GND system

ghinson

I need filters. A whole set.

But I also know that over the next few months, I'll be getting a new camera body, and probably a new lens or two.

My favorite landscape lens right now is my wide-mouthed (77mm, I think) Tokina 11-16mm.

So my question is, what's the best way for me to add a set of GND filters, keeping in mind that I might have to use them on several different lenses in the future.

Do I get a Cokin P mount system that is big enough to accommodate my largest lens and a set of something like the Singh-Ray filters? Are there adapters that allow me to use the same Cokin holder on multiple lenses? Any thoughts about the 1 or 3 slot mount? Anyone have good reason to choose one brand of filters over another?

THANKS!

chrismoore

I have the SinghRay 3 stop soft ND grad and the 3 stop reverse ND. SinghRay are high quality, but much more expensive than other high quality filters. I opted to go with the large handheld ND as opposed to the Cokin type as I feel it gives me a little more flexibility, but others feel strongly about the Cokin. Although hard stop ND grads are popular, IMO they are a little more restrictive than the soft stop.

ghinson

I had not considered the handheld option until I had posted this. I worry about breaking them if they're bouncing around my camera backpack? Is it easy to get used to handholding them?

And here's a naive question. I understand the hard and soft stop varieties, but what is a "reverse" filter? You don't just hold one upside down if you need to adjust the exposure accordingly?

Thanks!

dlplumer

The Cokin has adaptor rings so that you can use it on all your lenses. I bought the Singh Ray filters and I use them with the Cokin adaptor.

I also bought a screw in 10 stop ND and a CP.

Art Scott

I would look into Lee, Singh-Ray and Schneider in a 4x5 size.....I believe Singh Ray has a set that Galen Rowel used.....Singh ray and Schnieder will be the most expensive.

This will allow use with many lenses with just a lens adapter and filter holder or since they are flat non screw in filters you can hold them in front of the lens.

Another option is to shoot a 2-10 stop bracket and assemble as an HDR.....no worries about filters getting lost or broken and as long as you do not over cook the HDR it will look fantastic and give you all the DYNAMIC RANGE you could ever hope for.

ghinson

Art Scott wrote:

Another option is to shoot a 2-10 stop bracket and assemble as an HDR.....no worries about filters getting lost or broken and as long as you do not over cook the HDR it will look fantastic and give you all the DYNAMIC RANGE you could ever hope for.

This is what I have been doing. And the results are nice, some of the time. Try hard not to overcook the HDR, which seems to be all the rage these days. And think I have gotten pretty good at it. But I wonder if a properly exposed photo with a GND might have less signal to noise? What do you think?

chrismoore

ghinson wrote:

This is what I have been doing. And the results are nice, some of the time. Try hard not to overcook the HDR, which seems to be all the rage these days. And think I have gotten pretty good at it. But I wonder if a properly exposed photo with a GND might have less signal to noise? What do you think?

I think you should always strive to get the best image out of camera possible. GND will really help.

Miguel Delinquento

skip the holder
As noted in the above thread, I gave the holder five minutes and then tossed it back into the box of used stuff I purchased. If you change lenses then the holder is a big hassle, especially if you are moving along on a backcountry hike. Just use your left hand to place the P-filter in front of a 77mm lens.

Cokin NDs are pretty decent; the Polarizers are mediocre. Lee and Singh Ray are much better.

M

chrismoore

ghinson wrote:

I had not considered the handheld option until I had posted this. I worry about breaking them if they're bouncing around my camera backpack? Is it easy to get used to handholding them?

And here's a naive question. I understand the hard and soft stop varieties, but what is a "reverse" filter? You don't just hold one upside down if you need to adjust the exposure accordingly?

Thanks!

A reverse filter has the darkest density around the middle of the glass and transitions lighter towards the top. Used mainly for sunrise/sunset to stop down the bright sun on the horizon.

Adding to what Miguel said, most standard GND will work fine for 77mm, the large version from SinghRay also covers an 82mm lens. I needed this because my landscape workhorse is the 16-35mm f/2.8 which is 82mm.

HeatherWB

For the grad ND filters, also check out HiTech 85 series. They're a little bit better than the Cokin P, but a good bit less expensive than the Singh Rays. B&H carries them, but the Filter Connection has them for a whole lot less.

http://www.2filter.com/prices/nd_graduals_P.html

Just in case you aren't familiar with the Filter Connection, they are a reputable company that I've ordered from several times. Pricewise, they are generally a bit cheaper than the big camera stores.

HTH,
Heather

scole

I use a 12-24mm lens which has a 77m filter and the Cokin P size isn't quite large enough. I change lenses too frequently so I hand hold my filters. With the P size, it's a challenge to keep some part of your hand out of your composition.

I *FINALLY* got my set of Lee soft edge ND Grads (0.3, 0.6, 0.9) this past week and tried them out yesterday. Let me tell you that the 4x6 size was a joy to work with! Very easy to work with while keeping my hands out of the picture!

Hitech and Lee are held in the same level of quality so you probably can't go wrong with either. Hitechs will be cheaper but you lose the 1" in length (4x5 versus 4x6). If you buy the set of ND Lee Filters, they come in a microfiber cloth sack. I just put that inside of a cheap cosmetic bag I picked up at Goodwill for some extra padding.

gecko0

scole wrote:

I use a 12-24mm lens which has a 77m filter and the Cokin P size isn't quite large enough. I change lenses too frequently so I hand hold my filters. With the P size, it's a challenge to keep some part of your hand out of your composition.

I *FINALLY* got my set of Lee soft edge ND Grads (0.3, 0.6, 0.9) this past week and tried them out yesterday. Let me tell you that the 4x6 size was a joy to work with! Very easy to work with while keeping my hands out of the picture!

Hitech and Lee are held in the same level of quality so you probably can't go wrong with either. Hitechs will be cheaper but you lose the 1" in length (4x5 versus 4x6). If you buy the set of ND Lee Filters, they come in a microfiber cloth sack. I just put that inside of a cheap cosmetic bag I picked up at Goodwill for some extra padding.

I'm looking for a set of NDs as well. Since I'm just beginning and not sure what shots I'll end up using them for (probably coastal shots during the day to begin with), I have been struggling with what stops to get.

I plan on hand holding them, so do you think the Hitech 4x5 size is adequate for my Tokina 11-16mm? If it's terribly difficult to keep fingers out of the frame, then I'd get the larger. I'd immediately get the 4x6, but the price is almost 3x as much...and I'm not sure if it's worth that investment quite yet.

travischance

Great thread!

astockwell

Reference this:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=132827&highlight=neutral+density

Hey mods can you sticky the link above. It would cut down on the extra threads about GND's, and I am happy to answer questions in my thread.

-Andy

chrismoore

gecko0 wrote:

I'm looking for a set of NDs as well. Since I'm just beginning and not sure what shots I'll end up using them for (probably coastal shots during the day to begin with), I have been struggling with what stops to get.

I plan on hand holding them, so do you think the Hitech 4x5 size is adequate for my Tokina 11-16mm? If it's terribly difficult to keep fingers out of the frame, then I'd get the larger. I'd immediately get the 4x6, but the price is almost 3x as much...and I'm not sure if it's worth that investment quite yet.

for an 82mm lens I find the 4x6 just adequate for handholding. When I hold it over my 16-35mm (an 82mm lens) I have to be really careful not to get my fingers in the shot.