ND filters - a few questions..

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daveb99

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I'm going up to the North east coast (Scarborough area) for a few days next week, and I'd like to have a bash at those glorious photos you see of the sea 'flowing' around rocks etc, it's something I've always wanted to try but never quite got round to it.

I've got a 5D Mk1, and will probably use my recently purchased 17-40L for the shots. I have a decent tripod as well (Redsnapper) so should be able to keep things nice and still.

I was thinking of buying a couple of ND filters for the job, but I have to say I'm not sure what to buy. I've only got 4 days to get them, and don't want to spend much, and I don't know anything about ND filters really, other than they cut down the light entering the lens by a specified number of stops.

Can anyone give some advice on my best bet, I was even thinking of getting a couple of cheap ND filters from eBay, they start at under £5 for a 77mm ND2, ND4 etc (UK, not Hong Kong). I realise they might well be pretty nasty in terms of quality, but for something I haven't tried before, at least I will have only spent a tenner or so!

Also not sure whether I need a solid grey ND or ND grads? If anyone can advise on long exposures, or other tips as well, that would be great.
 
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If you can find them still, the Kenko ND filters are excellent - I bought mine when living in Japan, and I find the 3 stop coupled with a C-Pol layed on top if needed is very flexible (gives 5 stops that way) - you might be able to find the Kenkos on Ebay - if so, very high quality and they are multi-coated (many ND's arn't)

The 10x (B&W 110) ones are excellent, but you have a total black viewfinder, and these are up upwards of £70!

Tips - use a tripod, mirror lock-up and cable release.
 
Also not sure whether I need a solid grey ND or ND grads? If anyone can advise on long exposures, or other tips as well, that would be great.[/QUOTE]

If you are looking to include sky in your pics, then ND grads are required to balance the exposure (unless to try HDR). ND on there own are fine for slow water shots without the sky. Personally I would look to purchase one of each. A tip for saving money, you can attach them to the front of your lens with blue tac, without purchasing a filter holder.
Hitech filters are good, but they would be a bit more than the price you mentioned.
 
Buying a cheap filter will disappoint you. Your cheapest way of getting the misty water effect is be on the rocks well before dawn :)

I notice you are based in the east mids. If you are near Nottingham and want to borrow my Hoya ND8 filter let me know.
 
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