Filter advice please

Barrysprout

Barrysprout

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Colin
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Need a little advice on which filters to get. I have decided that the hi-tech 85 filters will best fit my quality/price requirement. But not really sure what to order as a starter set. My photography is varied so I was thinking that ordering a 0.6 soft grad and a 0.9 hard grad along with a ND1.2 would allow me some experimentation and I can build from there if need be.
Does this sound reasonable or would I be better with a different range to start?
 
Looking to buy myself a kit too..

So buying a mixed kit kood-ptype-filter-kit-77mm

out of stock at the moment, but very tempted..... :naughty::naughty:

:thumbs:
 
Barry,

Not sure if you're a newbie like myself, but I recently got the following advice and subsequently made the purchases!

- Buy a UV filter and basically leave it on the lens. It then takes the knocks and bumps and may save a costly repair on your lens. A UV filter does not affect your shots.

- Apparently, a polarising filter is the next popular filter that most buy. I've had mine a few weeks now and love what it does to reflections and skies.

- I've just got an ND4 so I can slow my shutter speed down in daylight. I'm still experimenting with this, but so far I've got some good images with blurred cars. Waiting to do the classic waterfall shot but don't have a local water fall. Did practice on my pond water fall though!!

Hope it helps
 
markw08 said:
Looking to buy myself a kit too..

So buying a mixed kit kood-ptype-filter-kit-77mm

out of stock at the moment, but very tempted..... :naughty::naughty:

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Had a look at those ones too. From what i have read the Hi-tech seem to be the highest regarded after of course the Lee filters. I will not go to the expense of the Lee's at the moment. The Hi-tech's seem to sell for around £15 each for the 85mm filters which will fit in the Cokin P holder or Kood equivalent. I know that I will probably not use all of the filters if I were to get a full range of hard and soft grads and so I'm just looking for anyone with experience of the filter systems to advise which ones I'm likely to make most use of. I can then add to the system later or replace with Lee if I really make use of them.

AmatuerClicker said:
Barry,

Not sure if you're a newbie like myself, but I recently got the following advice and subsequently made the purchases!

- Buy a UV filter and basically leave it on the lens. It then takes the knocks and bumps and may save a costly repair on your lens. A UV filter does not affect your shots.

- Apparently, a polarising filter is the next popular filter that most buy. I've had mine a few weeks now and love what it does to reflections and skies.

- I've just got an ND4 so I can slow my shutter speed down in daylight. I'm still experimenting with this, but so far I've got some good images with blurred cars. Waiting to do the classic waterfall shot but don't have a local water fall. Did practice on my pond water fall though!!

Hope it helps
Click to expand...

Sounds like I am but a small jump ahead of you. In other words all of the above and I've got my waterfall shot. I actually have a 10 stop B&W filter which I used with my 450d kit lens. But I have recently upgraded the camera and lens so this no longer fits (really must ebay it)
I will probably replace the 10 stop with a 77mm one when I can afford it and when places have stock.
I've settled into landscape photography more than anything else and would like to try and get better in camera results hence the search for ND grads.

Thankyou both for the replies.
 
Barrysprout said:
Need a little advice on which filters to get. I have decided that the hi-tech 85 filters will best fit my quality/price requirement. But not really sure what to order as a starter set. My photography is varied so I was thinking that ordering a 0.6 soft grad and a 0.9 hard grad along with a ND1.2 would allow me some experimentation and I can build from there if need be.
Does this sound reasonable or would I be better with a different range to start?
Click to expand...

Barry,

I would agree with your choice of Hitech filters of 0.6 soft and 0.9 hard. I have both and use the 0.6 soft about 80% of the time, as I shoot mainly landscapes. On the odd occasion I use the other one for sunsets. You are correct in thinking that these will fit a Cokin P holder, and you can use Kood adaptor rings, as cheaper options.
I have never used the ND1.2, but be aware it is only makes a 4 stop difference. If you wish to slow things right down for water movement or in daylight, then you might want to look at a 9 or 10 stopper. The B&W 10 stopper is very popular, but difficult to obtain. I have the lightcraft 9 stop ND, which does the job for me and is a good bit cheaper.

Example with Lightcraft 9 stop ND –

 
I nearly went to the falls of Falloch on Saturday, but ended up in Glen Finglas as it was a shorter drive.
The 1.2 ND was just to have a play around with until I buy another 10 Stop. But I will have a look for the Lightcraft 9 stop before I decide.
Many thanks
 
Peter10d
is that at falls of Falloch?
 
I started with polarisers for my kit lens and L lens.
Because the lenses have different size threads though I have now invested in a cokin P filter holder and just bought my first set of Hitech ND filters. I bought the triple ND pack of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9.
 
I did look at the packs they offer, but although they offer more for less I'm not really sure if I would use them all. There is a pack which gives 3 ND's and 3 ND grads for £50 and the packs of 3 grads are £30 (excl VAT and delivery) so it's not out of the question to get them all for £80 + VAT. But if I then end up using just 2 I could save a fair bit.

Decisions, decisions:thinking:
 
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