ND Grad Filters and a TLR

TheTimeChamber

TheTimeChamber

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How easy is it? Has anyone done it? Are there any pitfalls I should look out for? I read somewhere that you should reverse the filter, which cannot be right, can it?

:shrug:
 
I await the answers with interest....I've been thinking about this for a while myself.
 
Thinking logically (I'm not a TLR user but understand the principle), I would try setting the grad on the viewing lens then moving the whole filter system to the taking lens, making sure that the filter doesn't get shifted up or down and that the grad line stays at the same angle. Of course, this relies on the camera being set up on a sturdy tripod.
 
The issue with ND grad filters on a TLR is, obviously, that you can never get the position of the filter correct with any real degree of certainty on account of the completely separate optical systems. You would have to mount the filter on the VF lens and try and note it's position before placing it onto the imaging lens.

As for mounting it up upside down (I assume this is what you mean by reversing it), I would assume this is incorrect. It does seem completely counter-intuitive to me, but happy to be proven wrong however!
 
Interesting, I will look at those as I have been thinking of replacing my holder.

Woodsy said:
The issue with ND grad filters on a TLR is, obviously, that you can never get the position of the filter correct with any real degree of certainty on account of the completely separate optical systems. You would have to mount the filter on the VF lens and try and note it's position before placing it onto the imaging lens.

As for mounting it up upside down (I assume this is what you mean by reversing it), I would assume this is incorrect. It does seem completely counter-intuitive to me, but happy to be proven wrong however!
Click to expand...

Agreed with the counter-intuitiveness, it didn't make sense to me :cuckoo:

I may just experiment on a cheap negative film before ruining 12 shots of velvia :lol:
 
Hi, I might be able to help.

A TLR is certainly not the easiest of cameras to use a ND Grad with mainly because you have no way of viewing the effect through the actual taking lens. However it can be done with a little manipulation.

If you are using the square type of filter, ie where you can adjust the effect by sliding the filter up and down then the only way you can get a reasonably good idea of the effect you'll be getting is to hold the filter in front of the viewing lens (as the viewing lens doesn't usually have a filter thread) and then make a note of its position and then do the same thing with the taking lens with the holder in place.

If you are using a screw in type of filter, ie one that fits your taking lens then you would use it as any other filter, just remember to get the graduated part of the filter in the right place.

In both instances you should take a meter reading first, apply that manually to the camera and then add the filter using the same settings.

Hope this helps.
 
Yes, you can. Not really a problem just a bit fiddly.
Not sure which TLR you have but on a Rollei the viewing lens and taking lens have the same bayonet fitting. So as Mark suggests above buy a set of calibrated blades from LEE (assuming you are using LEE filters) If not just be careful when transferring holder from viewing lens to taking lens. I am assuming as you are talking about GRADS you are using a tripod as of course a LEE holder blocks the viewing lens.

C
 
If you already have a square nd grad filter maybe you could just experiment by using blu-tack to place it on the taking lens? So if the sky is in the top third of the shot place it around a third from the top of the lens and so forth. I've been trying the same thing with my Mamiya rangefinder and it seems to work reasonably well.
 
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