All about filters - GND

[Shen siung]

Hi all,

I would like to know, for GND filter, what type you guys would recommend? Is it better to buy the type can slot in (like the cokin filter which hold by a filter holder) or like the Hoya type (a circle that just screw in front of lens)

correct me if I'm wrong, Hoya does have GND right?
http://www.hoyafilter.com/products/hoya/oef-08.html

Is it better to buy the Cokin type that need a filter holder? I foresee that with Cokin type easy to change to different filter and can fit with different lens, but would it be cumbersome? which type is more 'cost effective'?

Planning to get one for my Tamron 17-50, and another for a UWA.

I have no experience on filters so would appreciate any user could input their views,

Thanks

 

[giantcanopy]

The rectangular GND filters allow more flexible placement of the transition depending on ur composition.

For the screw type GND, u r pretty limited in placement. I would not want to compose the scene to suit the filter

Ryan

 

[Shen siung]

The rectangular GND filters allow more flexible placement of the transition depending on ur composition.

For the screw type GND, u r pretty limited in placement. I would not want to compose the scene to suit the filter

Ryan

Thanks, is it mean for the rectangular type, we can just slot in half way / adjust the level of the transition?

 

[giantcanopy]

Thanks, is it mean for the rectangular type, we can just slot in half way / adjust the level of the transition?

Yes. U can move the transition point of the GND filter up and down depending on ur scene.

Some makers provide longer filters so u can have more extreme placement without hitting the edge of the filter in ur scene.

Ryan

 

[2evans]

For GND, it's definitely easier to work with the square filters as you can adjust where you want the transition. Cokin has an adapter ring that for different lens sizes so you could share the holder/filters across your different lenses. So that can save you some money.

Depending on your choice of glass, you could be paying a lot of money. Just depends on what you want to spend. i.e. Lee filters cost a bomb...

 

[Shen siung]

Yes. U can move the transition point of the GND filter up and down depending on ur scene.

Some makers provide longer filters so u can have more extreme placement without hitting the edge of the filter in ur scene.

Ryan

For GND, it's definitely easier to work with the square filters as you can adjust where you want the transition. Cokin has an adapter ring that for different lens sizes so you could share the holder/filters across your different lenses. So that can save you some money.

Depending on your choice of glass, you could be paying a lot of money. Just depends on what you want to spend. i.e. Lee filters cost a bomb...

Thanks. So is it mean Cokin is a better value for money buy? Is there other recommended brand, beside Cokin and Lee filters?

From the price guide, a basic set up should include the follow?
Cokin P holder (wide angle) - ($15 CP) ($20 OP)
Cokin Gradual ND2 or ND4 or ND8 (P) - ($27 CP)($48 OP)
Cokin 67mm Adaptor Ring - ($14 CP)

If correct, means not more then $70~$80?

 

[giantcanopy]

Thanks. So is it mean Cokin is a better value for money buy? Is there other recommended brand, beside Cokin and Lee filters?

From the price guide, a basic set up should include the follow?
Cokin P holder (wide angle) - ($15 CP) ($20 OP)
Cokin Gradual ND2 or ND4 or ND8 (P) - ($27 CP)($48 OP)
Cokin 67mm Adaptor Ring - ($14 CP)

If correct, means not more then $70~$80?

There is another relatively cheap filter maker called TianYa that is pretty popular here that I have no experience.

The adapter ring will depend on ur lenses u using.
U can try a 2 and 3 stop GND for a start, any more u can try stacking

Ryan

 

[xhui]

There is another relatively cheap filter maker called TianYa that is pretty popular here that I have no experience.

The adapter ring will depend on ur lenses u using.
U can try a 2 and 3 stop GND for a start, any more u can try stacking

Ryan

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences! Its been helpful!

Was wondering, for tianya (or even cokin), for an uwa (10-22), quite bad vignetting will occur with either GND, or ND filters right? Any solutions to these arh? get bigger adapter? ring thread? Been trying to figure out this part for a while.....

Thanksss !

 

[jaRv1s]

heard Cokin GND filters would alter the color... so i opted for Lee Filters... it's hella expensive... but it could double as ND filters since it's so large that could cover the whole lens...

 

[xhui]

heard Cokin GND filters would alter the color... so i opted for Lee Filters... it's hella expensive... but it could double as ND filters since it's so large that could cover the whole lens...

yeah, read a few places where the filters showed a magenta cast on the scene taken.. but lee so ex... oh well, photography not a cheap hobby also~ ;p

 

[giantcanopy]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences! Its been helpful!

Was wondering, for tianya (or even cokin), for an uwa (10-22), quite bad vignetting will occur with either GND, or ND filters right? Any solutions to these arh? get bigger adapter? ring thread? Been trying to figure out this part for a while.....

Thanksss !

There are other larger series beyond the usual Cokin P format for the ultrawide angle ones, but it will mean the price of the filters will increase.

