Spec me a Graduated ND filter

Raymond Lin · 23 Jun 2013 at 21:18

I need something for sunset/twilight shot. A square one.

I am not sure what number I need, what would the one to go for normally if i just get one?

Lee or Hitech?

Andy90 · 23 Jun 2013 at 21:56

The Lee Filters are very expensive, not only the filters but the mounts as well. The quality is very good though.

I went for the cheaper option and purchased a set of three Hitech 85mm filters a few months back, if you do a search on Google for

Hitech 85 ND Grad SOFT Edge 0.3 0.6 0.9

you should find the same set - I got them from Teamwork Digital. These are 85mm across and 100mm long and will fit in the Cokin P series filter holders. The filters are 0.3 (1 stop - ND2) + 0.6 (2 stops - ND4) + 0.9 (3 stops - ND8)

You can then get some Cokin adapters according to the filter thread of your lens. I've 77 mm, 72 mm and 58mm rings.

Cokin do two diffent P series holders that will take the above filters, the Cokin BPW400A P W/A Holder and the Cokin BP-400 P Series Filter Holder

The BPW400A P W/A only takes one filter but it is designed not to vignette on wide angle lenses. The BP-400 holder can take up to three filters.

Quite an adaptable kit as a result. Quality of the filters seem to be very good.

What lenses are you intending to use?

Raymond Lin · 23 Jun 2013 at 22:07

2 things

To make the sky visible while expose for the tent instead of black.

The other is something like this, expose both foreground and sky.

Obviously I want one to be adaptable to use with different lenses, my 72mm to 77mm. I guess I could hand hold it...but if I were to get a holder, is there one that fits all lenses?

pecnarf · 23 Jun 2013 at 22:23

well corking p series kit will attach up to a 82mm diameter len with the correct adapter ring and the filter themselves are 84mm. the hold can hold multi filter as well as a polarizer filter.

Raymond Lin · 23 Jun 2013 at 23:54

Second question, is it best to get soft or hard edge?

BruceLee · 24 Jun 2013 at 01:13

I've got the Hitech ones, pretty good for the price, cheaper than Lee, resin based so won't break as easily.

I'd say you'd be better off with soft edge one, the hard edge filters are too noticeable and only useful for flat horizons, I barely use hard edge filter at all.

0.9 is my most used, I wouldn't bother with a 0.3 as that's basically recoverable in LR from the base shot.

Mine are 100mm ones and go in the Lee Foundation Kit. Just get the largest size adaptor ring you need then get eBay step down rings for other lenses you have.

Throttle · 24 Jun 2013 at 12:01

Hi Raymond, I've been looking into this myself. I currently use a cokin p series 121 soft grad filter and fix it with blue tak. It does the job but its small only just wide enough for my 24mm and leaves a purple/magenta cast to the sky. I decided to upgrade so this is what I found out.

You will need an adapter to fit the lens and a holder for the filter if you want to keep your hands free. Best to get a wide angle lens adapter as this keeps the holder closer to the lens to reduce vignete probs. The holder clips on and off the adapter easily and quickly and you can leave the filter in it.

The lee nd grad filters are generaly thought to be the benchmark and are available in both resin around £80 and glass around £120 .They are 100mm by 150mm the 0.3 not much effect 1 stop the 0.6 holds back 2stops the 0.9 3 stops. Tha hard edge is usefull where you have a definate horizon line ie sea and sky. The soft blends better if you have buildings/ mountains etc on the horizon. So for artistic wedding shots proberbly best with the soft 0.9.

Ive read that Cokin z series and Hitech dont leave as much of a cast, are the same size and will fit in the lee holder and visa versa. Having looked into it the price between the cokin z and lee is not that different if you look around. Finding lee filters can be a challenge as many places list them but don't have them in stock. I will pm where I got mine.

Hope this helps m8

Raymond Lin · 24 Jun 2013 at 13:35

Thanks brucelle and Throttle.

I been thinking about it and I think getting a hard edge is the way to go, I can just feather it to get the gradient that I want. Obviously this means I won't need the filter either.

Andy90 · 24 Jun 2013 at 15:39

I wouldn't go with a hard ND filter if you're looking at a subtle change in effect. They're best used when there is a straight edge in the picture, such as the top of a building or the horizon on a seascape.

Subtle - you want a soft edge ND.

Have a look at this article it explains quite a bit

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/how-to/tech-explained/529599/graduated-neutral-density-filters

D.P. · 24 Jun 2013 at 16:21

Soft are more versatile, hard are best when you do have that define edge and you can line it up easily (horizon over a sea scape etc.)
Lee filters are generally the ones to go for, HiTech aren't bad, Cokin are horrible and to be avoided like the plague

9designs2 · 24 Jun 2013 at 19:58

I went for Lee in the end when I was faced with the same dilema. Cost me a fortune and I've not had much chance to use them since

Only went with soft, can't see how hard edge is going to be much use, will cause more problems and editing than they will solve.

What I would warn is check what angle lens and filter size you plan to go to.... lenses are generally not well designed for filters and vignette very easily. Always buy the slim/wide angle adaptor versions...