Help with ND filters

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Will Patterson
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p.1 #1 · Help with ND filters

I'm trying to figure out what GND filters to buy to make my skies a little better when a CP doesn't work.

I know of www.2filter.com and have bought my CP's and UV filters through them, but their website isn't the best. Can someone point me in the right direction, including any other websites I could order them from? I need 77mm filters.

THANKS a ton!

- Will

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 02:53 PM

Mike Ganz
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p.1 #2 · Help with ND filters

I wouldn't recommend round GND filters (unless you really, really want round filters). The demarcation line is generally smack in the middle of the filter, which doesn't allow you any wiggle room if you need to make an adjustment to suit your composition. For GND's, you'd be better off with square or rectangular filters from Hitech or Lee. There's also Singh Ray, but at a considerably higher cost. The square and rectangular filters can be slid up or down within the holder to fine-tune the placement of the demarcation line (not so with round ones).

On the 2filter.com homepage, click on the catalog link on the left hand side of the page. On the next page, scroll down the right hand side...there you'll see links for Hitech, Lee, and Cokin brand filters. They have some packages available for each manufacturer (IIRC). For what its worth, I'm using the Lee filter holder with the normal and wide abgle adapter rings, along with Hitech GND's. I originally tried the Cokin Z-Pro holder, but didn't care much for the design. The Lee holder is only a few dollars more, but well worth it IMO.

Just noticed that your thread title refers to ND filters, but the thread itself mentions GND filters. Just in case you did mean 'ND', they're also available in square and rectangular format from the names mentioned above. You can also get them in round style...I bought several round B+W ND's from this site: Filter link

To avoid stacking multiple densities of ND filters, another option is the Singh Ray Vario ND filter...its a single round variable ND filter that will give you anywhere from 2 to 8 stops in light reduction. Its only in two sizes (as far as I know), with 77mm being one of them. Its a bit pricey, though (~$350)...but then again, what isn't.

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 05:52 PM

mrladewig
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p.1 #3 · Help with ND filters

Will,

Like Mike, I would recommend a square/rectangular filter system.

I also use the Hitech GNDs. They aren't the best, but I think they offer a good cost to performance ratio.

I'd recommend 2 stop and 3 stop in hard an soft edges if you can swing it. I'm using the Cokin P 85mm size. With my EF-S 10-22 and 65mm 4X5, I can use the Cokin P-wide holder (1 slot) so long as I don't put any tilt into the holder. With all my other lenses I can use the standard 3 slot Cokin holder.

Mel-

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 05:59 PM

Will Patterson
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p.1 #4 · Help with ND filters

Thanks very much for the input! And yes, as I should have mentioned, I was looking at 4x4 filters, my dad always had them when I was growing up and I know they're the best to use.

I did some searching and found this page - http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

Look decent? I think so! Not bad for the price.

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 08:20 PM

mrladewig
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p.1 #5 · Help with ND filters

It isn't a huge difference on those parts from B&H, but there is some. I think their individual priced filters are more expensive than B&H by a dollar or so. That kit does include the basic stuff that you need, but I suspect that you'll want additional filters.

I would try to order it at once to save the cost of shipping. Do you need other ring sizes such as 58mm? Do you know which strengths and transitions you'll need? I recommend you purchase the 4 filters I suggested above, but if you'll only get one, I'd suggest starting with a 2 stop hard edge (0.6 HL).

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 09:21 PM

Will Patterson
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p.1 #6 · Help with ND filters

Well as of right now I only have 77mm sized rings on my two lenses, I'm thinking about picking up a 50 1.4 and that's what, 67mm? So I may get a different ring adapter at that poiint.

But what I'll do is go ahead and order this kit and then figure out what else I want/need. Thanks again for the reply(s).

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 13, 2007 at 09:36 PM

mrladewig
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p.1 #7 · Help with ND filters

The Canon 50/1.4 is a 58mm front thread as are several other consumer primes and zooms (28/1.8,85/1.8,100/2,28-105f3.5-4.5,24-85f3.5-4.5). I'd just order the ring when you need it in this case.

One thing about GND filters on the 50/1.4. In my experience the meter has trouble with a GND on this lens. Because of the extremely large aperture, the filter is very out of focus and it seems to trick the meter into overexposing the shot. I had to dial roughly EC -2 to get a proper exposure. You are better off to shoot manually and check the histogram with this combination.

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 14, 2007 at 04:49 AM

nathanlake
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p.1 #8 · Help with ND filters

I recommend Cokin.

http://www.cokin.com/

Edited on Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Nov 14, 2007 at 07:54 PM

monoprint
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p.1 #9 · Help with ND filters

You can also just hold the filter in front of the lens with your hand or secure it with a couple pieces of gaffer tape.

Nov 15, 2007 at 07:16 PM


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