Neutral Density Filter

[rbudiardjo]

Hi,

I would like to get ND filters but I am not sure which brand to get and which spec I should get. Should I get full ND filter or graduated filter? I'd like to get a good one since I try to avoid having a stack of filters/lens that I won't use in the future. Can anybody give me some suggestions?

Thanks a lot

[ricktas]

what are you going to use them for> ND grads are to balance the difference between the light intensity (say a bright sky against a dark ground). ND's just reduce the light to the sensor fully (good for slow shutter speed waterfall shots etc).

The Cokin P system is a good starting point.

[hoffy]

SNAP.....just got back from 3 days holidays & this was going to be my first question as well!!

I was trying to do wet rocks against a sunset & was screaming out for ND! (I was using a Cokin Sunset graduated filter though!) Would I be correct in saying that a graduated would have been the best option? If so, what strength? I notice that Cokin do a few gradiated in different styles.

[ricktas]

get the set...hehe. _ ive got ND2 / ND4 / ND8. The one you use depends on how strong the variance in brightness is between the ground and the sky (or you can stack em too)

I really wish Cokin would bring out one that is dark in the middle and fades out to the top and bottom edges though, cause if the sun is near the horizon that is the bit that needs most of the ND strength.

[arthurking83]

Hey Rick.. have you checked out SingRay's line of reverse GND's?

singh-ray

scroll down to the 'Daryl Benson' section.

I've been contemplating at least a couple of their filters.. but haven't committed yet only becasue I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with the Cokin P size or upgrade to the Z-Pro.
Singray's are damned expensive filters but reputed to be of high quality.

[ricktas]

Yeah I have AK, you are right about the $$, but their reputation certainly seems to warrant.justify the price at times.

One day i will probably get myself one of those, if Cokin dont bring out one.

[rbudiardjo]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to use them for the landscape photo for both objects. I read in one of the websites saying that Cokin filter is not true neutral but I don't know what it means. Does it mean that the end colour is not good?

Yeah, I've looked at the price of the other brands and they are very costly

[ricktas]

re Cokin, yeah they appear not to be true neutral. If you stack them, under certain conditions, you can see a magenta colour cast in your skies (or whatever is covered by the stacked ND's). It is not apparent all the time, but appears occasionally.

Lee filters do not have this happen.

It isnt a major issue and can be recitified in PS fairly easily.

[rbudiardjo]

thanks a lot rick!

any suggestion where the cheapest place is to get the filters?

[ricktas]

www.vanbar.com.au are fairly good, Their website takes a bit of negotiating though.

[hoffy]

http://www.filtershop.com.au/

They have a cracking range of filters of all brands

[znelbok]

Excellent timing

After yesterdays day out to get some practise, the waterfall was too bright for a good exposure. I new the filter needed, but this has just clarified what I was thinking and given some great insight to other options and where to buy from.

Thanks Guys

Mick

[Norton]

if you can wait get the best, a singh-ray variable contrast is on my list.

[rbudiardjo]

thank you guys

need to ask another question... my brain gets tangled now

does Cokin GND filter come with hard and soft edges? I've been browsing the website yesterday and found one GND that says ND8 soft. Does it mean it has soft edge? or do all GND filters from Cokin have soft transition?

thanks heaps for your help

[mpot]

(whoops...double post - why can't I delete my own posts?)

[mpot]

does Cokin GND filter come with hard and soft edges? I've been browsing the website yesterday and found one GND that says ND8 soft. Does it mean it has soft edge? or do all GND filters from Cokin have soft transition?

They have grad filters with hard edges and soft edges (ie, the transition from ND to clear).

Cheers,
Martin.

[rbudiardjo]

oh ok... thanks I'll ask the seller first before placing the order.

[znelbok]

If I go for a ND filter (non graduated), is the normal screw on type OK to use, or am I better off getting a Cokin type so that when and if I get a graduated filter its suitable for both?

Are there any drawbacks to either?

Mick

[ricktas]

screw on is good, remembering that it will only fit lenses with the same diameter thread. You can get step up/down rings, but these become a bit less effective at times.

It really depends on whether you think that in the future you might want to get creative, buying things like graduated blue/ tabacco and others, if thats the case, then a cokin system would be good. If you are investing in a lifetime of photography, maybe the cokin system straight off means you can get additional filters etc anytime.

But in the end it is really your choice.

[rbudiardjo]

hi rick, really good points. thanks