Choice of ND filter kits for landscape


Stormy08

Member
Mar 14, 2008
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I am thinking of getting the following starter filter kits from Adorama for landscape photography. Excluding shipping cost, the package will come up to about S$310.

a. Lee Foundation Kit Filter Holder
b. Lee 77mm adapter
c. Hitech 85mm ND Graduated ND Kit, hard edge (1,2 & 3 stops)
d. Hitech 85mm ND, 1,2 & 3 stops

Are my choices sound? Are there better choices for square/rectangle filter kits under $350? Thanks
 

You probably want soft edge GNDs unless you photograph exclusively seascapes. It's best to have both hard + soft, but if you only had one choice I would go for soft anyday, especially if you photograph cityscapes or landscapes where the horizon isn't clean (trees, etc). The hard edge GND will just darken it unnaturally. I would skip the 1 stop because modern cameras have sufficient DR for recovery of details if need be.

For ND - you probably don't need 1/2/3 stops. You should probably get something like 2/3 stop x 1 + 6 stop x 1 + 10 stop x 1. This will make more sense because it gives you a lot more versatility, i.e. ability to do long exposures during strong light (daytime) and also in dying light (sunset/sunrise). For minor differences of 1 or 2 stops you can just stop down really.

Cheers.
 

I am thinking of getting the following starter filter kits from Adorama for landscape photography. Excluding shipping cost, the package will come up to about S$310.

a. Lee Foundation Kit Filter Holder
b. Lee 77mm adapter
c. Hitech 85mm ND Graduated ND Kit, hard edge (1,2 & 3 stops)
d. Hitech 85mm ND, 1,2 & 3 stops

Are my choices sound? Are there better choices for square/rectangle filter kits under $350? Thanks

whutt no big stopper?! lol

but seriously cheaper meh from adorama? I remember ages ago I wanted to buy off bh but it seems the prices nt that great? ended up buying locally from TK
 

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=370904616417&index=3&nav=SEARCH&nid=81130512066

I have a feeling u will feel better about yourself if you bought this $2kit.. 10times the number of filters n adapter at 100times lower the cost. Woothoo..

item sell at $1.99, shipping cost is $20.00... lol

You should buy it, then come back and tell us how great it is.,

probably will dispose at b&s for $5.00 later, still making 100% profit. kekekekke
 

Buy what you need, not what you want.

last month want to shoot macro, go and buy new tripod
this month want to shoot bird, go and buy new lens
next month want to shoot landscape, go and buy new filters,


so you sure you got time to shoot all these?
 

whutt no big stopper?! lol

but seriously cheaper meh from adorama? I remember ages ago I wanted to buy off bh but it seems the prices nt that great? ended up buying locally from TK

now Amazon got free shipping to SG,
so buy the right items at the right place can save on shipping. cool!
 

You probably want soft edge GNDs unless you photograph exclusively seascapes. It's best to have both hard + soft, but if you only had one choice I would go for soft anyday, especially if you photograph cityscapes or landscapes where the horizon isn't clean (trees, etc). The hard edge GND will just darken it unnaturally. I would skip the 1 stop because modern cameras have sufficient DR for recovery of details if need be.

For ND - you probably don't need 1/2/3 stops. You should probably get something like 2/3 stop x 1 + 6 stop x 1 + 10 stop x 1. This will make more sense because it gives you a lot more versatility, i.e. ability to do long exposures during strong light (daytime) and also in dying light (sunset/sunrise). For minor differences of 1 or 2 stops you can just stop down really.

Cheers.

Thanks for the advice. As this is my first foray into landscape, I doubt I will need the 6-stop or 10-stop for the time being. The LEE holder can take up to 3 filters. If I stack the 1,2 and 3 stops, I get 6-stops, right? What is the penalty for such stacking if better quality filters are used? Cheers

Buy what you need, not what you want.

last month want to shoot macro, go and buy new tripod
this month want to shoot bird, go and buy new lens
next month want to shoot landscape, go and buy new filters,


so you sure you got time to shoot all these?



