ND Graduated filters

erding

erding

Suspended / Banned
Messages
11,424
Name
Tom
Edit My Images
Yes
Some advice would be appreciated on the following.

Am looking to do more landscape/seascapes fotos this year using a 1Ds Mk3 and a 16-35 Mk2 lens. I am looking at purchasing some graduated filters, probably Hitech.

1. Am I best getting soft or hard graduated?

2. What grade/grades would be most useful?

Tom
 
I use the Cokin P Series filters, and Find I use the ND2 and ND4 graduated filters more frequently than the ND8 I own.
 
grads I use most are nd2 and 4.

Both types of grads are useful. I use the soft grads, although hard grads would have come in handy a few times. But failing that merging to photos in photoshop and using a grad would get the same effect.
 
In Hitech speak, the 0.6 would be the most used one, for when there is a roughly 2 stop difference between the sky and ground. Water tends to sit a stop brighter than the land, therefore a stop darker than the sky, therefore use the 0.3, but thats a very rough guide.

Full frame, the 16-35 is a pretty wide angle lens, to which conventional wisdom says use a soft grad, keeping the hard grad for more normal/telephoto lenses.
 
To be honest, if you are using a 1ds Mark III and a 16-35 Mark II, worth about £6K, I would buy Lee filters.
The 16-35 has a 82mm lens ring and combine this with FF, a wide angle holder set-up is needed. Lee for me. Quality with quality.
In terms of SOFT or HARD, if you can buy both. I have a H/S 0.6 & 0.9 and use the HARD more often, but very much depends on the lighting and lansdcape conditions.
 
For seascape stuff in particular, a Hard grad ND would probably be better as you have the flat horizon in view.

I bought the Lee Digital Starter Kit, which comes with the holder, a 0.6 Hard Grad ND and a 0.6 ND filter. I also bought a 77mm wide angle adapter for it specifically for using with my 10-22mm. If you are using a lens like the 16-35mm on FF, you'd probably be better of with a wide angle adapter ring too.

Hope admins don't mind me posting a link to another forum, but it shows the different affects the filters have on a picture. Click here.

HTH.

Craig. :)
 
Thank you all for your input - the link by CraigyBoy86 was very informative, useful and getting more expensive by the page.

Originally I had discounted the Lee system as I was unsure to what extent I would use the filters - not really done much landscape/seascape. However having read the various posts I am currently thinking along the lines of a 0.6 & 0.9 soft ng and a 0.6 hard ng Lee filters using a wa Lee holder with 82mm adaptor ring.

Tom
 
Here's another opinion on ND grads ....

I had problems with a couple of Lee grads, despite most of the top pro's recommending them (and in one case, being paid to do so, presumably). Don't know why but I had some strange colour casts when using them.

After that experience I decided to go for a top brand - "Galen Rowell" by Singh-Ray from the States. They are expensive but the exchange rate is good, and you can order them from the Singh-Ray website, where there's also lots of info about using grads. The filters are fantastic, by the way, with no noticeable colour cast at all. Available in two sizes.

I was very pleased with a one-stop hard grad and recommended it here a few days ago; however, without wishing to mislead, I usually use it with a polarising filter as well, which may account for the success I'm having with it. Whatever, that combination gives great results without their use being apparent.

I used a two stop previously, which was sometimes too much as the sky could appear too dark. Sometimes you want a more brooding sky, however, and the 2-stop is better for this. And you can combine them for real drama.

You don't actually need to use a holder. I hold mine against the rim of the lens, or the polariser if I'm using one. It saves a lot of messing about with bits and bobs.

I've never used soft grads, it would be quite interesting to try one or to hear in what situation they work successfully.

Hope that's helpful.:)
 
Whilst the Singh Rays appear to be the ultimate option, my current thinking is that they would be overkill for my perceived usage.

At $160.00 each, approx. £80.00, by the time P&P, import duty & VAT are added that becomes about £105 - £110 each and at present are a option my flexible friend is not too keen on.

I must admit I do like the look of the reverse NG flters on the Sing Ray site.

Tom
 
Tom, I am using the same set up as you and the Lee stuff is great

Jerry, if you have probs with the Lee stuff, call them and they'll check them. They are good to deal with.

George
 
George

Thanks - can I ask which grad ND you actually use?

Tom
 
George said:
Jerry, if you have probs with the Lee stuff, call them and they'll check them. They are good to deal with.

George
Click to expand...

I did return the first one but the second was the same! It was along time ago but I think they may have refunded me.

They said something about a dodgy batch the first time, so the second was a problem (and a mystery):)
 
Soory, Tom, out last night and only just seen your post.

0.6ND grad soft or hard are my most used ones, sometimes 0.9, mainly for landscapes, and of course a polariser.

Jerry, glad you got a refund, don't understand the problem as I've never had any, and neither has anyone I know.
 
George thanks for that.

Which polariser are you using?

Tom
 
Tom,I use the Lee one which fits on to the front of their bellows lens hood, it's also a filter holder, and the whole system I find very versatile, although the initial outlay is substantial. I should say at this stage that I work with Lee on a number of projects, so I am biased, but I do think their whole concept is excellent and very well thought out.
I have an adaptor ring for every lens, so can put on a filter holder very quickly on any lens.
Pity you don't live nearer, I'd be happy to show you (or anybody else for that matter) the kit.

They also do a very good book for £10 called "inspiring professionals" call them and they'll send one, although it doesn't show the polariser.

George

Sorry, I should add that the book shows shots and how to use the filters to best effect, not their gear.
 
Thanks George your input is very much appreciated.

I've already got that book - very good insight into technique.

As your using a Lee polariser do you have any experience of using their square 4x4 filter in the basic Lee holder v the 105mm ring polariser with its ring holder ?

Tom
 
Tom, I use the circular Lee polariser, sorry not tried the 4x4, but suspect you couldn't use the square one with other, eg ND filters as you couldn't align them separately.
George
 
Cheers for the info George

Looks as if I will have to try pawning the other kidney as well!

Tom
 
PapaLazarou said:
Don't use Cokin on a 1DSMKIII get Lee filters.
Click to expand...

The decision to go for Lee was done earlier today its just working out the detail as to which.

Tom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top