I am looking to buy Graduated Neutral Density Filters for my outdoor photography and would like to know if anyone here can give me some advice on what brands they would recommend and any other things I might need to take into consideration prior to purhasing them. Thanks, Tim
Graduated Neutral Density Filters
- Thread starter JerseyGenesis
- Start date
Well there are two types, 1 you screw into the lens and is the easiest to use and carry.The 2nd made by Cokin or Lee.The 2nd one needs lens adapter rings and a holder.These links should help.Most of my filters are from Hoya.
Graduated neutral density filter to reduce the exposure range between sky and foreground I would tell you to read At least the first link
http://www.bythom.com/filters.htm
http://www.hoyafilter.com/products/hoya/oef-05.html
http://www.nathangriffin.com/technical/how_to_graduated_nd.htm
Graduated neutral density filter to reduce the exposure range between sky and foreground I would tell you to read At least the first link
http://www.bythom.com/filters.htm
http://www.hoyafilter.com/products/hoya/oef-05.html
http://www.nathangriffin.com/technical/how_to_graduated_nd.htm
I have been using this 'el cheapo' hand held Cavision for videography and it has met my amateur needs. It is actually plastic although the description says glass.
Example Photo: This ice in foreground was almost black without it.
Another:
Another:
Example Photo: This ice in foreground was almost black without it.
Another:
Another:
Thanks dogg57 & PancoastDrifter. I'm relatively new to photography and I am finding that a lot of the pictures I take at dawn or dusk, that the ground is way too dark. I have been able to increase the light using Photoshop but the use of filters will make it a lot easier. Nice Photos PancoastDrifter.
ND Grads are a great tool for landscapes - the ideal setup is a matte box with rotating filter stages and 4" glass filters. I have a professional HD camera with a Century-Schneider mattebox that works really well, but it probably cost more than your whole camera. 
Otherwise, a setup similar the the second one in Dogg's post is probably a good option. It would allow you to slide the filter up and down and rotate it - this is important so that you can compose the shot the way you like and align it properly with the horizon. I have a similar cheap plastic holder that I bought 10 years ago which is part of Cokin's line of square glass filters. It might be a good way to do some experimentation without spending much money. This looks like it here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387434-REG/Cokin_CH250_Graduated_Neutral_Density_Filter.html
Otherwise, a setup similar the the second one in Dogg's post is probably a good option. It would allow you to slide the filter up and down and rotate it - this is important so that you can compose the shot the way you like and align it properly with the horizon. I have a similar cheap plastic holder that I bought 10 years ago which is part of Cokin's line of square glass filters. It might be a good way to do some experimentation without spending much money. This looks like it here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387434-REG/Cokin_CH250_Graduated_Neutral_Density_Filter.html