The Formatt 4x5.65" HD Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.3 Water White Glass - Hard Edge filter has been specially formulated following extensive research into new applications for A.C.T. molecular dyes. The filters offer a more neutral grey without the specular effects of particulate coatings found in current neutral density and graduated neutral density filters.nnIt is often necessary or desirable to balance the light intensity of one part of a scene with another. This is especially true in situations where you do not have complete control over the lighting, such as in bright and contrasty landscapes. Exposing for the foreground will produce a washed-out and overexposed sky, whilst exposing for the sky will leave the foreground dark and underexposed. This filter allows correct exposure of cloud detail in the image.nnDetermining which graduated neutral density filter gives ideal results for a given lighting situation requires knowledge, experience and a collection of such filters. Choose the filter strength that adjusts the lighting to stay within the exposure latitude (greatest difference between light/dark values) that still shows detail in the digital or film medium used.nnGenerally, the 2-stop value (ND 0.6 - the clear part of the filter passes 4 times more light than the densest part) effectively compensates for average bright sky versus foreground situations, and the soft transition is more often applicable to a scene than the hard transition.nnFormatt, a company with three generations of experience in manufacturing professional filters, produces each filter to the highest technical standards. The finest materials, combined with cutting-edge production technology, have resulted in a level of optical excellence unmatched elsewhere.nnn- This filter allows the user more precise control; Designed for HD (High Definition), these filters can be used to enhance colour contrast as well as normal light reduction - An example is increasing sky detail in overcast and dull weathern- Formatt HD neutral density filters have the same densities and light stops as Kodak Wratten standardsn- These filters are also available in full rounds from 40.5 to 138 mm and in all common square sizesn- They are also available as graduated filters with soft and hard edges.nnnNeutral density filters have four main usesnn- To allow the use of slow shutter speeds, especially with fast films, to record motion of subjects such as waterfalls, clouds or carsn- To decrease depth of field by allowing the use of wider apertures, which helps to separate subjects from their backgroundn- To decrease the effective ISO of fast films (above 400 ISO) and allow their use outdoors in bright situationsn- To allow cinema and video cameras (which have fixed shutter speeds) to film subjects such as snow, sand or other bright scenes that could cause overexposurennnnNeutral density factorsnn- ND.3 (exposure adjustment = 1 stop, reduces ISO by 1/2)n- ND.6 (exposure adjustment = 2 stops, reduces ISO by 1/4)n- ND.9 (exposure adjustment = 3 stops, reduces ISO by 1/8)n- ND1.2 (exposure adjustment = 4 stops, reduces ISO by 1/16)