I need to get more serious with using ND filters, and need some suggestions, please, for what to get.
I'm thinking a 2 soft stop snd 3 hardstop, for starters? and A Cokin P holder?
Are the bellows really needed?
I will use them primarily on a 72 mm 18-200 VR zoom, and a 77mm 80-400 VR zoom.
I'm reading that the Hi-Tech filters are almost as good ad the Singh-ray ones? I'm never adverse to saving money, but if there is a real difference, i will go with the S-R.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to offer suggestions!
Sandy: I have a full set of soft Hi-Tech GNDs from 1-4 stops. I have been very happy with them. The only Singh-Ray filter I have is a warming polarizer so I have not made a direct comparison. The bang for the buck is pretty good with the Hi-Techs. >=))>
Your proposal sounds pretty good, Sandy. You might also consider a 3-stop soft.
The Cokin-P will work nicely. Be sure to get the appropriately sized lens filter thread adapters, too!
Are you referring to a bellows lens shade? If so, it may cause vignetting at the short focal length settings of your lenses. You'd have to check the viewfinder carefully.
I've used Singh-Ray ND-Grads for a long time. Their quality is second to none, in my opinion. Although they are somewhat fragile acrylic; with proper care, they will last.
-PB
Posted by Bill Chambers on August 19, 2006 at 9:17 PM
I use Singh Ray as well, and must agree with Preston that they are excellent quality. I have used other brands (not Hi Tech), and can tell a BIG difference in the SR. I have picked up some of the SR's on ebay and saved a few bucks, so you might give that a try.
Posted by Barb Hansen on August 20, 2006 at 8:40 AM
Sandy....... I use S-R NDG and I love them......as for there toughness I disagree with Preston. Last week while shooting Bark Bay Sloughs at day break I realized I didn't have my cokin holder with me. So no problem... I just handhold the filter in place. Well thanks to some arthritis my fingures they don't always work so well and especially not in the morning. At any rate I dropped the filter.....right onto the metal dock where it bounced twice and then flipped into the water. Not that I recommend this action -But there isn't even a scratch on my filter.
Posted by Richard Wong on August 20, 2006 at 11:43 AM
"Experience the Ku."
sorry I had to throw that out there. Anyways, I haven't tried hi-tech but the SR's don't scratch that easily. I first began experimenting w/ grads on a cokin and that seemed to scratch from anything as simple as a finger nail touching it. That alone might make the SR's worth it. Try shooting backlighting with a scratched filter and you have an even higher chance of getting a wasted shot.
Perhaps I should clarify what I meant by SR ND-Grads being fragile.
Since they are made from acrylic, they can be scratched; especially if a piece of crud lodges on the inside of the carrying pouch. Additionally, they could be adversely affected by heat. (say inside a vehicle). If they were to warp, they would be quite unuseable.
So, I ensure that the pouches are clean, dust them before re-inserting them into the pouch and I store them in my pack. Perhaps I am too careful, but given the expense and hassle of obtaining them, I don't trust to my luck.
Thanks, everyone, for the excellent feed back. i really appreciate having access to you guys who are so far ahead of me in skills! I picked up one singh-Ray on Ebay this afternoon, and saved $10, so i'll try to negotiate with the seller for more.
I'm heading to the Canadian Rockies next month, and will try them out on the sunsets over the lake and mts. Sandy R
Discussion
7 repliesI'm thinking a 2 soft stop snd 3 hardstop, for starters? and A Cokin P holder?
Are the bellows really needed?
I will use them primarily on a 72 mm 18-200 VR zoom, and a 77mm 80-400 VR zoom.
I'm reading that the Hi-Tech filters are almost as good ad the Singh-ray ones? I'm never adverse to saving money, but if there is a real difference, i will go with the S-R.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to offer suggestions!
Sandy R
The Cokin-P will work nicely. Be sure to get the appropriately sized lens filter thread adapters, too!
Are you referring to a bellows lens shade? If so, it may cause vignetting at the short focal length settings of your lenses. You'd have to check the viewfinder carefully.
I've used Singh-Ray ND-Grads for a long time. Their quality is second to none, in my opinion. Although they are somewhat fragile acrylic; with proper care, they will last.
-PB
sorry I had to throw that out there. Anyways, I haven't tried hi-tech but the SR's don't scratch that easily. I first began experimenting w/ grads on a cokin and that seemed to scratch from anything as simple as a finger nail touching it. That alone might make the SR's worth it. Try shooting backlighting with a scratched filter and you have an even higher chance of getting a wasted shot.
Since they are made from acrylic, they can be scratched; especially if a piece of crud lodges on the inside of the carrying pouch. Additionally, they could be adversely affected by heat. (say inside a vehicle). If they were to warp, they would be quite unuseable.
So, I ensure that the pouches are clean, dust them before re-inserting them into the pouch and I store them in my pack. Perhaps I am too careful, but given the expense and hassle of obtaining them, I don't trust to my luck.
-PB
I'm heading to the Canadian Rockies next month, and will try them out on the sunsets over the lake and mts. Sandy R