ND Grad Filters
 

Hi people

I have never used a forum before so not sure how this works!!

I have a Nikon D5000 with 18-55mm kit lens, 35mm prime, Tamron 70-300mm and about to get a 10-24mm Nikon wide angle lens. I'm VERY new to photography and looking to invest in some ND filters but have absolutely no idea what I'm looking for!! Any help/ advice with brands types etc much appreciated!!

Thank you

Hi, welcome to the forum.

You may get a better response by posting this in the beginner secton, or equipment section.

ND grads are great for landscape photography, but it is possible to bracket your shots and merge them in photoshop to get the same effect. This saves buying the filters, and using them.

Lee, Cokin, Kood, Hi-tech all make filters of varying quality and price.
I have Cokin and they're ok, but not the best.

They come in hard and soft, and in different densities.
You need to make sure you get the right size holder too.

This is the sort of thing you'll be looking at!

[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitech-Grad-stops-Graduted-filters/dp/B0076YB9NA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1359192831&sr=8-13[/url]

[url]http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-lee-seven5-graduated-neutral-density-0-3-0-6-0-9-hard-edge-filter-kit/p1534482[/url]

[url]http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-cokin-h250a-nd-gradual-filter-kit/p1000795[/url]

Hope this helps.

Chris

I moved to equipment.

I have Formatt/Hi-Tech ND Grads and they are pretty good. One thing to consider also is the size of the filters. If you are using your 10-24 you may want to get 100mm (Z size) to avoid any problems getting the holder in the frame.

Thanks very much for that, very helpful! So I gather if you get a bigger holder you are able to get an adapter to fit to smaller lenses? I guess that would be the way to go then. I'm sure you've gathered i really am VERY new to all this!!:)

I shall now go exploring!!

I'm thinking possibly soft edged filters to play around with first. A lot of the landscape stuff i'll be doing will be seascapes.

Thanks guys!!

hiya,

from wot ive read its actually best to start with hard grad filers. in fact thats how i have started off myself. lee filters and and nd .6 grad with a .9 grad filter. hopefully i will b adding more nd's to cope with bright conditions. do expect long lead in times fer items not in stock though. ive bought the best so i wont have to upgrade later cause nm wot camera u got u can use them on a apsc or full frame camera, just need the right holder fer yer camera.

yes u can do exposure compensation bracketed shots and merge in photshop, but tbh if u want ur pics to b u and not photoshopped to death its better imo to go fer the filters.

As far as hard or soft edge ND filters go it all depends on the landscape your shooting , if your main interest is seascapes then a hard edge filter is probably better due to the nature of the sharp transition from light sky to darker sea at the horizon . The soft grads are better in blending the light and dark areas in uneven situations like hilly landscapes , if your seascapes have an uneven horizon line like a headland then the soft grad would be appropriate but if I had to choose just one set I would go for the soft set as I find them more flexible in different situations .

Mark

So many out there!! I just have to convince my other half I need both sets to play around with! I appreciate all of this though. Think I'm going to stick with HiTech for now as they seem fairly reasonably priced and have some good reviews

Lou

[QUOTE=cozit83;87114]So many out there!! I just have to convince my other half I need both sets to play around with! I appreciate all of this though. Think I'm going to stick with HiTech for now as they seem fairly reasonably priced and have some good reviews

Lou[/QUOTE]Do not do that, just do not tell her. Easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission :)

[QUOTE=markgozz;87067]As far as hard or soft edge ND filters go it all depends on the landscape your shooting , if your main interest is seascapes then a hard edge filter is probably better due to the nature of the sharp transition from light sky to darker sea at the horizon . The soft grads are better in blending the light and dark areas in uneven situations like hilly landscapes , if your seascapes have an uneven horizon line like a headland then the soft grad would be appropriate but if I had to choose just one set I would go for the soft set as I find them more flexible in different situations .

Mark[/QUOTE]

Another thing to consider is the focal length of the lens you're using. A hard-edge grad will produce a fairly obvious delineation between clear and darkened when used with a wideangle. A soft edge may have no noticeable distinction between top & bottom when used with a telephoto.

Chris

[QUOTE=greenwing;87140]Another thing to consider is the focal length of the lens you're using. A hard-edge grad will produce a fairly obvious delineation between clear and darkened when used with a wideangle. A soft edge may have no noticeable distinction between top & bottom when used with a telephoto.

Chris[/QUOTE]


Cheers Chris , I had no idea there would be any difference with different lenses .

Mark