Looking for advice, on what filters you use for GND that most folks use for landscapes etc... Is it the Conkin system with holder etc, or something better that you expereinced folks endorse. Thks don
Gr Neutral denisty filters
Looking for advice, on what filters you use for GND that most folks use for landscapes etc... Is it the Conkin system with holder etc, or something better that you expereinced folks endorse. Thks don
Hi Don your best bet for advice here will be Roman !!
I use the Singh-Ray Filters Don't use a holder and just place in front of the lens, want to cut the bulk down !! They make all sorts, I use the three stop ND and the Graduated ND/polarized screw in filter .. btw don't go into shock when you see the prices :) ..also use the Tony Sweet Filter !!! Check out the site is interesting/informative !!!
Thks Al, i'll see if Roman chimes in here, also should i check the site for the Tony Sweet Filter website?
Going to Ospry heaven Friday am.... hope to capture some of the magic you have been showing us!
Don
Check out the Singh-Ray site !!! ... Tony Sweet has also some things to sell .. do look at his books !! He is one creative person, have all of them !!!
Hey Don,
Currently own 2 singh Rays....the 3 and 2 stop soft stop in the 4x6 size. I have also had the Lee filters and bought the holders.....I don't feel you need the holders....and find the Lee GND's equal to the Singh Ray's. Only brand I found was greyish was the Cokin brand.....but since I haven't owned one in over 12 years......can't say for sure.
#1 recommendation when purchasing the GND filter is the 4x6 size.......no fingers protruding into the frame!!! If you were to buy only 1....the 4x6 3 stop, soft edge GND.....yeah in Florida you have nice horizon lines where a hard edge works but in most cases the soft edge is the ticket. Another VG option for the Floridians or coastal dwellers is the reverse GND......will darken horizon more and the top goes clear......think about it....sun low on horizon....that's where you want the strongest gradation!
Hope this helps or just PM me with any more questions!
Roman, great stuff, really appreciate it, and the chat as well. Another question, the Vario GND, looks and sounds great, the question is, say we have the same type of landscape intention, rocks on the beach forefront, and the sunrise as bkg, how does the vario not make the entire image darker as you turn the "ND" up, unlike the handheld 4x6 which can be positon up or down.. just curious, seems like this is the ticket for harsh light , yet it's not selective as the entire FOV, will be affected, or am i missing the boat, perhpas an example where you would want to use this little gem.. thks don
Yes the GND will darken the rocks so you have to be careful not to make them black but with proper exposure and still using the GND's on the sky......not really that big of a problem. Here is an exmaple of using both; http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=16372
Needed to balance the sky with the FG.....otherwise rocks would be black.
At the risk of asking a very bad question, would it be possible to obviate the need for such filters by using Viveza PP to select and adjust what is above or below the horizon? For example, there is a Nik Software tutorial showing how to use Viveza to darken the full sky. Could one obtain good results that way?
Norm
Hi Norm Good question !!! I would be possible but remember altering the image to such an extent will have a negative impact. Much better to get it right in camera to start !!! The use of ND is simple Just hold the filter over the lens and see the result. With live view its even easier to see !!!
The filters that have been replace are the ones warming, cooling etc Easier in PS !! .. one that has not been replaced is the polarizer. They have them in software but not even close, they just enhance saturation.
Thanks Al!!! Couldn't have said it better myself.
Norm, there is another side of using PP'ing that may negatively impact your image.....may not be used in many photo contests. Agree or disagree.......I can actually make a VG argument for both sides but for now.....I find it quicker and more effective to use the filters. Takes about 5 seconds tops to use the filter.....can't be that fast on the computer. I have seen excellent exposure blends by many that combine 2 exposures......very effective also but as I said.....probably requires a lot more time and effort for a VG look which is why I still prefer the grads. Polariser is still also a must have filter.
OK. I'm convinced of the value of ND filters! Many thanks to everyone for your expert advice!
But you can't get off that easily. What would be the best ND filter to use for the landscapes of South Georgia Island, when there is likely to be snow on the ground?
Norm
Last edited by Norm Dulak; 06-02-2010 at 04:28 PM.
I'm presuming that due to the brightness of the landscape on South Georgia Island, a ND filter may not be necessary. If that is incorrect, please let me know.
Norm
Well Norm,
not entirely correct.....you will be on the boat and with the high ISO capabilities of todays cameras.....you may want to do a landscape of 2 from the boat when the light is sweet!
don, i have two of the 3-stop HiTech filters. the big ones. cheap and awesome!! i also bought the cokin z series holder because i'm lazy and that's how i roll!! i love those filters. i think they are hard to beat. on a different note, i do wish i had that singh ray vari ND filter. i will have one someday!
hey, roman. as far as that reverse ND filter, cant you just flip over a regular GND and it do the same thing?
Negatory....nyet....nine!.....if you flip the split ND.....you will see the edge! Wishful thinking!...You expect any camera manufacturer to make anything cheap?!!!....and easy?!!!....just ask Gitzo! ...sorry (not really)...cheap shot!Originally Posted by harold davis
PS....stil cheaper on the vari ND than most equipment!
Last edited by Roman Kurywczak; 06-03-2010 at 06:29 PM. Reason: added ps
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