ND Filters

[2Tiggies]

Could someone tell me what the difference is between a graduated and a variable ND filter?

I know there have been questions asked on the fireworks thread but decided to post a new one, since that was supposed to be for sharing photos of fireworks and I think I was largely responsible for derailing it with questions

 

[Cafeen]

Graduated passed the exit exam...erm...wait... no, that's not it.

Graduated filters typically are "half and half", where half the filter has the effect and the other half doesn't. It also means that the effect tends to fade out toward that centerline, so there is more ND-ness at the "top" of the filter than near the middle. (Note: "Top" can be pointed down, or left, or right, or however you put the filter on)

Varible ND filters offer variable ND effects, so one filter can be used as a 1-stop through whatever stop. The ND-ness covers the entire filter, rather than a portion of it.

 

[2Tiggies]

Graduated passed the exit exam...erm...wait... no, that's not it.

Graduated filters typically are "half and half", where half the filter has the effect and the other half doesn't. It also means that the effect tends to fade out toward that centerline, so there is more ND-ness at the "top" of the filter than near the middle. (Note: "Top" can be pointed down, or left, or right, or however you put the filter on)

Varible ND filters offer variable ND effects, so one filter can be used as a 1-stop through whatever stop. The ND-ness covers the entire filter, rather than a portion of it.

Thanks, that makes sense.

I have decided to rent one for my trip (since I bought the lens I was going to rent ) and figured it is likely at this stage to be a once of use and I'd rather pay to rent a really good one than buy a so-so one.

I will go with a variable then, unless anyone suggests a reason as to why graduated would be better for fireworks. I am guessing a graduated then is a better option for outdoor, natural light shots than for fireworks (?)

 

[HPS3]

I don't know how much it cost to rent one but it might not be much more expensive to buy one. I have the Hoya ND400 and love it. I don't notice any loss in quality. You have to watch the cheaper ones because you're putting an extra piece of glass on your lens.

 

[ThurlFan]

Graduated are great for landscapes where you risk having the sky washed out because you are exposing for the foreground elements.

 

[2Tiggies]

I don't know how much it cost to rent one but it might not be much more expensive to buy one. I have the Hoya ND400 and love it. I don't notice any loss in quality. You have to watch the cheaper ones because you're putting an extra piece of glass on your lens.

I won't go for a cheap one (I mean the unbranded or unknown ones) so yes, it will cost me more to rent on that to buy one of those, but I won't consider one of those in any event.

It is going to cost me slightly less than buying a Hoya ND 400 to rent a B&W variable one and my reasoning behind the plan is that having never used one and never attempted fireworks photos before, I don't really know what kind of filter is suited to me if any at this stage. So by renting a good quality variable (that I couldn't afford to buy at this stage) I should be able to get a feel for what works for me with the type of photos I take this trip and I can work from there. Then if I do discover that I would benefit from a ND filter, I can save later for a really good quality one. Or is that warped logic?

Graduated are great for landscapes where you risk having the sky washed out because you are exposing for the foreground elements.

Thanks