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12/30/2013 08:34:56 PM · #1 |
Hey Folks,
Santa was kind to me this year and got me a gift card to B&H. I know for sure I want a 10-stop ND filter, but am undecided between either getting a 2-stop grad ND filter or a polarizing filter.
Grad filter: Nice filter for landscapes - will be used primarily for reducing blown out skies if there's a big dynamic range between sky and ground.
Polarizing filter: reduce the haze in the image and increase the depth and saturation of the sky a little.
Right now I am leaning to the 2-stop grad, but was wondering if folks would recommend the circular polarizing filter at all? Can you really see a difference when you have it on? I know it's great for reducing reflections on water/buildings, but not sure how much of that I will need. |
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12/30/2013 08:47:48 PM · #2 |
| 2 stop grad would suit you more methinks. |
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12/30/2013 08:49:53 PM · #3 |
First of the 10-stop ND filter is going to be a great purchase for you.
I can only tell you that back in the film days I used a circular polarizer a lot. Since I went to digital I never used it and I don't miss it. Granted it works but can PS give you similar results without putting another piece of glass in front of the lens. Well maybe not exactly but close enough for my liking.
My vote:
1) 10 stop ND filter (as you are already planning to purchase)
2) 2 or 3 stop grad filter.
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12/30/2013 09:43:49 PM · #4 |
When I got a gift certificate to B&H I got a circular polarizer and a graduated ND filter. I find I use the polarizer more, although neither that often. Partly that's bercause I shoot a lot of handheld, and my GND filter has a "fixed horizon" which is limiting. If you're getting the kind where you can slide the horizon line up and down it might be more useful.
Note that if you stack two polatizers you can make a variable ND filter -- my (crude) experiments seem to show that this technique can have an effect of up to about four stops. I bought a second polarizer (used) for about $10 for this ... |
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12/30/2013 10:10:21 PM · #5 |
I would suggest the circular polarizer as the second filter. The graduated ND, though useful in certain circumstances, will be much less generally useful than the polarizer.
I actually don't own a graduated ND, for the following reasons:
1.) The straight, unmovable transition is very limiting
2.) I can *exactly* duplicate the effect by taking two bracketed exposures and blending, with far greater flexibility
The polarizer can be used to deepen blue skies, partially cancel reflections off non-metallic surfaces, intensify colors on foliage... a very useful tool. In any case, make sure you get a well-made filter.
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12/30/2013 11:07:09 PM · #6 |
the polarizer is one of the few filters that you will not be able to duplicate in photoshop. the grad filter is supremely easy to duplicate. even the effects of a 10-stop filter can be achieved in photoshop, by taking many shorter exposures and averaging them out (i think kirbic had a solid thread about this technique, he'd be able to link to it).
but if you find yourself in the caribbean one day, and see some colourful kayaks paddling out into the ocean, and want to take one of those pictures where the water turns transparent and it looks like the kayaks are flying over a landscape of coral reefs, polarizer is the only way to do it. |
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12/31/2013 08:55:48 AM · #7 |
Thanks folks, looks like the polarizer is the way to go. Of course it's the most expensive filter out of the bunch :)
So next question: which one of the following:
B+W 77mm Circular Polarizer MRC Filter, OR
B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filter
Both seem to be identical except the latter has fancy "Kaesemann foils". Not sure how much of a different these make the image?
Message edited by author 2013-12-31 09:01:56. |
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