with and without ND video test. solution to auto-mode.
 

greetings! i just put this test video up on vimeo of two shots. one without a nd filter, and one with a 0.9 nd filter. i used a canon 50mm 1.8 lens. i think this is the best solution for the cursed auto-mode. hope this video is helpful for you guys!

http://vimeo.com/4482155

enjoy!

I think you might have the wrong clip in the no nd filter spot, if you jog back and forth there is no difference except for a color cast.

I see a clear difference. The second clip has a more shallow DOF

you're right, jim. the second clip has a shallow depth of field. when i shot that, it wasn't that sunny out, hence the reason the first clip kind of had a shallow depth of field. but there definitely is a difference.

Yes, NDs will allow for a more shallow depth of field. Is this news for anyone?

You still have the major problem of getting a consistent shutter speed, not to mention the limited number of f-stops the camera seems to want to use (outside of the untwist method or manual aperture lenses).