Hoping someone can give me some advice. I've been doing a lot more landscape recently and I've decided to give the use of filters a go after using some that were gifted to me with my GF1 and liking the results. I'm not sure where to start though. There seems to be so many options for filter holders, filters etc. What would be a good starting point? I'm thinking long exposures and dramatic skies.
Filter kits for landscape for a 17-40L
- Thread starter KayJay
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A basic kit for landscapes would be a circular polariser, ND grads and if you want long exposures NDs.
If you're starting from scratch a Cokin P series is a good inexpensive starting point, Lee if you're feeling flush.
You can get different sized adaptor rings so all your lenses can use the kit you buy. Similarly if you buy a P series circular polariser it will save buying one for each size lens.
On the ND grad side you'll find hard and soft grads, hard grads are good for when there is a defined horizon (the sea for example), soft grads are better for undulating horizons (mountains etc). I use Hitech and have been well pleased with them.
For long exposures NDs come in various strengths depending on how much light they stop, a 3 stop is enough on an overcast day to blur water, on a bright day a 10 stop is a cool thing to have.
If you're starting from scratch a Cokin P series is a good inexpensive starting point, Lee if you're feeling flush.
You can get different sized adaptor rings so all your lenses can use the kit you buy. Similarly if you buy a P series circular polariser it will save buying one for each size lens.
On the ND grad side you'll find hard and soft grads, hard grads are good for when there is a defined horizon (the sea for example), soft grads are better for undulating horizons (mountains etc). I use Hitech and have been well pleased with them.
For long exposures NDs come in various strengths depending on how much light they stop, a 3 stop is enough on an overcast day to blur water, on a bright day a 10 stop is a cool thing to have.
I have the 17-40 and Cokin P series kit. It is easy to use, you can keep the adaptor ring on and just slide the holder in and out when you are moving locations.
If you just have a UV filter on then use the Cokin P series holder, you will have to zoom in to ~24mm so the black vignetting will not be shown. Bare that in mind.
Rich
If you just have a UV filter on then use the Cokin P series holder, you will have to zoom in to ~24mm so the black vignetting will not be shown. Bare that in mind.
Rich
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For protection I bought the P series lenscap which means you can leave the filter holder on and just pop the lens cap in, saves removing the filter holder every time.
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You really don't need to buy a kit.
Firstly go for a Polariser. No question!
Then ask yourself if you want to do those long exposure water/sky shots that have been so fashionable recently. If you do then you'll probably need a 8 or 10 stop ND.
Graduated ND's are really useful for all sorts of landscape work. Why not just start out with one to see how you get on with it? You don't even need a holder, you can just hold it against the rim of the lens, moving it carefully until you see the effect you need/want. This may be a bit tricky without a tripod but it is possible. As to choosing which one to go for, I started out with a 2 stop hard grad, then got a 1 stop as well. The latter is excellent for getting natural looking skies in conjunction with the polariser. If I was getting a soft grad, which I may eventually do, I would probably go for a 2stop.
edit : I see you want dramatic skies.....maybe a 3stop hard grad then? First find your sky, though........
Firstly go for a Polariser. No question!
Then ask yourself if you want to do those long exposure water/sky shots that have been so fashionable recently. If you do then you'll probably need a 8 or 10 stop ND.
Graduated ND's are really useful for all sorts of landscape work. Why not just start out with one to see how you get on with it? You don't even need a holder, you can just hold it against the rim of the lens, moving it carefully until you see the effect you need/want. This may be a bit tricky without a tripod but it is possible. As to choosing which one to go for, I started out with a 2 stop hard grad, then got a 1 stop as well. The latter is excellent for getting natural looking skies in conjunction with the polariser. If I was getting a soft grad, which I may eventually do, I would probably go for a 2stop.
edit : I see you want dramatic skies.....maybe a 3stop hard grad then? First find your sky, though........
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It's not that I want the crazy long exposure water cloud effect. I wouldn't mind, but the main aim is to get more detail in my images and control the exposure a little bit better in different parts of the photograph. I like sunset shots but find myself wishing I could dim the sun down a little while still exposing the foreground.
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I should go for the Graduated ND then. Lee are top quality but expensive and you may not be able to get hold of one. There was a comparisan test of various makes in Advanced Photographer very recently - maybe the current issue.