ND Grad filter set

Amp34

Amp34

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I want to get a few ND grad filters but I'm not entirely sure what I need, or what brand to get. First off the filters will be going on a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 and possibly a wide angle in the near future.

It was suggested when I got the Sigma that the standard Cokin P's could cause vignetting so would a set of 100mm filters be the best bet? Bearing in mind I can't afford a set of Lee filters unfortunately I have a choice between Cokin Z-pro and Hi-Tech I think.

I need a filter holder and an adaptor for the lens (82mm), is the suggestion that even if I buy Hi-Tech filters I should get the Cokin holder and adaptor? Anything else I need?

Finally the ND's themselves. I want one full ND for slow shooting during the day, what sort of strength would be best for that? And I then want a couple(?) of grads. Is the general consensus to get a couple of soft grads but what stengths would be the best compromise?

I'll mainly be using them for straight landscape shots.:)

Thanks:)
 
For slow daylight shooting I use a 10 stop ND. Mine's a screwin made by B+W but I'm not sure if you can buy them above 77mm. This allows daylight shots between (roughly) 10 seconds and 2 minutes depending on conditions/aperture. It's my favourite bit of kit!

I don't tend to use grads anymore because I find it easier to take multiple exposures and combine in PS (I use a tripod for all my landscape shooting). Oters will be able to advise you better I'm sure!
 
If you go for a wide angle lens you'll need to make sure the filter holder doesn't encroach into the field of view. So a 100mm may be a good idea. In fact my Lee holder does , but only at the extreme edges on very wide.

I have used the Cokin in the past and it seemed OK, can't help with the Hi Tech.

Strengths, well I seem to use 0.3 and 0.6 most with my Lee's. However bear in mind that a grad may not work in all situations so combining exposures may be a worthwhile technique to be familiar with.
 
Which Lee holder do you have? I probably won't get one but I was looking at the Foundation kit and was wondering what it actually contained, is it just the holder without the lens adaptor (which I would presumably need to get)?

Ok now i'm getting confused, what is the difference between the P and Z Pro filter/kit? I presumed the size but now i'm not sure.:thinking: The other thing is the Hitech's are only 125mm long not 150mm, is that going to be too short?

The more I look at this the more confusing its getting.:shrug:

I'm also wondering, when I take shots at the moment to combine them later I get a very uncontrasty foreground when taking the over exposed sky shot for the foreground exposure, is this due to a sort of light leak, and would filters cure it slightly?
 
Have used the Hi Tech for 15+ years.

Very good quality and neutral (some nd grads throw a magenta caat) and available in both soft and hard gratuation. Bear in mind that the wider the lens used the more obvious the line of graduation appears. So would recommend a very soft graduation if using with wide angle lenses. Aso a thin holder aailable for wide angle use to minimalise vignetting.
 
Could someone just confirm for me, the Cokin P filters are 85mm wide and the Lee and Cokin Z-Pro are 100mm?

I think i'm getting confused because the Hi-tech website says their filters may not fit in new Cokin P series holders, but I think it may have been in reference to their 85mm filters.:thinking:
 
Cokin P series are 85mm, i have just purchased the nd grad kit and polarizer. Used them on my 17-40 L and they work a treat. The P series should work fine on your 24-70.
 
Amp34 said:
Which Lee holder do you have? I probably won't get one but I was looking at the Foundation kit and was wondering what it actually contained, is it just the holder without the lens adaptor (which I would presumably need to get)?

Ok now i'm getting confused, what is the difference between the P and Z Pro filter/kit? I presumed the size but now i'm not sure.:thinking: The other thing is the Hitech's are only 125mm long not 150mm, is that going to be too short?

The more I look at this the more confusing its getting.:shrug:



I'm also wondering, when I take shots at the moment to combine them later I get a very uncontrasty foreground when taking the over exposed sky shot for the foreground exposure, is this due to a sort of light leak, and would filters cure it slightly?
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I think it was the foundation kit. It was a couple of years ago that I got it so memory is a bit vague. You'll still need the adapter for the lens as well then the filters. It can get pricey. Lee filters are 100mm wide x 150mm long which is similar to the Cokin Z range. The X's are 130mm wide if memory serves me.

As to the most often used grads, 0.3 and 0.6.

Be careful if you are using grads and a polarizer, at wide angle you will get some cut off of the image. Also it's not possible to use lens hoods in many cases . I use a lastolite
easybalance ( it came free with my monitor calibrator) as a sun shade , but a piece of card would do just as well
 
another vote for hi-tech - much cheaper than the Lee's and a lot more neautral than te cokin.

I use a cokin P wide angle holder with a set of soft grad Hi-techs (85mm) on my sigma 10-20mm - on reflection i might have gone for the 100mm but it does work fine at 85mm
 
Thanks. :)

So I want the Z-Pro filter holder and an 82mm adaptor. Then the Hi-tech soft grad kit (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) and a 1.2 ND. That should do it then. :)
 
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