Graduated ND or Polarizer filter?

JohnR

I have been thinking of getting one filter (for now) and have been told that the Graduated ND filter is what I want, especially with my upcoming trip to Maui.

Then I read that other thread started by Humungus and someone recommended the Polarizer.

Which one would be best for what I plan on doing? (ocean shots, waterfalls, etc in Maui...lots of sun there!)

And can anyone recommend a good brand but one that won't break the bank?

Thanks!

ian408

JohnR wrote:

I have been thinking of getting one filter (for now) and have been told that the Graduated ND filter is what I want, especially with my upcoming trip to Maui.

Then I read that other thread started by Humungus and someone recommended the Polarizer.

Which one would be best for what I plan on doing? (ocean shots, waterfalls, etc in Maui...lots of sun there!)

And can anyone recommend a good brand but one that won't break the bank?

Thanks!

Graduated ND filters come in different gradations. Do you know which you'd
need? Will you always be shooting sky to dark foreground shots?

Tiffen make several. Starting at around $60.

If money's a concern, I would seriously consider the circular polarizer first.

Ian

GREAPER

Very definatly the polarizor.

You can shoot in RAW and blend the shots to get the effect of the ND, but you cannot PS what the polorizor will do.

bfjr

Polarizer.
Take a quick look at this thread :

Shot with Polarizer

See how the 1st two clouds show up and the haze is quite diminished to where you can even see buildings in the background :cool

Polarizer did that
Hope that helps your decision

Shay Stephens

A polarizer is generically more useful than an ND grad filter. You can also simulate a grad filter by taking two bracketed shots and blending in your image editor. You can't effectively simulate the effects of a polarizer however, it has to be done with hardware.

JohnR wrote:

I have been thinking of getting one filter (for now) and have been told that the Graduated ND filter is what I want, especially with my upcoming trip to Maui.

Then I read that other thread started by Humungus and someone recommended the Polarizer.

Which one would be best for what I plan on doing? (ocean shots, waterfalls, etc in Maui...lots of sun there!)

And can anyone recommend a good brand but one that won't break the bank?

Thanks!

ian408

John,

How'd your decision work out?

Ian

JohnR

Thanks guys! I picked up a Wide Circular Polarizer Filter

I plan on using it in Hawaii for ocean shots...I figured that it would be needed.

ian408

JohnR wrote:

Thanks guys! I picked up a Wide Circular Polarizer Filter

I plan on using it in Hawaii for ocean shots...I figured that it would be needed.

Cool deal! Be sure to give it a whirl and get used to the way it works.

Enjoy Hawai'i!

Ian