Wow, you checked my earlier postings. keke. I am into general photography and have no intention to specialise in any discipline. I shoot about 4 to 6 hours a week and enjoy everything photography. I am posting my queries in the forum to seek advice from experienced photographers so that I do not buy wrong or unnecessary items. There are too many choices out there. Cheers
 

Thanks for the advice. As this is my first foray into landscape, I doubt I will need the 6-stop or 10-stop for the time being. The LEE holder can take up to 3 filters. If I stack the 1,2 and 3 stops, I get 6-stops, right? What is the penalty for such stacking if better quality filters are used? Cheers

Don't think there's an issue assuming the filters are clean, but you also want to mix and match the GND filters with ND filters, so you want to stack this way, you will be limiting yourself too. :)

For example, you need 6 stops to have misty water at sunset, and you also need to use GND. You stack all 3 filters and handhold GND?
 

Don't think there's an issue assuming the filters are clean, but you also want to mix and match the GND filters with ND filters, so you want to stack this way, you will be limiting yourself too. :)

For example, you need 6 stops to have misty water at sunset, and you also need to use GND. You stack all 3 filters and handhold GND?

Thanks again for the enlightenment. Had never thought of the need to combine ND and GND filters. In my research on the internet, I have yet to read any mention of such stacking. Perhaps you can give examples of scenes that need such combination. Best regards.
 

Thanks again for the enlightenment. Had never thought of the need to combine ND and GND filters. In my research on the internet, I have yet to read any mention of such stacking. Perhaps you can give examples of scenes that need such combination. Best regards.

We stack GND and ND all the time actually...
ND is to extend the shutter speed. GND is to bring the exposures of the bright sky and dark foreground closer together within range of camera DR.
 

Thanks again for the enlightenment. Had never thought of the need to combine ND and GND filters. In my research on the internet, I have yet to read any mention of such stacking. Perhaps you can give examples of scenes that need such combination. Best regards.

..Sunset timing with water...

It's quite common here actually, take a look at the landscape threads and you should have a pretty good range of ideas as to what situations you can use stacking for - in short, scenes with large DR and needing extension of shutter speed. Possibilities are limitless really.
 

I am thinking of getting the following starter filter kits from Adorama for landscape photography. Excluding shipping cost, the package will come up to about S$310.

a. Lee Foundation Kit Filter Holder
b. Lee 77mm adapter
c. Hitech 85mm ND Graduated ND Kit, hard edge (1,2 & 3 stops)
d. Hitech 85mm ND, 1,2 & 3 stops

Are my choices sound? Are there better choices for square/rectangle filter kits under $350? Thanks

last I remember the Lee filter holder is for 100mm filters? So you may need 100mm filters instead of the cheaper 85mm ones?
 

last I remember the Lee filter holder is for 100mm filters? So you may need 100mm filters instead of the cheaper 85mm ones?

Another forumer has also prompted me on the size different between the LEE holder and the Hitech filters. But I understand from the Adorama web site that the holder can be adapted for other filter size. See extract below. However, checking the LEE web site, there seems to be no mention of such adaption. I will pay a visit to TKPhoto to verify. Thanks

"The foundation kit is at the centre of the Lee Filter holder system and is primarily designed to take standard 100mm filters, although other filter sizes can be adapted to fit. The unit is supplied in component form to allow the photographer to construct a filter holder tailored to his or her individual needs."
 

mmm. i only know the filter holder got one fixed position for the flaps(s). dun see any other way to change the size le.
 

For example, you need 6 stops to have misty water at sunset, and you also need to use GND. You stack all 3 filters and handhold GND?
Been there, done that. No big deal for up to a few seconds of exposure. It will become a challenge for 30s and more, agreed :)
 

Been there, done that. No big deal for up to a few seconds of exposure. It will become a challenge for 30s and more, agreed :)

Yes, it can be done.. But definitely not worth the trouble...

Very sian if it's 30 seconds.. Best of all you have good light, then when the exposure is done, you realize that your thumb and fingers are in the picture... And the light is gone. :bsmilie:
 

What is the penalty for such stacking if better quality filters are used?

You can get softer images, increased risk of flare from the increased interface filter / glass. Dusts from stacking multiple filters can be a great nuisance esp when there is a light source in the photo.

In general I would use the least number of filters to get the necessary work done.

Ryan
 

You can get softer images, increased risk of flare from the increased interface filter / glass. Dusts from stacking multiple filters can be a great nuisance esp when there is a light source in the photo.
In general I would use the least number of filters to get the necessary work done.
Color casts by the filter will be more pronounced as well if there's three of them.