Need some ND Grad's!

feenster

feenster

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Hi all,
Haven't visited here for quite a while - busy with work etc, Photo's have taken a back seat unfortunately.

Anyhow, I'm on the lookout for a/some ND Grad filters. I don't really know where to start though. I need something that will fit my 17-85mm (67mm filter thread) and my 50mm (52mm filter thread) if possible. I've heard about the Cokin system - is this a good place to start? What 'strengths' of ND grad should I be looking at?

So many questions, all packed into one badly written paragraph :-)

Matt
 
I have just got the Cokin holder and some Hitech Filters.

I bought the ND Grad soft filter kit which is 0.3, 0.6, 0.9. In hindsight I should have got 1 0.9 soft grad and 1 0.9 hard grad as the 0.3 and 0.6 are so light as I doubt that I'll ever need them
 
Im looking at some too. Especially now as the fairer weather is upon us and I'll be venturing outside more to do more landscape photography.

I think (off the top of my head), I'm planning on the Cokin P system. Need an adapter for each of my filter sizes, and one filter holder to attach to filter adapters.

I think I'll then start with a medium ND4? (0.6) grad. Thats my plan anyway.
 
I bought a set of Kood filters (ie. Cokin/Lee/Hitech but cheaper). Haven't used them much (especially since three of my four lenses rotate on zoom - doh!) but will do once I can get my posterior in gear.
 
Thanks for the replies. The Hi-tech ones seem reasonably priced. Should I be looking at getting a mix of hard and soft Grad's then?

Matt
 
I took the plunge and went Lee. Great as they fit everything and superb quality.

0.6 hard or soft grad should be your first thought then a 0.9. This will deal with most dark foreground/bright distance shots. Then solid ND's for long exposure. This is up to you depending on what it is you will take but 0.9 is a good start.

HTH! :thumbs:
 
Feenster,

all depends on your budget, but I agree with the earlier posts to go with 0.6, then 0.9 in that order.

Something I wish I knew before I bought mine........If you have a really wide lens you intend to use this on, you can buy specific wide angle holders if you want to use the Cokin or Lee system. They sit closer to the lens to stop 'vignetting', or have a single filter holder rather than the standard cokin one that holds three filters.

You can buy one holder, and multiple adapters for you different lens thread sizes.
 
Jas said:
... or have a single filter holder rather than the standard cokin one that holds three filters.
Click to expand...

It may be cheaper to by a generic three-filter holder and chop off the extra bits (colleague at work who's a bit of a photographer has done this). If you're feeling dangerous you could just hand-hold the filter in front of the lens too.
 
I've just got myself a set of Lee filters:

0.6 soft GND
0.9 hard GND
0.9 ND

Nice and oversized which is what I wanted for my 12-24 as the Cokin stuff I used to use would show vignetting at 15mm and below. Also Cokins seemed to have a bit of a colour cast, which it turned out they are known for.
I'd get something cheap and see how much you use them and if you find out you like them invest in some slightly better made ones. The Lee stuff is good 'mid-range' kit, very well built, the holder is customisable so you can have it hold has many filters as you want and because they are big you don't find yourself fumbling with them as much.

:)
 
Richard is spot on, I use the lee system (I am biased as I supply them with other products!!) and it's very versatile. They have also just brought out a quite excellent book which describes filter use, shows examples by some leading lanscape photographers (JOe Cornish etc) and gives some really useful tips. I think it's available from some of the major photo dealers (Richard White etc) but a visit to their (Lee's) web site will give their phone number in Andover and the receptionist would tell you. I think they'll also send it out. It costs about a tenner, and I really think it is a great introduction and shows the situations in which a filter helps. If anyone has any questions, please ask
George
 
Sorry should have added the book is called "Inspiring Professionals"

George
 
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