Help me to spend my money on filters

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Adrian
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It is time for me to get some proper filters. I cannot afford Lee ATM, but Hitech seems like good compromise. I have Canon 5D mkII FF camera and usually shoot my landscapes with Canon 17-40L.

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This is what I have in my basket waiting to click the button. The price is without VAT added. Is there anything else you would add or remove from the list?

The Soft and Hard Edge Filter Kits contain 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 ND grad filters in each.
 
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I would say that you should buy what you want and need.

Nobody else can recommend what you need as you are the one who is taking the pictures and only you knows what you are trying to achieve :)

Just my opinion; for me I have never used any filters.
 
Well, the problem is I have never use any slide-in filter system yet, so all of this is new to me. I am just looking for an advice is this is all what I would need for landscape photography or you or somebody else would add (or remove) anything to/from the basket. Maybe I missed something... I'm not sure...
 
Not sure how much if any it would save, but instead of the hard and soft kits, maybe try just the 0.6 and 0.9 of both. Its very rare you need 0.3's.

I personally wouldnt bother with the ND 0.9 but thats just me.

If that is from hitech/formatt, expect a very long wait from ordering.
 
Often hands on is the best way to decide.


Do you know anyone local who has used these types of filter; maybe you could meet up and "have a shot"; that is what I always try and do where I can.
 
Well, the problem is I have never use any slide-in filter system yet, so all of this is new to me. I am just looking for an advice is this is all what I would need for landscape photography or you or somebody else would add (or remove) anything to/from the basket. Maybe I missed something... I'm not sure...

0.3 (one stop) is next to useless, but if it comes in a kit, why not.

I would want a ten stop Pro-Stopper and a polariser for sure. Could do without the straight ND 0.9, but it's all subjective.

Personally, the only filters I really use for landscape are a ten stopper and polariser - do the grad thing with HDR technique. But I don't want to argue about that either! :D
 
Not sure how much if any it would save, but instead of the hard and soft kits, maybe try just the 0.6 and 0.9 of both. Its very rare you need 0.3's.

I personally wouldnt bother with the ND 0.9 but thats just me.

If that is from hitech/formatt, expect a very long wait from ordering.

Each 100mm ND grad filter is £29 + VAT, so I guess the £59 + VAT deal for 3 is not that bad.

It is the UK e-tailer called Teamwork... they don't actually mention availability which is strange.

May I ask why you would not bother with ND one? Was thinking about stacking it with ND grad (let's say 0.3) grad sometimes to blur water.

Often hands on is the best way to decide.


Do you know anyone local who has used these types of filter; maybe you could meet up and "have a shot"; that is what I always try and do where I can.

I am a bit of lone-wolf... Billy Nomates :D
 
I was at Teamwork London store last week, and I think they had filters in stock, so you should be able to get them. On the other hand, I tried to buy some cheaper from bristolcameras, and they were on order.

I think people like the 10-stop ND, rather than the 3-stop one. Personally, I bought the 4-stop one, but I haven't got a chance to try it out yet.

Btw, if you stack hitech filters, you may get colour cast.
 
Right, thanks. Didn't know about the colour cast. I hope this is not hard to get rid of in Photoshop... should be quite easy in ACR or in PS with colour balance.

As for the 10 stopper, I will get that at some point. I do have welding glass shade 9 to experiment with though :)

Might change the 0.9 ND filter to 1.2 (4 stops?).
 
As said, I's use a 10 stop rather than a 0.9. You can still combine the grads with a 10 stop.
Like I said, its personal preference. If you want and think you'd use the 0.9, then go for it!
 
As said, I's use a 10 stop rather than a 0.9. You can still combine the grads with a 10 stop.
Like I said, its personal preference. If you want and think you'd use the 0.9, then go for it!

I'm not sure personally. Maybe I'll just leave the ND filter for now (and don't waste money on something I won't use) and concentrate on ND grad system for my landscape bug for now :)
 
OK, order placed. I removed the ND filter for now, decided I can always order it later. So the set of ND grads should be coming to me soon (I hope).

Another question is about a some sort of filter pouch. Any recommendations please?
 
In the end I went for the original Hitech 100mm filter pouch.
 
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