means you can maintain your desired aperture and shutter settings while still achieving proper exposure.

👉 For a deeper dive into how frame rate and shutter angle influence exposure and motion blur, check out our High-Speed and High-Frame Rate Filming Guide (opens in a new tab).

Types of ND Filters

1. Solid ND Filters

Solid ND filters come in fixed strengths (measured in stops). For example, an ND8 reduces light by 3 stops, while an ND64 cuts it by 6 stops. They’re known for consistency and image quality but require swapping filters if lighting conditions change.

• Best for: controlled environments, narrative filmmaking, or when maximum image quality is essential.

• External reference: Learn more about ND ratings on B&H Photo’s ND Filter Guide.

2. Variable ND Filters

Variable ND filters use two layers of polarizing glass to let you dial in different levels of light reduction, usually between 2 and 8 stops. They’re incredibly versatile, making them perfect for run-and-gun shooters, travel filmmakers, and anyone working in dynamic lighting conditions.

• Best for: documentary, weddings, or outdoor videography where light changes quickly.

• Caution: cheaper variable NDs can cause color shifts or “X-pattern” artifacts at high density.

• External reference: See how Sony integrates ND into some of their professional cinema cameras.

Using ND Filters with the Sony A7III

The Sony A7III is a popular hybrid camera among filmmakers. Pairing it with ND filters unlocks its true cinematic potential. When shooting in S-Log profiles or wide dynamic range conditions, ND filters help keep highlights under control without forcing you to alter your preferred settings.

A recommended setup:

• Variable ND (2–5 stops) for general outdoor shooting.

• Solid ND (6–10 stops) for extremely bright situations like midday sun.

• Use step-up rings to adapt larger NDs (77mm/82mm) to multiple lenses without buying duplicates.

For a gear guide on step-up rings and filter kits, check out Adorama’s ND filter collection.

Exposure Control Without Sacrifices

The real power of ND filters lies in creative freedom. They allow you to:

• Shoot wide open for shallow depth of field, even in daylight.

• Maintain the 180° shutter rule (shutter speed = 2x frame rate) for natural motion blur.

• Avoid overexposure when filming in log profiles.

Pairing ND filters with high-frame-rate shooting (like 120fps or 240fps) gives you complete control over slow-motion footage and motion consistency. For more on this, revisit our High-Speed and High-Frame Rate Filming Guide (opens in a new tab).

Final Thoughts

If your goal is cinematic video, ND filters are non-negotiable. Variable NDs provide flexibility, while solid NDs deliver maximum quality. Combine them smartly with your Sony A7III or any cinema camera, and you’ll have the tools to handle any lighting situation.

Keywords: ND filters, variable ND, cinematic video, exposure control, Sony A7III ND setup