Formatt Hitech Firecrest Ultra 105mm Neutral Density 1.8 (6 Stops)

Formatt Hitech Firecrest Ultra 105mm Neutral Density 1.8 (6 Stops) | Slow shutter speeds in bright light

The Formatt Hitech Firecrest Ultra 105mm Neutral Density 1.8 (6 Stops) reduces the light reaching your camera by six stops. It’s for photographers who want more control over shutter speed or aperture when the available light would otherwise limit their settings. That makes it especially useful for giving moving water a softer look, or for using a wider aperture in bright conditions. A six-stop reduction turns a metered 1/60-second exposure into about one second, for example, so movement has time to register as a smooth blur. The 105mm designation identifies the filter format to shop for; it’s important to choose a filter that matches your existing setup. This is a specific-strength neutral-density filter, so it’s best when six stops suits the effect you want rather than when you need to vary density from shot to shot.

Planning a longer exposure

Start by metering without the filter, then account for the light reduction when setting your shutter speed. For instance, a 1/1000-second reading becomes roughly 1/15 second after six stops. That’s a practical range for showing movement in clouds or water while keeping the rest of the scene sharp with a steady camera. If you’re working handheld, the longer exposure may make camera movement more apparent, so consider how you’ll support the camera before choosing a slow shutter speed.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Formatt Hitech
• Series: Firecrest Ultra
• Filter size: 105mm
• Neutral density: 1.8 (6 stops)