neutral density filters

[VVFF]

Anyone have any experience with this? There is very little about this company out there, but a couple posts on dpreview seem pretty positive. Doesn't seem to be too bad of a price for what it does...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fader-ND-Filter...ewItemQQptZCamera_Filters?hash=item2eaa047136

ETA: "# According to the optics theorem, it is not recommended to apply this filter for wide angle lens (<24mm, 35mm film format equivalent)." Why is that? I may be going to an 8mm (what is that, like 12mm equivalent?) and most of the shots I need this filter for are UWA, so that alone might be a dealbreaker. Is it just a minor vignetting problem?

Could be a severe vignetting problem with a filter that wide.

 

[greens_in_WA]

We're doing a road trip this summer to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and was looking for information on photographing the Tetons. I found the following sites:
http://www.outdooreyes.com/story8.php3
and
http://web.archive.org/web/20041010213017/http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/content/2003/aug/howto_graduated.html

These talk about using a GND and I'm wondering how many people use them and do they see a big difference? Also do you use a round filter that you screw onto your lens or a square one that you can handhold (I've heard this is better so you can vary the degree of density that is used).

 

[Altair]

Just a heads-up for the Tetons. Do not miss what's known as Morman Row. It's a row of old homesteads with lots of great barns with the Tetons in the background. It is found off Antelope Flats Road and best visited in the early morning to catch the great light.

 

[ukcatfan]

These talk about using a GND and I'm wondering how many people use them and do they see a big difference? Also do you use a round filter that you screw onto your lens or a square one that you can handhold (I've heard this is better so you can vary the degree of density that is used).

I would not recommend handheld, b/c that would be downright frustrating. Check the Cokin filter system. It is square and rotatable, so you can move it to about anywhere in the shot.

 

[greens_in_WA]

I would not recommend handheld, b/c that would be downright frustrating. Check the Cokin filter system. It is square and rotatable, so you can move it to about anywhere in the shot.

So something like this one?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/238969-REG/Cokin_CP121F_P121F_Graduated_G2_Full.html

 

[ukcatfan]

Yes, but be aware that you need the adapter ring and the filter holder as well. Those two things should run around $30 together. Make sure you get the right series of items. (i.e. do not get an A filter and P filter holder) I suggest the P series for general DSLR use.

 

[greens_in_WA]

Yes, but be aware that you need the adapter ring and the filter holder as well. Those two things should run around $30 together. Make sure you get the right series of items. (i.e. do not get an A filter and P filter holder) I suggest the P series for general DSLR use.

Thanks for the advice, I think this will fit the bill to start:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387451-REG/Cokin_CH50358_Neutral_Graduated_Starter_Kit.html

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks for the advice, I think this will fit the bill to start:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387451-REG/Cokin_CH50358_Neutral_Graduated_Starter_Kit.html

I believe that is the one I have. I also picked up a ND filter and a blue/red polarized filter. It is not really that useful but fun to use and I got it for about $15. Here are some example shots:

 

[greens_in_WA]

I believe that is the one I have. I also picked up a ND filter and a blue/red polarized filter. It is not really that useful but fun to use and I got it for about $15. Here are some example shots:

That's a cool effect, #2 is pretty trippy, I can see that they would be lots of fun to play with. I currently only have a standard polarizer filter, so I have plenty of opportunity to start a collection.

 

[GrillMouster]

The problem with screw-on filters is that the transition point may not align with the horizon or wherever you want the transition point to be in the frame. There are holders for the square Cokin and Lee filters that will hold the filters in place and you can adjust where in the frame the transition is. Unless I'm going to do a long exposure, I prefer to just hold the square filter right up against the front of the lens. It was such a simple solution that didn't occur to me until I saw world-famous travel/nature photographer Art Wolfe do it.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks for the advice, I think this will fit the bill to start:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387451-REG/Cokin_CH50358_Neutral_Graduated_Starter_Kit.html

Hi I saw your post and I was wondering, does the Cokin come with different filter ring sizes and does it actually screw onto an existing lens? I noticed this kit says 58mm. I'm confused. I can't figure out how the Cokin system actually sits on the lens. But I'm interested in getting one to help with blown out skies. I currently have a screw on and it's hard to see when it's on if it's aligned with the horizon. Thanks for any info.

 

[ukcatfan]

Hi I saw your post and I was wondering, does the Cokin come with different filter ring sizes and does it actually screw onto an existing lens? I noticed this kit says 58mm. I'm confused. I can't figure out how the Cokin system actually sits on the lens. But I'm interested in getting one to help with blown out skies. I currently have a screw on and it's hard to see when it's on if it's aligned with the horizon. Thanks for any info.

Yes, there are different sizes. And yes they screw on. I bought the holder and adapter separate since most of my lenses are 52mm. If you have multiple size lenses, you could probably go for the biggest and use a step up ring as long as it is not too much different.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Yes, there are different sizes. And yes they screw on. I bought the holder and adapter separate since most of my lenses are 52mm. If you have multiple size lenses, you could probably go for the biggest and use a step up ring as long as it is not too much different.

Oh cool~ Thanks for the info! How would I know if there is too much difference in size? I have some lenses that are 77mm or 72mm and others that are 52mm.

 

[ukcatfan]

Oh cool~ Thanks for the info! How would I know if there is too much difference in size? I have some lenses that are 77mm or 72mm and others that are 52mm.

Using a step up ring to go from 52mm to 77mm would probably be too much and need multiple rings and that adds the risk of vignetting. The might be a 52mm to 77mm ring, but I would doubt it. If in your shoes, I would get a 52mm adapter, a 77mm adapter, and a 72mm to 77mm step up ring.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Using a step up ring to go from 52mm to 77mm would probably be too much and need multiple rings and that adds the risk of vignetting. The might be a 52mm to 77mm ring, but I would doubt it. If in your shoes, I would get a 52mm adapter, a 77mm adapter, and a 72mm to 77mm step up ring.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&Q=&Ntt=52mm%20-%2077mm&A=endecaSearch

 

[ukcatfan]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&Q=&Ntt=52mm%20-%2077mm&A=endecaSearch

There you go. I would say that you can just get the77mm adapter and the two step up rings and that should cover you.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&Q=&Ntt=52mm%20-%2077mm&A=endecaSearch

There you go. I would say that you can just get the77mm adapter and the two step up rings and that should cover you.

Thank you both! Sorry took so long to respond; having computer issues.