Hand Holding GND's versus Cokin Holder

I'm starting this thread just to get an idea of how many people handhold their graduated neutral density filters, or instead use the cokin holder, and why. I'd like to hear any opinions or ideas on this matter... thanks a bunch!

Chris,

I've shot a few images handholding my grads. It's a little awkward, having to hold it steady, not rub it against the lens, and pressing the shutter all at once. You risk bumping into the lens and causing camera shake. The times I've handheld is when I'm in a real hurry to get a shot, as the sun is setting for example, and I don't have time to get the holder on. Of course, if you plan ahead, you won't run into that problem! The holders are inexpensive, so why not try to use it regularly?

I've only handheld in a few instances, primarily when shooting my 12-24 @ 12mm to avoid the vignette. I was not very pleased with the results, and generally try to shoot the 12-24 at around 14mm to avoid the vignetteing. I prefer the Cokin holders by far!

This year I've just starting experimenting with hand held GND filters. My results are mixed and I've usually made multiple "duplicate" exposures when hand holding. While I often get some blur due to bumping against the lens or sometimes a stray reflection from the filter, by making two or three duplicate attempts I normally get at least one exposure looking like I had hoped. Since it's virtually impossible for me to hold the filter perfectly still, it also helps avoid a tell-tale graduation line. I think using the holder gives more consistent results, but will continue to hand hold on occation to avoid carrying and fooling with the holder and the step up or step down rings and adapters for various lens sizes.

I can't hold them steady enough to do that consistently though I've done it. I'm lazy so I prefer the holder on so I don't have to keep bringing out the filters out and putting them away. Another reason is finger prints. I use thin gloves when I'm shooting backlighting because finger prints become a pain!

the only reason not to use the holder in my opinion is either because you need to "burn and dodge" certain areas to avoid the line or because of weather-related issues.

I hate the holders. They get in the way all the time and can be a real hassle. My favorite is when I get a drop of water on the lense and then have to remove the filter and then holder to get to it. I mostly stick to handholding them and have had no problem with shaking the camera..at least not yet!

I do both, although I'm hand holding more and more these days.

I handhold 95% of the time. It allows me also to move the filter during the exposure which I do sometimes to avoid a definite grad line. I only take out the holder when exposures run longer than 15-30 seconds or when I stack filters.

I handhold 100% of the time. I shoot quite often using a wide angle lens and the Cokin holder vignettes. Also, I like having the ability to move the filter up or down to adjust what area is affected by the ND during a longer exposure.

I always use a holder. I can't imagine how people get the filter positioned properly while hand holding. I have to stick a Post-It on the filter just so I can see the grad line when I'm setting it up. Also, I don't think hand holding would be at all practical with LF.

My favorite story of hand holding a filter wasn't me, but I witnessed it. Funny as heck, too. Flying with Galen & Barbara Rowell over the Bay Area while Galen was shooting for his Bay Area Wild Book, Galen was in the co-pilot seat of their Cessna T-206. He was handholding his Singh-Ray GND filter over a wide angle lens through the open window. A corner of the filter caught the slipstream, and whoosh, there went Galen's filter - fluttering toward certain oblivion 4,500 feet below.

I've been trying this for a while but not much of success. There is always some problem which I only get to see when image is loaded in PS.

I tried doing it when I was in the San Juans out of necessity - I did a poor job of setting up my tripod, which caused it to fall and break the filter holder. Luckily, no camera damage.

Anyway, I thought it would be as easy as it looks watching Art Wolfe do it on TV. But I couldn't do it.

I almost always handhold GNDs. It's faster and, for me, more accurate. The best way to see the transition line is to hold down the DOF preview button while moving the filter. As far as tripping the shutter while one hand is holding the filter and the other is pushing the DOF preview, I stick the remote release in my mouth and use my tongue (I need a pointy tongue emoticon!)
Admittedly, hand holding takes a little practice because you need to cover the entire lens and you really need to have the filter as close to the lens as you can, otherwise you risk reflections from the back side of the filter. I hold the filter right up against end of the lens. For wide angle lenses, vibration from touching the lens isn't much of an issue.
If you rarely use GND filters, you may want to stick to the holders. I use them all the time so I've had plenty of practice hand holding.
The larger filters (4x6) are easier to use hand holding but they are more expensive and they do take up more space in the pack.

wow, since this is such a hot topic might as well join the crowd--i started handholding this past year after always using the holder, and i prefer hand-held. more freedom, less hastle. i have damaged a couple filters though since 'switching' and probably the holder is safer in this respect.

I hold the filter a few millimeters away from the lens to avoid bumping it and causing unsharp images due to vibration. If I do bump it, I re-shoot it. Handholding does take some practice but it really isn't that hard to master.

I do both, mostly depending on the gear and the length of exposure. Call me clutz however, because I can't manage to do it reliably on long exposures like Bret. Mostly I use the holders with 4x5 and long exposures with 35mm, and handhold for shorter exposures with 35mm. Successful handholding for me requires that I get the filter positioned just right, then lock it into place with finger pressure while steadying the camera into the specific framing I want. Kind of a two-step process of adjusting the position of the filter first, then locking it in, composing and shooting.

I have used the holder and handheld. With 4x5 I prefer using the holder . When I do use the handheld technique I gently press the filter to the lens, wait for any vibrations to damp out and then make my exposure. I use the sticky note trick every time.

I have come to the conclusion, however, that GND's are evil!

-PB

I started handholding grads because the holder creates vignetting when using my 12-24mm. After a little practice, I had no problems and like others, gently hold it against the lens while using a remote release cable. I then started handholding them most of the time. I tend to stack and invert the filters occasionally, and that does require the holder.

When shooting 4x5, I always use the holder... just too much to worry about without the additional worry of bumping the lens during exposure.

I always hold the filter against the lens directly. If there is any space, stray light can get in & cause reflections. For shorter exposures (up to several seconds) I can use one hand. For longer exposures it is safer to use self timer & both hands.

I handhold 100% of the time with the filter placed directly against the lens or polarizer.

I only handhold a soft step GND. I tried with a hard step but never could do it to my satisfaction.

I should throw up a big BTW since it hasn't come up yet in this thread. If vignetting is a problem with the holders, simply use a Dremel or hacksaw to remove the outer two filter slots. This thins the holder dramatically and eliminates vignetting for many wide lenses. As a bonus, the thinner holder is a bunch more compact and easy to store.