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 R
Posted by Mark Windom on August 19, 2006 at 7:48 PM
I use Singh-Rays and highly recommend them. I have heard good things about the Hi-Techs but have never tried them.
As far as what to get it really depends on what type of shooting you like to do. If you will be using them primarily on scenes with a defined level horizon (eg. coast) then the hard grads are the way to go (actually for the coast I use reverse grads more than the standard ones). If your horizon is less defined (e.g. in the mtns) then get the soft.
I use 2 and 3 stop grads the most so that would be a good place to start. I also use a one stop quite often.
Yes to the Cokin P holder.
Posted by Tomas Kaspar on August 19, 2006 at 8:18 PM
I used Hi Tech , Signh Rays, and Lees, and they all did fine job. They all may coast a slight color shit in certain situations, but nothing major. Right now I have everthynig for Lee holder as it is the best holder on the market period.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on August 20, 2006 at 3:30 AM
Sasndy, be cautious with Singh Ray's soft GND's on your 1.5 crop sensor. I have a 2 stop soft and it is usless compared to my high tech and cokin 2 stop softs. The thing is that the Singh Ray GND is so gradual that it doesn't help much on smaller cropped sensor cameras. I've done tests (I'll have to eventually do an "official" test to prove it to Singh Ray) and the 2 stop soft might be amazing on the full frame sensor cameras, but it's very limited use on the smaller guys.....
Just a heads up before you spend 100.00 for a square piece of plastic.
Oh and the HighTec's are really nice for less than 1/2 the price. Singh Ray's have a bit of a signature color to them that is nice however......
Posted by Zack Schnepf on August 20, 2006 at 5:03 AM
The singh ray 2 stop soft is very sublte even on full frame, It's still quite useful but I would use a 3 soft way more.
Discussion
4 repliesI 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 R
As far as what to get it really depends on what type of shooting you like to do. If you will be using them primarily on scenes with a defined level horizon (eg. coast) then the hard grads are the way to go (actually for the coast I use reverse grads more than the standard ones). If your horizon is less defined (e.g. in the mtns) then get the soft.
I use 2 and 3 stop grads the most so that would be a good place to start. I also use a one stop quite often.
Yes to the Cokin P holder.
Just a heads up before you spend 100.00 for a square piece of plastic.
Oh and the HighTec's are really nice for less than 1/2 the price. Singh Ray's have a bit of a signature color to them that is nice however......