Archive 2020 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

bclimey
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

The last time I used a G/D, Cokin G1 and G2, was with my film camera and slide film. I am using Nikon NX-2 and NX-D to darken the skies in my images and I am wondering if I will see any improvements in my skies if I shoot with a new G/D filter. I shoot raw.
So if any of you landscape photographers use a filter please let me know.

Sep 05, 2020 at 05:11 PM

xterra07
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

I use a Lee graduated density filter, 2 stop hard, sometimes 2 stop soft, sometimes together (foreground soft, background hard). It effects my motivation and composition in a good way.
There is always Photoshop needed for adjustments afterwards whether it's a single image or multiple combined, but this is a tool I enjoy using in the field.

In an image like this you might get the cactus top darker than the rest (while i want the sky darker, a side effect would be to get parts of the cactus to go dark as well, not desirable, sometimes noticeable), or you may get a line of darkness where it doesn't belong, or you may get flare shooting into the sun with an added glass/resin surface, so there are dangers, and sometimes I take the filter off because of that. So you may either not use it, or take pictures with/without the filter and overlay certain parts.

Some people don't use these filters and do all adjustments in Photoshop instead.

http://robertbody.com/images/850/2019-07-26-santa-rita-viv1-7to2-a7r3_17636.jpg

Edited on Sep 05, 2020 at 10:24 PM · View previous versions

Sep 05, 2020 at 05:24 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

I learned that it was less time consuming overall to deal with a situation while taking the shots than to wait and do it in post processing. Initially many people, myself included, thought that post processing was the way to go and I was turned on by being able to dodge and burn color images, something that was not possible in the darkroom.

I still use ND filters but not as much as before with film. It is a judgement call as to whether to do at the time of exposures or later on the computer.

Sep 05, 2020 at 05:44 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

Sep 05, 2020 at 05:59 PM

dbehrens
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

I shoot brackets.

Sep 06, 2020 at 11:14 AM

01Ryan10
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

I would use ND grads and reverse ND grads. I stopped over a year ago once I felt like I mastered luminosity masks.

I will still use a 10 stop filter from time to time, (even thought you can reproduce in PS with many consecutive exposures).

I think the only Non Colored filter that is still necessary is the polarizer. Cutting reflections is just something I don't think software can do....yet.

Sep 06, 2020 at 11:19 AM

guyharrison
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

I have a complete gnd set (H&Y magnetic). I prefer to control contrast at the time of the shot, especially if it is a rapidly changing scene (moving clouds, shifting light, rainbows, etc) that might be a "one shot" moment. Where possible I do shoot brackets and then can use pp. But, and maybe this is because I am a little "old school," I find that properly used gnd filters give a more organic and natural feel to the shot, without any trace of "HDR look."

And, I prefer as little time as possible on the computer, and gnds help there, a lot. Also, regular NDs to increase exposure times. I would rather have one really fine 4 minute exposure than have to go home and blend 24 ten second shots.

Sep 08, 2020 at 01:13 PM

bclimey
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

Thanks everyone for replying with your very useful information. I photographed a sunset the other night and used a grad filter on the sky but the dark area of the filter covered a tree line and killed the detail. I also bracketed 3 stops and did a HDR but I didn't like the result. On the normal exposed image I was able to make the sky bright pink with detail and used the shadow slider to bring up the detail in the tree line.
guyharrison, you mentioned H&Y filters...can you give me their full name so I can check them out. Thanks

Sep 08, 2020 at 01:30 PM

xterra07
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

If all was good other than the trees, you can use an image without the filter and just import the tree part, overlay.

Sep 08, 2020 at 01:49 PM

guyharrison
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Graduated filters, do we need them?

bclimey wrote:
Thanks everyone for replying with your very useful information. I photographed a sunset the other night and used a grad filter on the sky but the dark area of the filter covered a tree line and killed the detail. I also bracketed 3 stops and did a HDR but I didn't like the result. On the normal exposed image I was able to make the sky bright pink with detail and used the shadow slider to bring up the detail in the tree line.
guyharrison, you mentioned H&Y filters...can you give me their full name so I can check them...Show more →

Their name is actually H&Y Filters. They make the absolute best holder (which takes drop-in 95mm polarizers and nds--for best wide angle coverage) and 100x100 and 100 x 150 filters. Every range and type imaginable. I have 2, 3, and 4 stop hard, soft and reverse NDs in 100x150. I have 5, 10 and 15 stop nds in 100x100. If you want, you can get combined CPL/NDs in 3, 5 or 6 stop densities, along with light pollution filters, a simple ND band that is clear above and below, and a variety of drop-in nd strengths if you don't want to use the polarizer.

The holder comes with 67, 72, 77 and 82mm adapter rings that screw on the lens and the holder easily clips on. The polarizer is built in and has a remote dial for turning the filter if others are stacked on top. The square/rectangular filter holder is two magnetic strips on either side of the polarizer. The square/rect filters are in metal frames, or if you already have some filters, you can buy 100x100 or 100 x 150 frames that fit onto any 2 mm thick glass or plastic filter. H&Y and a company called Marumi make the filters already installed in the magnetic frames. There are gaskets at all points to prevent light leaks. I have stacked up to 3 filters on top of the polarizer and the magnetic hold stays strong and no vignetting at 16mm. They slide easily up and down, and are instant on-and-off with no clunky slots that need lining up and sliding. As a bonus, the metal frames protect the filters from fingerprints and scratches and give you a very solid surface to grip. They are Schott optical glass (or optical Gorilla Glass) fully multi-coated and hard coated. The color is very neutral even in the high densities. I would add that they filter evenly even into the infrared range and work with IR photography, something important for me but not for everyone.

I have been shooting over 50 years and used a variety of filters (Galen Rowell, Cokin, Lee) and these, by far, are the most superior product I have ever seen. I have over $1,000 invested in my system and consider it as essential as another lens.

I found them (H&Y and Marumi) on ebay and amazon. Best prices there but you might have to shop several times to get full availability. I don't know if B&H or Adorama has them. There is also and H&Y website if you search for it.

Sep 08, 2020 at 03:10 PM


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