Filter Explanation - ND Grads ?

[wildman]

Any chance some one can explain to me what is the difference between hard and soft grad ND filters. The guy in my local shop started telling me as I was looking at picking up a set of ND grads, but to be honest I sort of switched off as I have no idea what he was banging on about from the start

 

[Phil789]

It's the transition from dark to light on the filter. Soft is more of a gradual change and hard is more abrupt

 

[vizzair]

okay, so i'll ask a silly, what are "reverse nd grads" i have heard about.

 

[TCR4x4]

Reverse ND's are better suited for sunsets, when the brightest light is on the horizon. They only come in "soft"
The bottom part of the filter is still clear, then the darker part of the filter starts in the middle and gradually gets lighter towards the top

 

[vizzair]

i always wondered what they are.

another daft question then
Couldn't you use a soft nd grad half way into the holder and upside down, or would that cause problems with the edge of the filter ?

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

i always wondered what they are.

another daft question then
Couldn't you use a soft nd grad half way into the holder and upside down, or would that cause problems with the edge of the filter ?

you're right - problems with the edge of the filter

 

[HoppyUK]

HiTech Reverse ND Grad set here - click on top image http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-hitech-reverse-graduated-neutral-density-filter-kit-100mm-.htm

 

[markmullen]

I love my reverse grad but to be honest I don't think there is call for a full range of filters, if you're shooting into the sun the likelihood is it will be very bright compared to the foreground so I just bought the 3 stop, I've never thought I could use a 2 or 1 stop.

 

[gad-westy]

Any chance some one can explain to me what is the difference between hard and soft grad ND filters. The guy in my local shop started telling me as I was looking at picking up a set of ND grads, but to be honest I sort of switched off as I have no idea what he was banging on about from the start

As Phil says it's to do with the transition. There is a very clear diagram in this site highlighting the difference.

http://www.inspiredbythelandscape.com/how-to-use-and-buy-graduated-neutral-density-filters/

Generally the advice is to use a hard edge where the horizon is more or less a straight and well defined (seacape being the typical example) and to use a soft for more undulating horizons.

In reality, I find the hard gets far more use than the soft, I just find them easier to work with.

 

[SoDoSoPa]

Any chance some one can explain to me what is the difference between hard and soft grad ND filters. The guy in my local shop started telling me as I was looking at picking up a set of ND grads, but to be honest I sort of switched off as I have no idea what he was banging on about from the start

Hard grads are usefull for seascapes and flatter compositions between the sky and landscape where moutains and buildings and trees dont dominate the skyline, for them you would normaly use a soft grad.