ND filter washed out

[gotoPzero]

Getting some pretty bad results from a K&F nano x ND.

Its only a 2-32 so nothing crazy.

Any ideas? Looks very milky and weird highlights.

[7 5 7]

Time of the day? Just looks like an exposure issue with the the sun over exposing slightly, it does look bright in that scene, or it could simply be a dirty ND filter or camera lens behind it.

I often use a lens hood as much as possible also, helps control this sometimes, with any light coming from the sides, was one used here?

[StevieBee]

What were you hoping to achieve with the ND filter? I would have thought it possible to control the exposure with the basic camera settings. All NDs will affect the colour in someway which can be tweaked later if needed.

[tog]

Looks like flare off the parasol highlights, and overall loss of contrast, both presumably due to the filter. A lens hood may help (or shade the lens from the sun above with your hand) and make sure the filter is properly clean.

[Craikeybaby]

Is that a variable filter? They are actually 2 polarising filters, so can do more than just darken the image by a specific amount.

[gotoPzero]

Its a variable yes, the nano x line are meant to be high quality.

I dont know the technical term but I would describe the issue as florescence.

It was a very, very bright day though. I will have a bit more of a mess about with it.

I was hoping to reduce the glare off the road surfaces for example.

I also find that the roofs in japan can reflect a lot of light especially shrines.

[Whoozit]

Things that have had a similar hazy effect for me are a) dirty glass - clean the lens and the filters really well and b) direct sunlight hitting the filter - use a hood or your hand to block.

The good news is that judicious use of the dehaze tool and contrast tools can turn a washed out image into something usable. Not as good as getting it right in camera of course but where the image is a one off, at least it gives you something.

[gotoPzero]

Will be the sun then as it was 28c and direct sun - hadnt realised it would be an issue till I noticed.

Good job I noticed tbh as I would have left the filter on all day haha

[Simpo Two]

gotoPzero said:

I was hoping to reduce the glare off the road surfaces for example.

I also find that the roofs in japan can reflect a lot of light especially shrines.

To reduce glare use a circular polarising (CP) filter and rotate for best effect. An ND is the wrong tool here; all it does - or should do - is make everything much darker so you can get very long exposures.