Someone help me with ND filters

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

i am confused about nd filters.. i want to get one, mainly for landscape photography..

i've read in magazines that should be nd grad.. is this the same as hoya gradual color (gray) or b+w graduated filter gray 501? any idea how much the b+w one costs?

yyD70S · 18th September 2006

I'm not good at explaining but I enclose a very good link below with reference to a gradual neutral density filter which I'm sure is the one you are referring to (as against neutral density filter):

The Benefits of Galen Rowell's Graduated Neutral Density Filters
http://www.singh-ray.com/grndgrads.html

Yes, both the Hoya & the B+W 50x series are GND filters. You could check with Cathay Photo in Peninsula Plaza for the prices.

Originally Posted by jeryltan

i am confused about nd filters.. i want to get one, mainly for landscape photography..

i've read in magazines that should be nd grad.. is this the same as hoya gradual color (gray) or b+w graduated filter gray 501? any idea how much the b+w one costs?

jdredd · 18th September 2006

im not sure about the hoya one. but the designation should be graduated neutral density filter. each manufacturer though will normally make them in 2 or 3 different versions, which absorb different amounts of light e.g. 1, 2 or 3 stops.. but the way they describe them is different.

its very important though to get an adjustable GND filter.. i.e. like the cokin ones, which are flat rectangular pieces of glass that you slide up and down a filter holder. this way you can fine tune the adjustment depending on the composition.

good luck looking for cokin tho...

another option and cheap and good are the tianya filters. theres are also similar in design to the cokin ones. someone on CS does a clubsnap occasinally.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

tks.. will give it a read

Originally Posted by yyD70S

I'm not good at explaining but I enclose a very good link below with reference to a gradual neutral density filter which I'm sure is the one you are referring to (as against neutral density filter):

The Benefits of Galen Rowell's Graduated Neutral Density Filters
http://www.singh-ray.com/grndgrads.html

Yes, both the Hoya & the B+W 50x series are GND filters. You could check with Cathay Photo in Peninsula Plaza for the prices.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

tks for the advice.. will check out cokin as well, think cp should have right?

Originally Posted by jdredd

im not sure about the hoya one. but the designation should be graduated neutral density filter. each manufacturer though will normally make them in 2 or 3 different versions, which absorb different amounts of light e.g. 1, 2 or 3 stops.. but the way they describe them is different.

its very important though to get an adjustable GND filter.. i.e. like the cokin ones, which are flat rectangular pieces of glass that you slide up and down a filter holder. this way you can fine tune the adjustment depending on the composition.

good luck looking for cokin tho...

another option and cheap and good are the tianya filters. theres are also similar in design to the cokin ones. someone on CS does a clubsnap occasinally.

frenchbean · 18th September 2006

If I'm not wrong the Hoya and B+W GND filters are round screw-on filters, which might not be the best for GND as the intersecting line is always in the middle (which is not the best place to put the horizon in terms of composition). For more flexibility you should take a look at Singh-Ray, Cokin, Lee's or Tianya GND, where the location of the intersection can be adjusted according to composition.

catchlights · 18th September 2006

Originally Posted by jeryltan

i am confused about nd filters.. i want to get one, mainly for landscape photography..

i've read in magazines that should be nd grad.. is this the same as hoya gradual color (gray) or b+w graduated filter gray 501? any idea how much the b+w one costs?

Neutral Density Filters aka ND filter

Graduated Filter

both are not the same, for graduated filters, it is more practical to use a square filter system than a round filter.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

tks.. will go check it out later at cp..

Originally Posted by frenchbean

If I'm not wrong the Hoya and B+W GND filters are round screw-on filters, which might not be the best for GND as the intersecting line is always in the middle (which is not the best place to put the horizon in terms of composition). For more flexibility you should take a look at Singh-Ray, Cokin, Lee's or Tianya GND, where the location of the intersection can be adjusted according to composition.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

magazines always call it nd grad. leh.. that's why i also confuse.. tks for the links.. will go read up..

Originally Posted by catchlights

Neutral Density Filters aka ND filter

Graduated Filter

both are not the same, for graduated filters, it is more practical to use a square filter system than a round filter.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

btw.. so i read, the 2-stop version will be most commonly used?

catchlights · 18th September 2006

Originally Posted by jeryltan

magazines always call it nd grad. leh.. that's why i also confuse.. tks for the links.. will go read up..

ND grad is only one of the many graduated filters, graduated filters have many colors, ND is gray color.

yyD70S · 18th September 2006

Get a 2-stop first.
If need (you will know when you end up with such a situation), get the 3-stop as your secondary GND.
And yes, like what fellow CSers had mentioned above, get those rectangular ones for added versatility.

