ND Graduated filters

[Cee Jay]

I need some help here I am looking to buy a graduated filter for landscape work and wonder which one to go for using my 15-85 canon lens with 72mm filter size. Would the cokin system be a good choice? Also a non graduated ND for waterfalls etc.

[carlb40]

You might get away with the cokin holder, but think you might be limited to using 1 filter at a time. Otherwise you may get vignetting in the corners on wide settings.
Do you have any friends etc near by who can let you try the cokin P system out to see if you have any issues with it?
Hitech filters are better than the cokin ones as theres less of a colour cast if you use 2 or more filters together.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/72mm-Adapter-Ring-Filter-Holder-Cokin-P-Series-/260769388220?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_ CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item3cb71116bc
http://teamworkphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1047_78_767_277&products_id=10288
http://teamworkphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1047_78_767_278&products_id=10355

If you do get vignetting then the 100mm system would be better as there wont be any vignetting at the wider angles. However that will cost more money

[jacob12_1993]

I had the cokin P standard holder and grad kit and it was fine on my d40 and kit lens if I only used on filter (issue comes in stacking). I now have a hitech 100mm kit with grads and NDs and it is excellent! You can also get a wide angle adapter for it, however I have used it on 17mm (dx) with no problem.

[mini_mad]

You get for what you pay for with filters. go for the best you can afford, I think most would agree that the Cokin P range would fall into the mid price/quality bracket.

The cokin system will be available at a lot of high street retailers so take your camera and lens along and try out the setup, because it is a wide angle lens you will need to look at the P system.

[royalpython]

I prefer not to use them anymore if i'm completely honest. I actually prefer taking an exposure of the sky, and bringing back detail... or... taking an exposure of the sky and one for the foreground, and then using layer masks to blend them in. I think the results are better this way, but each person has their own preferences :)

[Cee Jay]

I will give that method a try Jonny would you be taking two images using a tripod?

[Puffin]

I prefer not to use them anymore if i'm completely honest. I actually prefer taking an exposure of the sky, and bringing back detail... or... taking an exposure of the sky and one for the foreground, and then using layer masks to blend them in. I think the results are better this way, but each person has their own preferences :)

Jonny, do you have a decent tutorial for this? I would be very interested if you do!!

[mini_mad]

take 2 identical images, one exposed for the sky and one exposed for the foreground.

Each to their own, I prefer to get it right in camera and leave as little work to be done in PS as possible, so I do have a full set of Lee ND grads, an ND and a large CPL that fits on the front of the holder.

[royalpython]

I will give that method a try Jonny would you be taking two images using a tripod?

Yup, on a tripod will make sure the image is the same. :)


Jonny, do you have a decent tutorial for this? I would be very interested if you do!!

I'll try and make an in-depth tutorial for you tonight. I've got a few photo's where i've done this already :)


take 2 identical images, one exposed for the sky and one exposed for the foreground.

Each to their own, I prefer to get it right in camera and leave as little work to be done in PS as possible, so I do have a full set of Lee ND grads, an ND and a large CPL that fits on the front of the holder.

I will use a filter if i have to, don't get me wrong :) I did often find that even with the strongest ND grad, they'd still need work, whether color balance, highlights, foreground... i still ended up needing to do something. Layer masks are great, and i've actually found myself in the position where i've used ND grads for two exposures as well.. although, i could have probably gone without the hassle of using the ND grad and just exposed individually for sky and foreground anyway.. the extra exposure was for back up so I wasn't left with an image i couldn't use (I always exposure bracket - my last line of defense is photomatix/HDR). I've taken a few without ND grad's as well now, and blended them in using masks, so it makes me wonder how much these grad's are needed if you're bringing the tripod. The layer masks are worth considering as a tool. I've even seen me use one exposure - make a copy for sky, and foreground, and blend them in with masks. :) this is probably very similar though to using the adjustment brush in adobe camera RAW, or lightroom, but you have got the added advantage of adding more layers to blend things in.

If it's single image use and/or hand held photography then a good quality ND grad is hard to argue against that's for sure :)

[Puffin]

[QUOTE=I'll try and make an in-depth tutorial for you tonight. I've got a few photo's where i've done this already :)[/QUOTE]

Cheers Jonny, only if you have time, I'm trying to find one - remember to make it simple! lol

[tenchy]

I do hear what you are saying Jonny, and I agree with bracketed shots you can do a lot.
I do find myself having more success lately with a single frame though.
Also, one particular shot comes to mind:
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/42326-Hazy-sunset-tweak-better?highlight=arthur%27s+stone
I like this one, but on the day, the naked eye and naked camera did not see what is presented here!
The ND filters acted as sunglasses I guess and truly the difference between naked ey and through viewfinder with NDs fitted was very surprising. Naked eye was pack up and go home time in terms of the sky. It was just a white haze.

[royalpython]

It is a very good result Steve :) I know you can get results from ND grad's, i have some a like also, just thought i'd throw another suggestion in the air. I'm not fussy about what the camera gives me as long as it's the correct exposure. I know a lot of people want to get it 100% perfect in camera, but i actually don't believe it really properly exists if i'm completely honest. You can get things close, but not 100% - maybe my version of 100% involves all the tweaks, and others don't want them.

At least i'm not too much of a snob to admit all this... do i get credit for that? lol :) My photography sucks in reality really... :)

[tenchy]

I'm all for PP as you know. But the more I can deal with on the day the better for me.

[carlb40]

Cheers Jonny, only if you have time, I'm trying to find one - remember to make it simple! lol

Linda look on youtube - split RAW is what your looking for

[Puffin]

Linda look on youtube - split RAW is what your looking for

Cheers Carl, will check it out.

[mywainwrights]

Must admit I always use ND grads while I'm out. most of the time I don't have the time to spot and mess around using tripods, and TBH never have to do that much in Lightroom afterwards to get the exposure right.

[royalpython]

I think it depends what your photographing - if general day time I find it easier to get a balanced exposure without nd grads, or any second exposures, but I do find sunsets and sunrises a little more awkward, even with a grad, shooting into the sun.

I should actually rephrase the - "I'm not fussy what the camera gives me" to - I make sure I have the settings, the angle, focus and exposure.

[Minor Problem]

If the image I am after has a straight unbroken horizon like a lot of my seascapes do then I use grad ND's but if there are any hills, buildings, trees or foreground that will look unnatural with a dark blend up through them then I use multiple exposures and layer masks to blend them together in PS. It all depends on the landscape...

[Cee Jay]

Thanks for all the input very useful..now to put it into practise.

[royalpython]

Split RAW or exposure blending.

Here's a few links for exposure blending, but in all honesty there's quite a lot of methods you can try i reckon :)

http://layersmagazine.com/exposure-blending-in-photoshop.html

http://www.tonyhowell.co.uk/new/digitalblending.htm

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml

[carpman1611]

never use , tried and didnt like , full grad for slow exposures but for scapes tend to lightly use hdr instead .