Which ND Grad Filter?

EMA747 · 4 Sep 2009

I want to get an ND grad filter as I am sick of having to take two or three shots and merge them just to get a nice looking sky.

I have a Cokin holder so one of their ND grad filter would probably be best but which one would be the most versatile/most used?
Also I can't afford the pro level ones so will have to stick to the less expensive P-series as I think they are called.

Andy S

Jo · 4 Sep 2009

Well I may get shot down in flames for this, but if you are tight on the funds I recommend trying something like THIS first (you can get even cheaper if you don't mind buying from Hong Kong). Then if you like it and find you use it a lot, you can keep on using it while you save for the real deal. If you decide it's not for you, then you haven't wasted much money.

The one I linked above is the one I got for my recent camping trip to Whitby. I used it for almost all of my landscape shots, and have to say I didn't have any problem with quality.

I was very happy with it. It also fits perfectly into the P series holder, which you can also swap with a third party holder and make the deal even cheaper.

Astraeus · 4 Sep 2009

You'll find that, time and time again, the forum members here recommend getting the Hitech filters. At £30 for three, they're not much more expensive than the one recommended above but consistently get good reviews from the folks on here without going to the expense of Singh Ray filters.

http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10288

The Matt · 4 Sep 2009

A 2 stop filter with a medium grduation is probably the most useful imo. You will never get one to cover all situations though. Sometimes I use my 2, sometimes my 3, sometimes both at once and sometimes neither are quite right. I know I'm going to end up wiith a 1, 2 and 3 stop filter in hard, medium and soft graduations.

DizMatt · 4 Sep 2009

+1 for teamworkphoto hitech

Bruce120 · 4 Sep 2009

Hitechs here as well, good price and speedy delivery get you holder and adapter from ebay £7 or so all in

Drofmats · 4 Sep 2009

Plenty of people recommend the Hitechs, and I am one of them.

They fit snuggly into the cokin holder as well.

zeugma · 4 Sep 2009

Jo said:
...my recent camping trip to Whitby.

Nice shot of the harbour Jo, I absolutely LOVE Whitby.
Although, as you're in Lincolnshire, it's quicker for you to get there than me!
Never mind. I have a daughter living in Manchester now...

Fuuudge · 4 Sep 2009

I have the P series ND Grad Kit and it came with 1, 2 and 3 stop filters. Many people say the 3 stop is to harsh and provides and 'evil' looking sky, you might be aiming for that effect though. I think a 2 stop would be a good filter to start with.

EMA747 · 4 Sep 2009

Astraeus said:
You'll find that, time and time again, the forum members here recommend getting the Hitech filters. At £30 for three, they're not much more expensive than the one recommended above but consistently get good reviews from the folks on here without going to the expense of Singh Ray filters.

http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10288

Those ones look good. If they will fit the Cokin holder I'll bag a set.

Drofmats · 4 Sep 2009

EMA747 said:
Those ones look good. If they will fit the Cokin holder I'll bag a set.

They do indeed, there's a 1mm difference (cokin are 84mm, Hitechs are 85mm) which makes them a "snug" fit.

Drofmats · 4 Sep 2009

Though I might be taking out of my backside now, as they now appear to be 84mm. I'm sure they used to be 85mm hence the "Hitech 85 ND" title.

Either way they will fit the Cokin P holder.