Which ND Filter Should You Choose? A Guide to ND2, ND4, ND8 & ND16

Whether you're photographing silky waterfalls, smooth ocean waves, dramatic cloud movement or creating motion blur in busy city scenes, controlling the amount of light entering your camera is essential.

That's exactly what the TruColor® NeutraLight™ Neutral Density (ND) Filter Series was designed to do. Unlike standard visible-light ND filters, NeutraLight filters are specifically engineered for full-spectrum converted cameras, reducing both visible and near-infrared light evenly. This allows photographers to create longer exposures without introducing unwanted color shifts or uneven infrared transmission.

Before & After Comparison

Why Use a Neutral Density Filter?
An ND filter reduces the amount of light reaching your camera sensor without changing the colors of the scene. This allows you to:

• Create long exposures during daylight
• Blur waterfalls and rivers
• Smooth ocean waves
• Capture moving clouds
• Remove crowds through long exposures
• Shoot wide-open apertures in bright sunlight
• Control exposure when photographing in infrared

For photographers using full-spectrum cameras, maintaining balanced visible and infrared transmission is especially important for achieving consistent results.

Designed for Full-Spectrum Cameras
Most traditional ND filters are designed only for visible light. When used on a full-spectrum converted camera, they may transmit infrared differently than visible light, causing exposure inconsistencies or unwanted color shifts. The TruColor® NeutraLight™ Series is engineered specifically for full-spectrum imaging by reducing both visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths together, helping preserve natural color balance while extending exposure times. 

Choosing the Right NeutraLight Filter
ND2 (1 Stop): Ideal for photographers who need just a small reduction in light. Best for:

• Slightly longer exposures
• Bright overcast conditions
• Portrait photography
• Everyday shooting

Light Reduction: 50%

ND4 (2 Stops): A versatile option that offers more flexibility while maintaining manageable shutter speeds. Perfect for:

• Streams
• Small waterfalls
• Landscape photography
• Cloud movement

Light Reduction: 75%

ND8 (3 Stops): One of the most popular strengths for landscape photography. Ideal for:

• Waterfalls
• Rivers
• Coastal scenes
• Moderate daytime long exposures

Light Reduction: 87.5%

ND16 (4 Stops): For photographers looking to create dramatic motion effects. Excellent for:

• Ocean photography
• Large waterfalls
• Busy city scenes
• Long daytime exposures
• Artistic infrared landscapes

Light Reduction: 93.75%

How to Use the NeutraLight Filters

1. Mount the NeutraLight filter on your lens.
2. Compose and focus before beginning the exposure.
3. Switch to manual exposure or shutter priority mode.
4. Increase shutter speed to compensate for the reduced light.
5. Use a tripod for maximum sharpness.
6. Trigger the shutter using a remote release or self-timer.
7. Experiment with different exposure lengths to achieve the desired motion blur.

For full-spectrum cameras, these filters make it easy to extend exposure times while maintaining balanced visible and infrared transmission.

Why Photographers Choose NeutraLight
✔ Designed specifically for full-spectrum converted cameras
✔ Even attenuation of visible and near-infrared light
✔ Preserves natural color balance
✔ Creates beautiful long-exposure effects
✔ Ideal for landscapes, waterfalls, rivers and coastal photography
✔ Available in multiple strengths to match your shooting conditions

Which Filter Is Right for You?
ND2: 1 Stop | Everyday photography, portraits
ND4: 2 Stops | Landscapes, streams
ND8: 3 Stops | Waterfalls, rivers, coastal scenes
ND16: 4 Stops | Dramatic long exposures, moving clouds, oceans

Capture Motion Like Never Before
The TruColor® NeutraLight™ filter family gives photographers using full-spectrum cameras complete creative control over exposure. Whether you're adding a subtle blur to flowing water or creating dramatic long-exposure landscapes, NeutraLight filters reduce visible and infrared light evenly for consistent, natural-looking results. Choose the density that matches your style and discover how slowing down your shutter can transform an ordinary scene into extraordinary imagery.