ND Grads

[bulb763]

The GF has asked what I want for valentines day already! Since a 18-200VR is a bit beyond the call of duty, I was thinking of a set of cokin filters. I've seen the results of using ND Grads on some of the pictures on here (Steve), and I realise that they will be pretty useful for landscapey type stuff, so I want some.

But its no good me just saying I want some ND Grad filters, as she won't have a clue - and at the moment neither do I! So can anyone recommend which one(s) to get. 2/4/8? What do these numbers mean? Which is most useful? While I'm talking about filters, are there any others that I might find useful?

I have inherited a cokin A holder and a small collection of wierd filters from my Aunt. Is it worth going for P size Grads - which would mean a new holder - or is A size enough? I'm worried I might struggle to fit P size stuff in my bag!

Thanks for your help - always appreciated

[megy]

You can get a kit with a p holder and 3 grad filters for about 40 quid.

[te51cle]

I found problems with vignetting on the A series on 24mm my prime lens and around 32mm or wider on zooms when using film so would expect the same at around 20mm or wider on digital lenses. I've used the P series without problems for half a dozen years or so. I found the ones in boxes tended to rub their edges away on the sides of the boxes and depositing a fine powder on them. I got myself a Lee filter pouch and keep them in there now as that means they're not rattling around.

[_dobbo_]

I have the p-series ND Grad kit with holder etc, no noticable vignetting at 10mm.

Bargain at £40 but you need to also include an adaptor for each of your lens front element sizes. Luckily all my lenses are 77mm so I only need one.

[stuart b]

ND4 and ND8 in my bag at the mo. Lov'em and will probably add others soon as they're relatively cheap and sooo useful. I use Ps on my 18-70. Get some slight vignetting sometimes but not a major issue. I have not tried As, but that would suggest to me that going for Ps is worthwhile.

Lee filter pouch sounds good - I shall have to look that up as I do tend to clank around a bit at the moment.

Stuart

[bulb763]

Thanks guys. Can't wait to get my hands on them

[_dobbo_]

Just to point out, some idiot (me) may have said there was no vignetting at 10mm. He was wrong. (as usual).

[dh2]

Do I recall someone saying previously that the wide-angle adapter (which may or may not resolve the vignetting) only holds a single filter? Just trying to decide whether to get the kit, or the wide angle adapter plus two filters... but I thought being able to stack and ND2 and ND4 might be useful?

DH2

[GetCarter]

My Lee filter system will stack 2 no problem (the basic holder has 2 as std) - no vignetting on my 17mm. You can add more 'layers' if you want - not sure how many before you'd get problems.

[_dobbo_]

It's not strictly speaking vignetting, more that you can see the filter holder on both sides of the frame at anything less than 13mm.

Personally if I need to use a filter at <13mm, I'll hold it up to the lens using my hand rather than get the wide angle adaptor. You can then stack as many filters as your sweaty mitt can hold at once!

[dh2]

_dobbo_ said:

It's not strictly speaking vignetting, more that you can see the filter holder on both sides of the frame at anything less than 13mm.
Personally if I need to use a filter at <13mm, I'll hold it up to the lens using my hand rather than get the wide angle adaptor. You can then stack as many filters as your sweaty mitt can hold at once!

hmmm yeah you are probably right... the kit probably offers best value, and then add the wide angle holder if the problem annoys me enough. I hate being indecisive (wouldn't be a problem if I could afford Lee - thanks Steve!).

DH2

[dh2]

Any recommendations on where to get the Cokin ND grad kit from?
thedigitalcamerashop.co.uk or fotosense.co.uk seem to be about the best I've found at the moment.

DH2

[bulb763]

The cheapest ones Froogle finds are ~£40. Thats probably +p&p too. IIRC the kit I found was called H250A. Don't quote me though.

[dh2]

Yep that's the number for the ND grad kit, and £40 seems like the price, just wondered if there were any recommended -on-experience shops. Guess I'll just pick one of those two at random (have used neither before).

DH2

[_dobbo_]

Don't forget to also buy the appropriately sized adaptor ring for any lenses you have. budget a few quid for each one.

[Timmy2TARs]

bulb763 said:

2/4/8? What do these numbers mean? Which is most useful? While I'm talking about filters, are there any others that I might find useful?

2= 1 stop, 4= 2 stops, 8= 3 stops - lets you know the equivalent exposure with the filter on, so an ND8 will act as if you have stopped the camera down 3 stops. Figures come from 2, 2 squared, 2 cubed. I have an ND2 and an ND8 - the 8 is great for long exposures in sunlight.

If you don't already, a polariser is a must. I use an infrared filter a lot too, but...

bulb763 said:

I have inherited a cokin A holder and a small collection of wierd filters from my Aunt. Is it worth going for P size Grads - which would mean a new holder - or is A size enough? I'm worried I might struggle to fit P size stuff in my bag!

I use P size for ND grads - some of my lenses are 77mm diameter - not sure the A would be of much use with them. However, I am thinking of ditching the Cokins for Lee filters, though the Lees are a bit pricey!

For the ND (non-grad) and the IR and polariser, I use Hoya screw-in filters.

[poah]

I've actually found jessops to tbe the cheapest lol