Lee Filters - Can use ND's as ND Grads?

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Ross
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As per the title question - if I were to buy a set of Lee 100mm Resin ND filters, would there be any practical reason why I could not also use them as ND Grads? (i.e just slip the ND filter half-way down to create a grad effect). Thanks in advance.
 
Erm, it'll probably look rubbish TBH.
Even the hard line grads have some graduation between the light and dark sections.

If the front element of your lens is small enough, you can use the grads as ND filters though.
 
ive never thought of doing that, ive got a set of cokins, i can give it a go on them this weekend and let you know if you like?

Si
 
Nooooooooooooooooo you couldn't it would look incredably dodgy as there would be a very hard line, where the underside/edge of the filter would show up in your image. A hard ND grad is needed its nowhere near as drastic.
 
Point taken Jim R. hadn't thought of that tbh, so there will be a really obvious line where the filter stops?

Still Chocky, no harm in giving it a try eh? I've got Cokin filters too so I'll try it myself too when I go out next and we can both report back?

I want to upgrade to the Lee's but they're so expensive! Was looking for a cheap shortcut there ;-) I knew it was probably too good to be true....
 
Nay probs :) Ill give it a pop :)

surely its only gonna be the same as a hard grad isnt it? There cant be much difference?
 
chocky said:
Nay probs :) Ill give it a pop :)

surely its only gonna be the same as a hard grad isnt it? There cant be much difference?
Click to expand...

:nono: there will be the actual hard edge of the filter which is placed to close to the lens and will appear out of focus its nothing like a hard edge filter.
 
If you use a hard edge grad with a long lens at a low f/number, or even a regular ND slid down just half way as suggested, it will be so out of focus it will effectively be a grad anyway. It might look okay, or it might look naff. You might see the edge/underside of the filter itself, which might show up, or might get concealed within the subject. Slide it up and down and see.

The effect of a grad filter varies a lot with focal length and f/number. It's a depth of field thing - a wide lens and high f/number will pull the grad into sharper focus. And the reverse applies of course.

Just guessing, it might be fine on a long lens, but not on a wide angle (which you're most likely using).
 
Yes, mainly for use with wide angle lenses.

I think in the end I will just start with 1 or 2 ND Grads and 1 ND, that's as much as I can justify spending on at the moment.

Do people think the Digital Starter Kit is good value at £168?
 
I've got the Digital starter kit and its a good starting point. You'll just have to remember to buy a wide angle adapter ring.
 
Yes, I think I'll do that. At what focal length do you need the wide angle adapter ring? I'm presuming I'll need the wide angle one for my 17-70mm?
 
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