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OK guys, I've decided to take my Landscape photography to the next level by purchasing a set of filters. Apart from a 10 Stop screw in ND filter, I really haven't used any for years, but have been watching plenty of tutorials and read plenty in books which has convinced me there still is a place for them in the digital world (especially if you don't want to, or can't bracket exposures for merging later in software).
Now I do have a few questions for all you landscape experts out there, but I would like you all to bear in mind that a) I'm a novice when it comes to filters and b) that I run 2 systems - My Nikon Full frame DSLR's (D750 & D810) with lenses to be used as wide as 16mm, but I also have my Mirrorless Micro four thirds system comprising of an OMD-EM1 and GX7 bodies with lenses as wide as 9mm (18mm FF).
So to the questions.
1. Which System ?
There seems to be a general agreement that a square filter system offers for most flexibility and cuts down the need to purchase new filters for each different lens diameter. That being said, there seems to be 3 main sizes
67mm typically Cokin A type
84/85mm typically Cokin P, Hitech 85mm and Lee Seven5 systems
100mm typically Cokin Z, Hitech 100mm and Lee 100mm systems
Bearing in mind the two different systems I operate, I would guess that the 67mm system is out leaving the 85mm or 100mm systems. Question is, if I went for the Hitech or Lee Seven5 systems, would they be too small for full frame and say a 16-35mm Lens with a 77mm filter thread ? If so, am I then better suited to a 100mm system ? Now, I know the 100mm system would cover the FOV for the FF system nicely and would be very large (and possibly silly) mounted on a M4/3 set up, but looks aside, would it actually work ? If looking at ND grades for instance, would the transitions appear somewhat different between the 85mm and 100mm systems when used on M4/3 cameras ?
2. Main "Essential filters"
After deciding on my system, I guess the next question is what actual filters to purchase ? Am I right in assuming a good starter kit would at least be the following
0.6 ND Grad
0.9 ND grad
6 stop ND (like the little stopper)
10 stop ND (like the big stopper)
Circular Polariser
Any others I'm missing. Also, with regards to the Grads, whats recommended, Soft or hard grads ?
3. Brands
I know that the Lee system has a great following, and I've seen phrases like "buy right or buy twice" banded about, and I therefore assume the Lee system is the cream of the crop but with prices to match. The Formatt-Hitech systems also seem to get very good reviews, and the Cokin less so, although the Z system filters seem to fair better than the smaller A or P types (are they a different optical construction ?). So what brand would be recommended to a starter, again bearing in mind the need to cover both systems.
Sorry for so many questions, but though this would also be an excellent resource for others like me just starting out in filters, especially if we can get some responses from some Landscape photographers who have used filters extensively and wouldn't mind posting their thoughts. Thanks.
Now I do have a few questions for all you landscape experts out there, but I would like you all to bear in mind that a) I'm a novice when it comes to filters and b) that I run 2 systems - My Nikon Full frame DSLR's (D750 & D810) with lenses to be used as wide as 16mm, but I also have my Mirrorless Micro four thirds system comprising of an OMD-EM1 and GX7 bodies with lenses as wide as 9mm (18mm FF).
So to the questions.
1. Which System ?
There seems to be a general agreement that a square filter system offers for most flexibility and cuts down the need to purchase new filters for each different lens diameter. That being said, there seems to be 3 main sizes
67mm typically Cokin A type
84/85mm typically Cokin P, Hitech 85mm and Lee Seven5 systems
100mm typically Cokin Z, Hitech 100mm and Lee 100mm systems
Bearing in mind the two different systems I operate, I would guess that the 67mm system is out leaving the 85mm or 100mm systems. Question is, if I went for the Hitech or Lee Seven5 systems, would they be too small for full frame and say a 16-35mm Lens with a 77mm filter thread ? If so, am I then better suited to a 100mm system ? Now, I know the 100mm system would cover the FOV for the FF system nicely and would be very large (and possibly silly) mounted on a M4/3 set up, but looks aside, would it actually work ? If looking at ND grades for instance, would the transitions appear somewhat different between the 85mm and 100mm systems when used on M4/3 cameras ?
2. Main "Essential filters"
After deciding on my system, I guess the next question is what actual filters to purchase ? Am I right in assuming a good starter kit would at least be the following
0.6 ND Grad
0.9 ND grad
6 stop ND (like the little stopper)
10 stop ND (like the big stopper)
Circular Polariser
Any others I'm missing. Also, with regards to the Grads, whats recommended, Soft or hard grads ?
3. Brands
I know that the Lee system has a great following, and I've seen phrases like "buy right or buy twice" banded about, and I therefore assume the Lee system is the cream of the crop but with prices to match. The Formatt-Hitech systems also seem to get very good reviews, and the Cokin less so, although the Z system filters seem to fair better than the smaller A or P types (are they a different optical construction ?). So what brand would be recommended to a starter, again bearing in mind the need to cover both systems.
Sorry for so many questions, but though this would also be an excellent resource for others like me just starting out in filters, especially if we can get some responses from some Landscape photographers who have used filters extensively and wouldn't mind posting their thoughts. Thanks.
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