Getting started with GND and ND filters

Messages
94
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello all,

First time poster so go easy on me.

I've been doing a lot of research recently regarding ND filters as I plan on purchasing one or two to improve my landscape/sunrise/sunet photography.

My gear is a D90 with Tokina 11-16mm, 18-200 and 50mm f1.8.

Put simply, I'm looking for an ideal "starter kit" for use on the Tokina. I'm planning on using a holder with 100mm glass filters. I can't afford Lee equipment unfortunately, so I'm looking at the Cokin Z-Pro holder with a wide-angle adaptor ring and Hi-Tech filters, assuming that this will mean no vignetting at 11m with just one filter mounted.

I'm slightly confused as to what would be best to learn with. Hard-edge/soft-edge, 0.6, 0.9, whether or not I should also get a 10mm glass 3/5/10-stop ND as well? If so, should it be a screw-in instead for more usability since it doesn't need to be positioned for a horizon?

The scenarios I plan on utilising this new gear is :-

- Daylight Lanscapes/Seascapes
- Sunsets/Sunrises over the sea and/or land
- For both of the above I expect I might also want to do long exposures for moving water

Would a soft-edge 0.9 GND and a 3-stop ND screw-in suffice to start with? I suppose my starting budget is around £100 to £150 for everything at the moment, so not a great deal to work with! Maybe I'm asking too much.

I am aware that with the screw-in and the filter holder mounted, I may need to go to 13-14mm, but that's fine.

Thanks for any advice :D
 
Back
Top