hand-holding grads question

I've read a lot lately about folks hand-holding rectangular grads. Can someone who's done this offer any advice? I'm thinking that 1) you don't want to bump the lens, and 2) you want to keep the grad as close to the lense as possible so stray light doesn't enter. Does that sound right? Anything else to add?

One last question: Does moving the grad create any noticeable distortion in the image?

Thanks!

Hi Ian,
I find holding grads useful in a couple situations.

1. When using other filters that don't allow a GND holder.
2. When using hard lined GNDs.
3. When things are moving quickly and I don't want to mess with a holder.

It is tricky, because there is a balance of exactly what you mentioned...not touching and scratching your filters, not bumping your lens, and not letting any light come in around the sides.

I have never seen any distortion when moving the grads. I find it much easier to use hard GNDs by hand, to soften the line a bit, and this is especially true when using multiple GNDs. You can actually get quite a bit of control over how it exposes by varying the rate of travel, or the angle you hold the filter. I've found it kind of a pain to line up two hard grads in a holder just right when you are in a hurry, and in an awkward position due to the compo I've chosen.

Hope some of this helps.

Handholding GND's is certainly doable. And I think you've covered as Darien said "the issues at hand" so to speak. I prefer to use my holder because it allows me to slow down and set the GND exactly where I want it and not fret about movement.

I DO need to trim my holder back to only two slots. The other two slots make using it on my 17-40mm a bit tricky if not impossible. Trouble is I did this trimming exercise on Nancy's first and completely ruined hers!!! She LOVES to remind me of this. LOL!!! A Dremel tool is cool - in the hands of an experienced user...

I've used both techniques quite frequently. I'll hand hold my Lees because I don't have the holder yet, and I like experimenting with holding one at a different angle than the other - allows more fine tuning of the exposure. But there are times when the holder is invaluable too. I've had several shots ruined because I bumped my camera too hard and the picture blurred just enough.

one word of warning. I have a UV filter on my lens and I use the cokin small filter holder that you screw onto your lens and then slide the filter holder onto. I have scratched up most of my filters on the edge of the UV filter. I can clearly see circle in the scratches in some places. I heard from someone (maybe Marc) to place a really fat rubberband on the end of your lens to protect the filters from the existing edge of the lens.

I just ordered some hitech filters today and will never handhold them in front of the lens unless I have a rubberband in place. The resin in these filters scratches so easily, it's almost not worth the risk unless you have a box of 100 filters at home

Hi Ian,

I'm new to the forum, but I'll add my two cents worth. I use Hitech GND's. I've found them to be better than the Cokins which can give a slight color cast and are more reasonably priced than the higher end models. I've had good results hand holding these rectangular GNDs. Often, I lay it gently against my polarizer and haven't seen any significant scratching. I must admit, I probably look like a contortionist holding the filter while trying to trigger the shutter with my IR remote. I use this technique most often when shooting wide angle with a polarizer (extra filter) to avoid vignetting. They make holders with only one slot for wide angle shooting, but I haven't acquired one yet. I like the idea of using a rubberband and will add that to my technique.

That is a great idea about the rubber band! Thanks John (Marc)....somebody!!