Posted by Jack Garrett on December 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I've always used soft edge ND filters but recently I had a suggestion to use hard edge filters. I tried it a few times and the results were OK but what happens if the horizon isn't perfectly straight? Before I invest in some new filters I'd like to get some opinions...or do I need a full set of both? I'm planning on 1,2 and 3 stop filters
Jack
Posted by Mel Ladewig on December 15, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Jack,
I think its important to have both sets. The transition will vary by the focal length you use. A hard edge on a 16mm lens might be very abrupt, but very soft on a 200mm. I typically use my hard edge set more often than soft edge GNDs.
If you are shooting digital, I probably would not invest in a 1 stop set simply because it is easy to make that adjustment in post processing from a single exposure.
Mel-
Posted by George Hager on December 15, 2008 at 1:24 PM
I find both helpful. I use the soft edge most of the time, but the hard edge is very useful when only a small portion of the frame is sky. Say 1/5 th of the frame (or less) is sky - there just isn't enough space for the soft edge filter to take effect. Out comes the hard edge. If I have a ragged skyline and it occupies plenty of space in the frame, it is time for the soft edge. A 2 stop and 3 stop filter for each would be nice. Haven't found much use for the 1 stop. Maybe if you were shooting a reflection shot at a very shallow angle so the reflection was almost as bright as the original it might work, but I just use a weaker part of my soft two stop for that.
Posted by Kevin Trinkner on December 16, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Good topic Jack, I've been debating about this as well. I currently only use soft edge and often wondered how I would really use a hard edge filter, but now I can see how that would work on a longer focal length lens.
Since I primarily shoot wide angle I will stick to the soft edge for now...
Posted by Tracy Hope on December 17, 2008 at 10:47 AM
A cheap way that I have found is to buy the soft filters, and when you need a hard edge, just put the filter in upside down. This is for the Coken filters though. I have done this a number of times and it works well enough that I haven't bought the hard edge filters. I am sure there is reasons that this shouldn't work, but for me it works fine.
Just my 2 cents.
Discussion
4 repliesJack
I think its important to have both sets. The transition will vary by the focal length you use. A hard edge on a 16mm lens might be very abrupt, but very soft on a 200mm. I typically use my hard edge set more often than soft edge GNDs.
If you are shooting digital, I probably would not invest in a 1 stop set simply because it is easy to make that adjustment in post processing from a single exposure.
Mel-
Since I primarily shoot wide angle I will stick to the soft edge for now...
Just my 2 cents.