Internal neutral density filter with 1.2 optical density (4 stops light reduction) built into professional cinema cameras – the most commonly used internal ND setting for bright outdoor shooting, reducing light by 93.75% to maintain optimal apertures and shutter speeds in full daylight.
What is ND 1.2 Internal?
ND 1.2 Internal is a built-in neutral density filter in professional cameras. With an optical density of 1.2, it reduces light by 4 stops (93.75%) – ideal for bright daylight conditions.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Optical Density | 1.2 |
| Light Reduction | 4 Stops / 93.75% |
| Transmission | 6.25% |
| Position | In front of the sensor |
ND Scale Context
| ND Value | Stops | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1 | 50% |
| 0.6 | 2 | 25% |
| 0.9 | 3 | 12.5% |
| 1.2 | 4 | 6.25% |
| 1.8 | 6 | 1.56% |
Why ND 1.2?
| Situation | Description |
|---|---|
| Sunny Day | Perfect for bright light |
| Wide Aperture | T2-T4 possible in sun |
| 180° Shutter | Standard motion blur |
| Balance | Most common outdoor ND |
ARRI ALEXA ND Positions
| Position | ND Value | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear | 0 |
| 2 | 0.6 | 2 |
| 3 | 1.2 | 4 |
| 4 | 1.8 | 6 |
Practical Example
| Without ND | With ND 1.2 |
|---|---|
| T16 @ ISO 800 | T4 @ ISO 800 |
| T11 | T2.8 |
| T8 | T2 |
Typical Scenarios
| Light | Aperture without ND | Aperture with 1.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | T16-T22 | T4-T5.6 |
| Bright Day | T11-T16 | T2.8-T4 |
| Overcast Bright | T8-T11 | T2-T2.8 |
Cameras with ND 1.2
| Camera | ND Options |
|---|---|
| ARRI ALEXA Mini | Clear, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 |
| ARRI ALEXA 35 | Clear, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 |
| Sony Venice | Clear to 2.4 |
| Canon C500 | Clear, 2, 4, 6 Stops |
Combining with Other NDs
| Internal | + External | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | + 0.3 | 1.5 (5 Stops) |
| 1.2 | + 0.6 | 1.8 (6 Stops) |
| 1.2 | + 0.9 | 2.1 (7 Stops) |
Advantages of Internal
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Fast Switching | Fractions of a second |
| No Vignetting | With wide-angle lenses |
| Protected System | No dust ingress |
| IRND Quality | IR blocking integrated |
Outdoor Shooting Workflow
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Measure light intensity |
| 2 | Determine desired aperture |
| 3 | ND 1.2 as starting point |
| 4 | Fine-tune with 0.6 |
IRND Property
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| IR Cut | Infrared blocked |
| Benefit | No black color cast |
| Quality | Neutral without color cast |
| Standard | In modern cameras |
ND 1.2 vs. Variable ND
| Aspect | ND 1.2 Internal | Variable ND External |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Highest | Varies |
| Flexibility | Fixed 4 Stops | Stepless |
| Cross-Polarization | None | Possible |
| Cost | Included in camera | Additional cost |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Start with sun | Most common starting point |
| Combine with 0.6 | For 6 stops |
| Stay consistent | Within a scene |
| Document | For continuity |
Today
ND 1.2 Internal is the standard filter for outdoor shooting with professional cinema cameras. The 4-stop reduction allows for creative aperture work in bright daylight without external filter solutions. For cinematographers, the "ND 1.2" setting in sunshine is often the first choice.