Originally Posted by jeryltan

btw.. so i read, the 2-stop version will be most commonly used?

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

i see.. tks bro..

Originally Posted by catchlights

ND grad is only one of the many graduated filters, graduated filters have many colors, ND is gray color.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

tks bro.. will go down cp take a look..

Originally Posted by yyD70S

Get a 2-stop first.
If need (you will know when you end up with such a situation), get the 3-stop as your secondary GND.
And yes, like what fellow CSers had mentioned above, get those rectangular ones for added versatility.

jdredd · 18th September 2006

i can save u a trip. CP are out of stock of the cokin drop in GND filter. have been for a while. ... so are most of the other usual camera shops...

i suggest you call up and double check...

alternatively, try the tianya set, or see if any for sale on B&S

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

saw this too late

they are indeed out of stock.. even alan photo don't have hoya ones.. didn't know so hard to get nd grad in sgp

Originally Posted by jdredd

i can save u a trip. CP are out of stock of the cokin drop in GND filter. have been for a while. ... so are most of the other usual camera shops...

i suggest you call up and double check...

alternatively, try the tianya set, or see if any for sale on B&S

jdredd · 18th September 2006

Originally Posted by jeryltan

saw this too late they are indeed out of stock.. even alan photo don't have hoya ones.. didn't know so hard to get nd grad in sgp

yea.. dunno why. maybe low demand... thats why u see so many WTB in B&S.
look in MO session. theres someone selling tianya filter. can ask him if he has spare.

jeryltan · 18th September 2006

tks bro.. will go check it out..

Originally Posted by jdredd

yea.. dunno why. maybe low demand... thats why u see so many WTB in B&S.
look in MO session. theres someone selling tianya filter. can ask him if he has spare.

jeryltan · 19th September 2006

tks all for the advice.. anyway, i called all the major shops, seems like nobody got stock, even 2nd hand.. and lee filters are way too ex.. about $400 for the filter, holder and ring

so i have placed order for the b+w 502.. yeah, i know is not so versatile, but i have a fetish for b+w filters

and no idea when or even if cokin is going to ship in grad. grey.. also heard that cokin grad. grey has a color cast, don't know true or not..

jdredd · 19th September 2006

cokin has no color cast...

18th September 2006	#1
jeryltan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,314	Someone help me with ND filters i am confused about nd filters.. i want to get one, mainly for landscape photography.. i've read in magazines that should be nd grad.. is this the same as hoya gradual color (gray) or b+w graduated filter gray 501? any idea how much the b+w one costs? Last edited by jeryltan; 18th September 2006 at 12:44 AM.

18th September 2006	#3
jdredd Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,273	Re: Someone help me with nd filters im not sure about the hoya one. but the designation should be graduated neutral density filter. each manufacturer though will normally make them in 2 or 3 different versions, which absorb different amounts of light e.g. 1, 2 or 3 stops.. but the way they describe them is different. its very important though to get an adjustable GND filter.. i.e. like the cokin ones, which are flat rectangular pieces of glass that you slide up and down a filter holder. this way you can fine tune the adjustment depending on the composition. good luck looking for cokin tho... another option and cheap and good are the tianya filters. theres are also similar in design to the cokin ones. someone on CS does a clubsnap occasinally.

18th September 2006	#6
frenchbean Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore, Bedok Posts: 288	Re: Someone help me with nd filters If I'm not wrong the Hoya and B+W GND filters are round screw-on filters, which might not be the best for GND as the intersecting line is always in the middle (which is not the best place to put the horizon in terms of composition). For more flexibility you should take a look at Singh-Ray, Cokin, Lee's or Tianya GND, where the location of the intersection can be adjusted according to composition.

18th September 2006	#10
jeryltan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,314	Re: Someone help me with nd filters btw.. so i read, the 2-stop version will be most commonly used?

18th September 2006	#15
jdredd Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,273	Re: Someone help me with nd filters i can save u a trip. CP are out of stock of the cokin drop in GND filter. have been for a while. ... so are most of the other usual camera shops... i suggest you call up and double check... alternatively, try the tianya set, or see if any for sale on B&S

19th September 2006	#19
jeryltan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,314	Re: Someone help me with nd filters tks all for the advice.. anyway, i called all the major shops, seems like nobody got stock, even 2nd hand.. and lee filters are way too ex.. about $400 for the filter, holder and ring so i have placed order for the b+w 502.. yeah, i know is not so versatile, but i have a fetish for b+w filters and no idea when or even if cokin is going to ship in grad. grey.. also heard that cokin grad. grey has a color cast, don't know true or not..