Graduated ND question - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

03/05/2006 02:07:59 PM · #1

I'm interested in a graduated ND filter for landscapes, but I'd like to avoid the clunky Cokin attachment. Right now I'm looking at a 77mm Tiffen or Heliopan 0.6 Grad ND, but I'm concerned about getting the effect level with a screw-in filter that doesn't rotate. Does anybody have experience with these?

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

03/05/2006 02:14:58 PM · #2

Not with the screw in type but I do with the Cokin. You are correct that it is a bit of a pain with the clunky attachemtns using a Cokin. But you must be able to rotate the filter to get it in the correct position. Maybe you would just partially screw it in and then use a half turn to rotate? The other issue is that with the Cokin I sometimes use the lateral movement of the filter (slide it up and down in the slot) to decide where the break point in the graduated fitler should be. It depends quite a bit on the scene. I doublt that is possible with the screw in type.

Anyway, good luck.

Edit: BTW - with the Cokin if you are going to use it on a 77mm wide angle lenes then you MUST get the Wide angle slim holder.

Message edited by author 2006-03-05 14:17:16.

Tallbloke

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/05/2006 02:16:12 PM · #3

Can't see how a non-rotating ND Grad would be of any use?

I have the Cokin one and have used it upside down, left, right, diagonally and the right way.

This had the ND upside down to reduce the light off the floor

Recently if the camera is on a tripod doing landscapes I just hold the ND in front coz I can't be bothered to attach the big bulky Colin filter holder thingy.

Steve

edit:damn typos

Message edited by author 2006-03-05 14:17:11.

03/05/2006 02:25:54 PM · #4

Lee filters are what i use. They are 4x6 filters allowing full control over placement.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/05/2006 02:26:47 PM · #5

Originally posted by Tallbloke:

I just hold the ND in front coz I can't be bothered to attach the big bulky Colin filter holder thingy.

Now there's an interesting idea.

cfischl

Canon EOS-40D

03/05/2006 02:28:18 PM · #6

could someone just fill me in. I'm pretty new to this and I have no idea what an ND filter is. thanks

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

03/05/2006 02:29:47 PM · #7

I have recently been using the cokin P series on an old EOS 500n film camera fitted with the 16-35 L lens. The cokin holder gets in the frame so I've had no other option except holding it by hand for the time being. This appears to work quite well.

Going to have to find a good alternative if I buy the 5D though.

03/05/2006 02:30:51 PM · #8

An ND (Neutral Density) filter is gray and reduces light transmission in bright scenes. Graduated ND filters have a gray to clear gradient that makes one side darker than the other- usually to darken the sky for a more even exposure in landscapes.

peecee

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/05/2006 02:34:46 PM · #9

Originally posted by scalvert:

Not to hijack this thread but having never used one, and a 17-40 winging its way to me as we speak I am concidering the cokin p system, does it affect the sky colours?

Ta,
Paul.

Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3,5-6,3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] macro for Canon

03/05/2006 02:40:56 PM · #10

Originally posted by peecee:

I am concidering the cokin p system, does it affect the sky colours?

Cokin's own ND is notorious for uneven colors, but a Tiffen P series in a Cokin filter holder should work well (just be sure to get Cokin's wide angle holder or you'll have horrible vignetting).

Nokia N900

03/05/2006 02:46:46 PM · #11

Originally posted by peecee:

Originally posted by scalvert:
An ND (Neutral Density) filter is gray and reduces light transmission in bright scenes. Graduated ND filters have a gray to clear gradient that makes one side darker than the other- usually to darken the sky for a more even exposure in landscapes.

I am concidering the cokin p system, does it affect the sky colours?

It won't affect color (hue/saturation).

A Neutral Density filter is neutral, in that it doesn't have color. It's as if part of the scene were taken with a couple (depending on the filter) stops down.

adamweb

Canon EOS-6D

03/05/2006 02:50:11 PM · #12

scalvert, just curious, have you messed with combining shots in photoshop for HDR? i haven't really seen any examples...

