Threaded or square?

I am having a neutral density crisis. I am looking to switch from my vari-nd filter (due to banding issues on my wide angle) to solid NDs. My question is this: should I go with solid NDs that thread onto my lens (my lenses are 82mm) or flat NDs that go into a holder? Thoughts?
Thanks for ALL opinions!
Anne K. Rusk

I'm not aware of a 82mm ND...have you found one? I'm making the switch from the 77mm NDs to the Lee filter holder and the Lee "Big Stopper". I like the idea of being able to easily slide the filter out to compose and focus, then slide the filter back into place. There's one caveat, the Lee equipment is very difficult to come by and the waiting list is long. I found one shop here in the USA that had the Lee 'Foundation Kit' in stock. The 82mm and 77mm adapter rings are nearly impossible to find and the Big Stopper is on backorder.

Adam: 82mm ND

Yes, it's Singh Ray, and you'll pay through the nose..

Floris,
Thanks...I don't know why I didn't think about Singh-Ray.

I'm looking at Singh Ray and Hoya (B&H also has a 1.2 by Hoya for 82mm for about 1/2 the price), but am trying to decide on the 4 stop 4x6 (Singh Ray) vs the one you listed Floris . I'm wondering what I'd be thinking out in the field: where is my holder and why didn't I buy the one that screws directly onto the lens? Why the hell did I buy the one that screws onto the lens b/c I can't see what I'm shooting?
Adam, you're saying you like the drop in over the screw on, right? What are the cons of what you have now?

Anne,
A big con for me is having to unscrew the filter if there isn't enough light to focus. If I want to combine the ND with a graduated ND, then it becomes a bigger problem because now I have to remove the filter holder for the grad ND(s) and then remove the screw-on filter. With a square filter I can easily slip it in and out of the holder.

Adam Schallau wrote:
The 82mm and 77mm adapter rings are nearly impossible to find and the Big Stopper is on backorder.

Check with Badger Graphic Sales. It looks like they have the Big Stopper in stock. It's harder to tell if the have the 77mm and 82mm adapter rings in stock so give them a call.

Save your money time and frustrations with extra gear in the field especially filters. Photoshop and a bracket or two will accomplish the same and actually better for no extra cost and less time. I just don't understand why people buy software and then don't use it, instead buy more hardware to do what the software they have will already do.

Ugh! This discussion again? I use both methods (software & filters) for different reasons in different situations. It not always possible to do everything with software. What works for one person is not necessarily the right solution for the next person. Besides...I have fun using filters.

Mark,
Thanks for the link!

Brad, I think you're addressing the grad ND situation, not solid NDs. I am looking to slow water/clouds for the streaking effect or to blur out pedestrians with much longer shutter speeds. I do agree that I can blend images in PS if a grad effect is what I'm going for, but I'm looking for longer shutter speeds that I cannot get w/o less light...
Thanks, though.

Anne,

There is a lengthy discussion in the NPN Landscape Photography forum that relates directly to your question. The link is below. I hope you find it useful.

Standard ND Filter for Waterfalls?

--P

Thanks so much, Preston! I missed this one when I searched previous posts!

A screw-in filter is probably coated while a resin one isn't. Depending on what you're shooting, you might have more flare suppression with the coated filter.

- Dan.