Tips on using an ND Graduated Grey filter

NorthstaNder · 22 May 2008 at 23:18

Hi guys,

I've got myself an ND grad, finally and could do with a little advise on using it. It's an ND grad grey, and fades to clear half way down the filter (if you ask me, i'd prefer more grey but there you go).

When I'm out and about using it, what is it best to take a meter reading from when shooting landscapes? Quite often I'll use average metering for landscapes on my S6500fd. Should I stick to that, or should I use multi and take a reading from the sky?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can offer!

Messiah Khan · 23 May 2008 at 09:00

NorthstaNder said:
Hi guys,

I've got myself an ND grad, finally and could do with a little advise on using it. It's an ND grad grey, and fades to clear half way down the filter (if you ask me, i'd prefer more grey but there you go).

When I'm out and about using it, what is it best to take a meter reading from when shooting landscapes? Quite often I'll use average metering for landscapes on my S6500fd. Should I stick to that, or should I use multi and take a reading from the sky?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can offer!

I would meter off the ground, lock the exposure then put the filter on. This way the ground will be correctly exposed and the filter will pull the sky back to be correctly exposed (As long as the filter is the right strength for the scene).

glitch · 23 May 2008 at 12:59

As MK says, you need to be sure that the ND is the right strength for the scene you are shooting. It's important to be sure that when you meter from the ground that you also meter from the sky and know how to work out the exposure differences between the two and if that equates to the same number of stops that your ND filter is designed for.

If it's too strong or not strong enough that's not necessarily the end of the world, but you need to be confident that you can still expose the scene correctly without losing any detail in the darkest shadows or the brightest highlights with your chosen exposure.

NorthstaNder · 23 May 2008 at 18:53

ooh...nothing is ever simple is it!

thing is, it's a fairly cheap filter and it's not rated

glitch · 23 May 2008 at 18:58

Then work it out yourself. Find an evenly-lit scene (doesn't have to be anything fancy) and meter with and without the filter attached and covering the lens. You'll then be able to work out the stop difference between the two and find out your rating.

Tysonator · 24 May 2008 at 14:08

I use 2 strenghts of Blue & Grey Grad filters in the P size. The P range will then fit most lens due to their large size.
Messiah & glitcha are correct in the application of the filter. You do need to meter on the ground to give you an idea of the strenght of of the filter.