ND Filters

planty

planty

planty

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Talk to me about ND filters!

I've been thinking of getting one to use primarily with my Canon 10-22. I'd like to use it on other lenses where possible but the wide angle lens is probably most suited to using ND filters.

I'm very much an amateur, budget is a max of about £200.

I've read good things about the Lee filters and they are appealing because they're not tied to a specific lens thread, although I'd obviously have to buy the converters. Also read about variable ND filters which may be more useful for someone like me - I'm willing to forego some image quality for price and convenience if it makes sense to do so. For example, this looks like a good balance: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-syrp-variable-nd-filter-kit-with-case-large/p1557615

If anyone has experience with the syrp filter I'd be very interested in your opinions. Any other suggestions would be welcome!
 
Thanks Raymond, hadn't considered resale value actually. I expect the Lee system will be the best bet, just wondered if there was anything else I should be looking at!
 
Raymond Lin said:
I would get the Lee system, not just because they are consistently good, the resale value is a lot better.

No one would even pay 50% of what other brands because they are unknown quantity. Start with the starter kit with lee, build it up when you need to.
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Absolutely 100%. In my opinion the best quality you can buy, will last you a lifetime, doesn't not add colour casts and if you come to sell them, a but like L lenses from Canon, you get a large proportion of your investment back, so long as you have looked after them.
 
Unless you're sure you'll be using it a lot, it might be worth testing the waters first. There's some pretty cheap stuff out there that will still give you decent results.

I bought one of these Camdiox filters from SRB - http://srb-photographic.co.uk/72mm-camdiox-nd1000-filter-9355-p.asp

Think they were a little cheaper when I bought mine but only by a few quid. It'll let you have a play around to see what you like.
 
Camdiox thread screw filter all day long as linked above.
I've got 3, ND1000, ND8 & ND4 and they are every single bit as good as the £100+ B&W alternatives.
There are plenty of horror stories regarding cheaper filters and plenty are true, however don't include Camdiox in there, they are superb for the money.
 
Ultimately I'd love a Lee set etc but it's hard to justify the money since I wouldn't use them much.

OP - If you're mostly interested in ND filters then the Camdiox ND 1000 is a great cheap start imo. A set of Lee filters would be better quality and obviously the Lee holder can be used for graded filters etc but it's not a cheap way to try it out hehe :) On the plus side, if you buy second hand then you can pretty much sell it on for next to no loss.
 
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I think it's probably wise to try out a cheap one first to see how I get on - at £30 for the Camdiox it's a no-brainer!
 
Lee system all the way, when I first bought a filter kit years ago I got a Cokin system... it felt cheap and I didn't like it at all and purchased the Lee system pretty much the same week. You pay for what you get, the money you waste 'trying' an alternative you could put towards something that is proven and will last.
 
planty said:
Just had a search and can't find the 77mm camdiox in stock anywhere - does anyone know where I can get one from?
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There's some on Ebay but those are a fair bit more expensive. Saw one from Germany which was almost reasonable but you might be better off checking with SRB to see whether they're getting more any time soon.


The Lee system definitely has better filters but the question is, could the money you save be put to better use if your budget is already a bit tight.


Quality wise, the Camdiox I have feels about as good as any other screw in filter and the image quality is also pretty good with decent colours etc. It's cheap enough to be worth a punt and good enough to keep using imo.
 
Use one of the Haida slim ND filters that were fairly popular a few years back. Think it was about £40 - £50 at the time. Never once have I wished for anything more, I think it does a great job.
 
Phal said:
There's some on Ebay but those are a fair bit more expensive. Saw one from Germany which was almost reasonable but you might be better off checking with SRB to see whether they're getting more any time soon.


The Lee system definitely has better filters but the question is, could the money you save be put to better use if your budget is already a bit tight.


Quality wise, the Camdiox I have feels about as good as any other screw in filter and the image quality is also pretty good with decent colours etc. It's cheap enough to be worth a punt and good enough to keep using imo.
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Yea I've pinged over an email to SRB so I'll see what they say. Thanks for all your input Phal (and everyone else!).

And if that's no good I'll check out the Haida one, thanks Tachyon.
 
Another option is a Lee Starter kit for the holder (which is the best, definitely) and some Kood ND Grads. They are a bit blue, admittedly - Lee filters don't seem to have any cast other than the big stopper which is ever so slightly blue, but they state that.
But the cast can be fixed with a tweak of white balance.

I don't feel bad about dropping £18 filters, but I would if they were £70 lee ones.
My advice: Don't drop your filters. :D
 
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