I've got a 450D with the kit 18-55mm IS and a good tripod for it. I'm looking at getting some ND filters for sunrise/sunset shots - mostly costal. I've currently just got a Hoya SHMC PRO-1 Cir-PL.
I was looking at a getting the Cokin ND kit but then saw people saying that the colours aren't so good with them and that Lee ones are much better.
I am wondering if I should go with Cokin to start then Lee in a few years (if I can afford it...) or if I should wait and get a Lee holder and a Lee ND grad to start then build my ND collection up slowly.
I just got my Lee holder and Hitech filters in the mail today! I am using mine for primarily coastal/marine application too. Everything I have read about the Hitechs and all of the pictures I have seen using them indicate a good quality filter with little color cast, if any. Another big factor in choosing them, is the fact that for everything I have read about these filters, I haven't seen any complaints. They are a great starting point. You can always upgrade to Lee or Singh Rays if you feel the need. BTW, www.2filter.com worked great for me.
@DTResio -> I did see the Hitech ones as well and did wonder but hadn't heard of them before. Looks like it could be worth a look to start with and see how I go with it.
Would I be right in thinking the Lee holder would be the recommended way to go then....?
So I guess the next logical question is which ND is going to be the most useful to me to start with....
The hard version of the Hitech 100mm Grad Kit 4 (ND0.3, ND0.6, ND0.9) Filter looks like quite good value...basically 3 filters for the price of 2. I recon this should do me to start with.....
One (hopefully) quick question. I see there are 2 different adaptors available - a wide angle one and a standard. Is it worth getting the wide angle - I'm guessing I shouldn't get any vignetting at 18mm so the standard should do the job..Is that right?
chinny wrote:
So I guess the next logical question is which ND is going to be the most useful to me to start with....
The hard version of the Hitech 100mm Grad Kit 4 (ND0.3, ND0.6, ND0.9) Filter looks like quite good value...basically 3 filters for the price of 2. I recon this should do me to start with.....
That is a good value. Generally, the base set is a 3-stop hard and a 2-stop soft.
I initially bought the Cokin A series set & immediately put them all on ebay, the colour cast was quite shocking. I since bought the Lee system (ND, ND grads & holder) & they are great, no colour cast whatsoever & no effect on image quality.
The Lee system is a great way to go if you can afford it, that said I have also heard good thing about the Hitech & Singh Ray products.
OK I just went out to play with the new filter set on my 5D. I bought the standard adaptor ring. It appears to vingette a little below 20mm on my 17-40. I'm sure the wide angle would handle the full frame and wide angle. The standard should work fine on your 450 with 18mm though. Maybe someone else has your set up, and can give better advice.
I bought the standard ring for a reason though. I currently have a CPL that is a thin mount (no front threads). In order to use the ND filter with my CPL I had to get the standard adaptor which has front threads.
yep now if you can return that and get the wide angle or SWA (thats how its marked on the ring) and try again. on a 1Ds2 i got down to 16mm with minor vignetting at 2 points in 360 deg of filter housing rotation and with it built up with 2 slots.
sjms, The wide angle ring cannot take a CPL (unless you buy a 105mm CPL and attachment kit) so it would not be very useful to me. I do have 3 slots on the holder, so I could take one of the slots off of the holder and get below 20mm, if needed.
