ND & ND Grad Filters

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gazozborne

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Hi Guys,

Finally getting round to getting ND/Grads but im not sure what strength to get.

I originally wanted 8x's yet 16x's have popped up on SRB~Griturn, since its my first ND which strength would i be best off purchasing first?

Also are the SRB filters any good compared to say, the Hi-tech?

Thanks :)
 
Can't comment on the SRB filters but I've found a 2 stop grad to be the most useful and probably a 4 stop ND (you can tweak a couple of stops in camera by changing ISO normally)
 
Question is why do you want the ND's in the first place. If you need to effectively reduce the sensitivity of you camera then you'll need to know how much effect you'll need. I would suggest that in this case a 2 stop or 0.6 would be the minimum. Alternatively a 0.9 or 3 stop may be a better option, as you can always increase the effective ISO to compensate, if it is to strong.

If you are using ND grads then that's a more complex answer as it depends on the lighting conditions. If you can try to get a set, that way you can experiment. If in doubt go for a 0.6. You can always burn in after if the result is to dark on the final image.
 
Well at the moment i have a Hoya CPL which i've been told also acts as an ND 4X? im wanting something a bit stronger because it seems to be permanently cloudy here and the sky is usually blown out.

Would i not be able to get an ND Grad 1.2 and adjust the ISO settings if it becomes too strong with certain pictures or?

Also ND's would mostly be for Waterfalls & milky water beaches etc, i tried waterfalls months ago and this is the milkiest i got with it;

ny1.jpg
 
Also does anyone know if the SRB~Griturn filters are any good? I cant find reviews on them anywhere!

Im stuck between either those or the Hi-Tech's. :shrug:
 
I would ask yourself why you want them, there are plenty of threads on here about the merits of ND Grad Filters, do a quick search and I think you'll be surprised.
Whenever I shoot landscapes I never have the ND grad off the lens. I use Hi-Tech until I can afford Lee, You can get a COKIN P Holder and squeeze the filters in easily. For a very reasonable price you can get a 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 with Hi-Tech - I would buy these.

Don't know anything about these SRB things.
 
With a strong grad ND filter you'll change "permanently cloudy" skies – not very exciting, I agree – into completely featureless "permanently cloudy" skies that are even less exciting . . .
Besides, you may have probs with the gradation zone not adequately fitting the horizon, causing light and dark spots where they shouldn't be. Some graduated ND's have more abrupt gradation than others. Pay attention which you get.

If you get a 2x ND grad, and a 4x ND grad, they will combine (if carefully aligned) into an 8x ND grad.
In combination with a low ISO setting that should be more than enough for most situations.

However, I vastly prefer to use either HDR techniques, or PS' shadow/highlight sliders in post production in the comfort of my own home to nervous and inaccurate fumbling with filters and filter holders on location. With careful area selection and feathering PP can be far more precise than using physical ND grad filters.

Have fun!
 
Am I right in thinking that Hi-Tech come in 1,2 & 3 stops and Cokin come in 2, 4 & 8??

And what do the 0.3, 0.6 & 0.9 figures of the Hi-Techs stand for?
 
Janice said:
Am I right in thinking that Hi-Tech come in 1,2 & 3 stops and Cokin come in 2, 4 & 8??

And what do the 0.3, 0.6 & 0.9 figures of the Hi-Techs stand for?
Click to expand...

Did you mean lee in the 2nd sentence?

If so, I believe the Cokin 2 refers to the 0.3 seting on a Lee filter and the 4 is 0.6, etc..

No idea on the Hi-Tech kit, as I thought they made trainers not camera kit
 
the 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 actually refers to the density of the filters. In simple terms a 0.3 is a 1 stop change a 0.6 is a 2 stop change guess what a 0.9 is? Yes it a 3 stop change.

Lee filters are labeled as to their density. Not sure how Cokin designate theirs I think it's 2x 4x and 8x
 
Thanks... i just wondered what the 0.6 actually MEANS. 0.6 of a what?? mm?
 
Janice

Yes I get you point. Actually it really isn't 0.6 of anything it's a numerical value. Think of it simply as 0.1 =1/3 stop change 0.2= 2/3 and 0.3 is 1 stop

The number is really the logarithm of the transmission. OK who remembers logs from school. Yes my brain is hurting now to.:thinking:

It's just another way of expressing exposure changes
 
W.Smith said:
However, I vastly prefer to use either HDR techniques, or PS' shadow/highlight sliders in post production in the comfort of my own home to nervous and inaccurate fumbling with filters and filter holders on location. With careful area selection and feathering PP can be far more precise than using physical ND grad filters.

Have fun!
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with the PP approach, otherwise Lee would be in serious trouble. In shot for me works so much better and with practice the addition of filters is easier than changing a lens.

Chappers said:
Janice

Yes I get you point. Actually it really isn't 0.6 of anything it's a numerical value. Think of it simply as 0.1 =1/3 stop change 0.2= 2/3 and 0.3 is 1 stop

The number is really the logarithm of the transmission. OK who remembers logs from school. Yes my brain is hurting now to.:thinking:

It's just another way of expressing exposure changes
Click to expand...

Spot-on.
 
Cheers guys, i ended up going for 0.6 ND Grad & 0.9 ND from SRB Griturn. I was going to email them however they have a kind of disclaimer on their page regarding the neutrality of them & it says they are...will see when i get them.

Also after signing up to their newsletter i've received a free delivery code so now im wondering if i should maybe be getting the 0.9 Grad also?

Thanks :)
 
Received these today, turned out their the Hi-Tech 85mm ND's i intended to buy from Teamwork digital before i saw their shipping charges! Also purchased the Lee Filters Landscape book i've not had chance to read through yet.

Well pleased, shall definately be buying the 0.9 Grad now with the free shipping code :)

I'm also wanting a 400D now to replace my 5month old Fuji s6500, i think this is going to get expensive!
 
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