Alternatively, i love handholding my filters against the lens when shooting, eliminating the issues of vignetting even on the wide angle holder. ( Actually mainly because i find the fixing of the adapter and switching lenses a hassle )

Not the most exact but works great for me. For landscapes where i can afford some time for setting up, I do fix the adapter / filter as needed.

Ryan

 

[xhui]

There are other larger series beyond the usual Cokin P format for the ultrawide angle ones, but it will mean the price of the filters will increase.

Alternatively, i love handholding my filters against the lens when shooting, eliminating the issues of vignetting even on the wide angle holder. ( Actually mainly because i find the fixing of the adapter and switching lenses a hassle )

Not the most exact but works great for me. For landscapes where i can afford some time for setting up, I do fix the adapter / filter as needed.

Ryan

ah.. i see..

Guess goto check them out at CP again! as for handholding, does it affect the end-results of your shots? I'll assume minimal handshakes (as far as you can hold it steady) and probably estimation of the "position" of the filters against your lens?

 

[giantcanopy]

Those that needed much longer exposure i usually still mount them
otherwise my handheld ones still work well

This was a longish exposure with a handheld 2 stop GND

Handheld for stitch too

Ryan

 

[Shen siung]

heard Cokin GND filters would alter the color... so i opted for Lee Filters... it's hella expensive... but it could double as ND filters since it's so large that could cover the whole lens...

May I know how much is the Lee filters? You get the starter kit?

There are other larger series beyond the usual Cokin P format for the ultrawide angle ones, but it will mean the price of the filters will increase.

Alternatively, i love handholding my filters against the lens when shooting, eliminating the issues of vignetting even on the wide angle holder. ( Actually mainly because i find the fixing of the adapter and switching lenses a hassle )

Not the most exact but works great for me. For landscapes where i can afford some time for setting up, I do fix the adapter / filter as needed.

Ryan

From my understanding, we can get an adapter ring with larger diameter to avoid vignetting right? E.g 10-22 having diameter of 77mm, we can choose the 86mm or 95 mm adapter ring?
http://www.cokin.com/ico2-p1.html
http://www.cokin.com/ico5-p1.html

 

[2evans]

May I know how much is the Lee filters? You get the starter kit?



From my understanding, we can get an adapter ring with larger diameter to avoid vignetting right? E.g 10-22 having diameter of 77mm, we can choose the 86mm or 95 mm adapter ring?
http://www.cokin.com/ico2-p1.html
http://www.cokin.com/ico5-p1.html

Ah, the adapter ring is what you screw onto your lens. So if you have a 77 mm lens like the 10-22, you'll use the 77 mm adapter. You can get a wide holder for the filter... it has only 1 slot, to reduce the vignetting.

 

[2evans]

Those that needed much longer exposure i usually still mount them
otherwise my handheld ones still work well

This was a longish exposure with a handheld 2 stop GND

Handheld for stitch too

Ryan

Great shots Ryan! Are you resting the filter on the lens or, are you holding the filter slightly in front?

 

[giantcanopy]

Great shots Ryan! Are you resting the filter on the lens or, are you holding the filter slightly in front?

Thanks 2evans. I rest the filter against the threads, much easier to hold. But u will probably accrue some micro abrasions after repeated usage :bsmilie: ( but not visible to the picture output so no biggie ) especially for those resin filters. Glass is probably more resistant in that respect

Ryan

 

[xhui]

Thanks guys for all the sharing!! TS, sorry that i've budged in from nowhere... guess alot of exploration still

 

[Shen siung]

Ah, the adapter ring is what you screw onto your lens. So if you have a 77 mm lens like the 10-22, you'll use the 77 mm adapter. You can get a wide holder for the filter... it has only 1 slot, to reduce the vignetting.

IC, got it...

Thanks guys for all the sharing!! TS, sorry that i've budged in from nowhere... guess alot of exploration still

Is ok, as long as everyone learn....

 

[jaRv1s]

May I know how much is the Lee filters? You get the starter kit?



From my understanding, we can get an adapter ring with larger diameter to avoid vignetting right? E.g 10-22 having diameter of 77mm, we can choose the 86mm or 95 mm adapter ring?
http://www.cokin.com/ico2-p1.html
http://www.cokin.com/ico5-p1.html

Lee filters GND per piece 146... Wide Angle Adaptor Ring (thinner) bought from HK less than 100... kit also bought from HK cos the dealer in SG asked me "why everyone taking Starter Kit you have to get Professional Kit?" ask them whether can order or not they also like don't want to take my business... say you can place order but we can't promise you when you could get your things... thanks to them i paid slightly more than usual to get others from HK...

about vignetting, Lee filters having lower chance because the filter is 4 inches wide... with Wide Angle adaptor ring i would say your risk is minimized...

if you want to take Cokin, i know people bought the Cokin P holder and cut it to fit one filter only... they said in this way you're less likely to get vignetting with Cokin P...