03/05/2006 02:54:52 PM · #13

Originally posted by adamweb:

...have you messed with combining shots in photoshop for HDR?

Sure, lots of times. Although it was a single capture, this shot was made from two differently processed exposures of the same RAW file-

EDIT- Oops, I stand corrected. That was a JPEG, but yes, I have combined exposures many times.

Message edited by author 2006-03-05 14:57:56.

03/05/2006 03:03:48 PM · #14

I hand hold mine sometimes when I get lazy and am in a hurry. But I would highly recommend these over the cokin stuff.

Lee filter on ebay

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/05/2006 03:04:04 PM · #15

Originally posted by scalvert:

I'm interested in a graduated ND filter for landscapes...

I do not have a recommendation but am very interested in how things work out for you. I use my polarizer a lot for landscapes and would never leave home without it. I do not own a ND filer at present but have considering a purchase. My dim, dark past experience has been that it makes my landscapes "flat" and that is why I have not bought one.

Please tell us how it works out and share some images. The quality of your work speaks for itself so your opinion will be valued by all.

03/05/2006 03:08:48 PM · #16

All shot with a multiple ND grads. I routinely use a polarizer with them as well.

03/05/2006 03:14:02 PM · #17

Looks like I'll be going with a handheld Lee filter. A single 0.6 soft edge should be plenty for my needs. :-)

Message edited by author 2006-03-05 15:14:32.

03/05/2006 03:17:34 PM · #18

Originally posted by scalvert:

Looks like I'll be going with a handheld Lee filter. A single 0.6 soft edge should be plenty for my needs. :-)

I have the soft edge ones and wish I had a hard edge one as well for abrubt cutoffs in exposure. I tend to use the 3 stop version or both stacked mroe than just the 2 stop alone.

but the size of the Lee lets you hand hold it very well.

Message edited by author 2006-03-05 15:18:16.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/05/2006 04:02:21 PM · #19

Originally posted by Brent_Ward:

All shot with a multiple ND grads. I routinely use a polarizer with them as well.

Brent, I am particularly hoping to meet you at the Utah GTG in May. I really, really like your landscapes.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/05/2006 08:08:07 PM · #20

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
All shot with a multiple ND grads. I routinely use a polarizer with them as well.

Brent, I am particularly hoping to meet you at the Utah GTG in May. I really, really like your landscapes.

Well hopefully I can get over there. I have a baby due June 5th so we'll see. It's only a 5 hour drive so it should be doable.

cfischl

Canon EOS-40D

03/05/2006 08:16:40 PM · #21

Originally posted by Brent_Ward:

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
All shot with a multiple ND grads. I routinely use a polarizer with them as well.

Brent, I am particularly hoping to meet you at the Utah GTG in May. I really, really like your landscapes.

Well hopefully I can get over there. I have a baby due June 5th so we'll see. It's only a 5 hour drive so it should be doable.

wow, i just looked at some of your stuff and I'm extremely impressed. your should really enter a few more challenges around here and see if you can continue your 50% ribboning streak :P

Charles

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/05/2006 08:31:14 PM · #22

Just a thought, from what I've heared cokin ND 'grads' are actualy grey filters? Lee, (for example)are much more expensive but are Neutral Graduated, as in the don't alter the colour?

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

03/05/2006 08:34:25 PM · #23

The Cokin ND filters leave a magenta cast so unless you want to compensate in post processing with color balance then I would go with the more expensive filters.

Do these filters affect image quality? How can you put a piece of plastic in front of an expensive lens and not have it negatively impact image quality?

03/05/2006 08:43:36 PM · #24

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

How can you put a piece of plastic in front of an expensive lens and not have it negatively impact image quality?

Optical resin is a far cry from plastic, and even the best manufacturers (Heliopan and B+W) use it for certain filters. I would expect the filter to impact image quality, but in a positive way (i.e. no blown out skies). ;-)