Which ND grad filters?

macs

macs

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Rich
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I'm looking at getting my first ND grad filters but i'm not sure which to go for: cokin p series or some circular ones such as B+W ones.

The photography I tend to do most of is landscape and architecture(details mainly).

Which would you get as your first ones? What are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Hi I use hi-tek filters in cokin p holder. They give you the ability to adjust the position of the filter more than round one's
 
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Round. screw-in ND filters are pretty much useless - no flexibility with composition...the Hitech filters with a Cokin P holder are good for the money, I found Cokin tended to give a bit more of a colour cast

Simon
 
^^+1 on screw-in filters

Kood P filters are good for the price (and because they're P filters, you can pick and mix with other P filter manufacturers too and use them with different sized lenses as long as you have the right adapter rings) - I'm happy with them. Premier Ink do a starter kit for a good price.
 
Thanks, yeah I do find that some of the google results are iffy even if you ask for UK only sites. I think the kood offer from premier might be best for me. I could also get the sunset filter too for a decent price.
 
weybourne said:
Not stupid. Kood do a circular polarisor in their P series - it is circular in shape and has a 'toothed' plastic mount that slots into the holder and allows you to rotate it.
Click to expand...

I have just had a thought about this filter - it will take up one of the 2 filter slots so only allows me to use one other filter with it. Is it possible to use a screw-in polarisor with the p-series kits?

Sorry for all the questions but there are no decent camera shops close to me without going into town which i don't really like doing if i can help it.
 
macs said:
I have just had a thought about this filter - it will take up one of the 2 filter slots so only allows me to use one other filter with it. Is it possible to use a screw-in polarisor with the p-series kits?

Sorry for all the questions but there are no decent camera shops close to me without going into town which i don't really like doing if i can help it.
Click to expand...

I have a cokin P holder and has slot at the back behind the 3 slots that is just for circular polariser to fit into
 
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you can see the wider slot at the bottom :thumbs: when using a CP you can only add 2 filters rather than 3 when the CP is not fitted

6201273991_3cb46c5e80_b.jpg
 
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LEE all the way, yeh they're pricey but you get what you pay for. owned hitech/formatt nd & grads and was fed up of colour casts when stacking

buy cheap, buy twice

also, if you do decide to sell - you wont lose much, and not sure on stock issues of late but could even increase in price!
 
Hi Dave.

I think i'm going to get the Kood p-series kit from Premier Ink as a starting point. 2 ND filters and 2 Grads with holder and adapter for that price just seems right. I'll also get a circular polarisor for the Kood p series.

I can then start to experiment with the idea of a sunset filter and maybe a variable ND filter - any opinions on these?
 
macs said:
Hi Dave.

I think i'm going to get the Kood p-series kit from Premier Ink as a starting point. 2 ND filters and 2 Grads with holder and adapter for that price just seems right. I'll also get a circular polarisor for the Kood p series.

I can then start to experiment with the idea of a sunset filter and maybe a variable ND filter - any opinions on these?
Click to expand...

Cool sounds good I only use ND8 soft grads and ND8, also polariser my self, I dont like the hard grads, their best used, well I find on seascapes
 
I think you need to try each filter for yourself really before you know what you use and what you dont. It might mean a few extra filters being carried around for a while but I always say it's better to have and not use than to need and not have.
 
The Kood kit on Premier Ink contains:
1 x P-Type ND2 Filter
1 x P-Type ND2 Soft Graduated Filter
1 x P-Type ND4 Filter
1 x P-Type ND4 Soft Graduated Filter
1 x P-Type Filter Holder
1 x P-Type 52mm Adapter Ring

So no hard grads in there. I think from just going on the principle of the things, i'm probably against the idea of hard grads at the moment.
 
macs said:
The Kood kit on Premier Ink contains:
1 x P-Type ND2 Filter
1 x P-Type ND2 Soft Graduated Filter
1 x P-Type ND4 Filter
1 x P-Type ND4 Soft Graduated Filter
1 x P-Type Filter Holder
1 x P-Type 52mm Adapter Ring

So no hard grads in there. I think from just going on the principle of the things, i'm probably against the idea of hard grads at the moment.
Click to expand...

Looking good to me, :thumbs:
 
Soft grads will work well at the wide end of your 18-55, but by the time you get to 55mm (and the lower end of your 55-200) they may be too "soft" and you could find yourself wishing you had some hard grads.

To use hard or soft doesn't just depend on your subject, focal length of the lens you are using is the more pertinent reason to have both. Of course if you only want them for some WA landscapes soft will be all you need.
 
vetonbike said:
Hi I use hi-tek filters in cokin p holder. They give you the ability to adjust the position of the filter more than round one's
Click to expand...

Hi! Was just about to buy a hitech big stopper but read a review that they don't fit well in the cokin p holders- is this true in your case please??
Thanks!
 
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