Filters

kanephotos

kanephotos

Suspended / Banned
Messages
266
Name
Kane
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I'm looking at filters to add a few creative options to my images and help with skies. Basically, ND, ND-Grads and circular polarizer. Given the ND grads and the ability to stack I assume a square filter option is my best? I'm probably looking at 100 x 100 set ups and I see K&F, Lee, Wine Country seem to be some of the big ones - but also big on price! SRB and Cokin seem a bit more low to mid range. I don't see many people on YouTube comparing the various brands. Anyone have views on them?

Thanks!
 
The main thing I have found with cheaper filters is the colour cast, generally the greater the level of ND the greater the colour cast. So you can't apply a standard level of correction which I found a pain. I constantly change filters to provide shots with and without motion blur so it has saved me a lot of time buying filters that can be used without correction. Also the cheaper ones tend not to be as sharp but I haven't found this significant. If you are OK with that or not bothered about the correction then you may as well go for the cheaper option. Gerald Undone has a good video about filters they are VND but you will see where the various makers fit into the various price points
View: https://youtu.be/mL-BxhQvdIE?si=tn83oDBCJcCayNvX


I started off using basic Hoya screw in filters, swapped to B&W 100mm square filters due to the better colour reproduction. I abandoned the square filters after dropping and breaking a couple frameless B&W filters at £200 each. I now use Polarpro screw on filters which have great colour reproduction and generally don't break when I drop them. I would like to swap over to a magnetic system but haven't found anything that allows me to retain the standard hood and doesn't cause a significant vignette. If you go for square filters pick a system that uses a frame as I guess these are more robust.

Andrew HATFIELD | Architectural and Interior Photographer
 
I've found with square ND filters theres a risk of light leaking around the back of the filters with long exposures, many put a black cloth or something around the holder. I prefer the round filters to avoid the issue (although I dont use them much) I'd also avoid the variable ND filters, these seem ok for video but in my limited experience give a very uneven sky or a dark "cross" effect
 
Please dont get nd grads. It is not 1980s any more. You can do so much more and more accurately in post. Feel free to get a plain quality cpl or nd if you know why exactly you need them. Otherwise there is no need
 
I have a full complement of Lee 100 filters which I've always considered the best. :cool:

I can't get out as much with my photography now due to mobility issues, so I really should get round to listing what I have and selling them. They cost me best part of a kidney, but I'll never see that money again.

If you're interested, I can list them for you and post them in the Classifieds section. There are grads, NDs, holders (new & old style), polariser and a hood. All are in immaculate condition - I look after my kit.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Please dont get nd grads. It is not 1980s any more. You can do so much more and more accurately in post. Feel free to get a plain quality cpl or nd if you know why exactly you need them. Otherwise there is no need
Click to expand...
On this what is your PP approach? Are you bracketing and then merging exposures for different areas? Dodging and burning? Something else?
 
kanebaguley said:
On this what is your PP approach? Are you bracketing and then merging exposures for different areas? Dodging and burning? Something else?
Click to expand...
a mixture of techniques depending on what is appropriate for the scene and the subject. We have the luxury of even object level editing if we want / need to!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top