ND filters.

Can't really answer your question, but I know pros and good amateurs will use Lee filters rather than Cokin and whatever is cheap on E Bay.

After saying that, I have used ND grads by Cokin in the past and been pleased with the results. Unfortunately, as mainly a people photographer, rather than a landscape photographer, I've never invested in the Lee filters to compare them against the cheaper variety.

Probably it's the same old story.....If you have invested in quality glass, use the best filters.
 
TinaC said:
My understanding is that they are optical quality tinted glass/plastic/perspex? Though having just acquired a set I'll watch this thread for elucidation ;)
Click to expand...

That's about it :) In practice the choice is somewhat limited if you want long exposures in daylight, like several seconds.

B+W make two screw-in dark ND filters, in 6-stops and 10-stops.
Hoya do one called the X400 which is 9-stops but special order only.
Lee have a new 10-stops in 100mm square.
The LightCraft Fader is a variable 2-8 stops (looks promising, new in the UK - I've just ordered one).

Edit:
Stacking multiple less dark ND filters to get the same result will work, but is not practical - vignetting with wide angle lenses, flare etc.

To use a dark ND, you need to set everything up without the filter, manual focus and exposure, then count back the number of stops to set the required shutter speed. Take a test shot and adjust for the final result. Tip: when the shutter speed gets really long, especially with noise reduction enabled which locks the camera up while it's working, you can reduce the test exposure times hugely by raising ISO and/or reducing f/number, then switching back for the final picture.

Even the best quality NDs are not quite neutral. The ones above are pretty close, but a custom white balance will get it spot on - or correct it in post processing.

The filter must be sealed against light leaks. Screw-in is obviously fine, and the Lee square jobby has a foam rubber gasket :thumbs:

During the actual exposure you must cover the viewfinder as light leaks in there too and finds its way around the mirror (even though it shouldn't). Some cameras are worse than others here.

There has been a lot about dark NDs on here. Run a search :)
 
HoppyUK are you going to do a review of The LightCraft Fader when you get it ??
 
Ziploc said:
HoppyUK are you going to do a review of The LightCraft Fader when you get it ??
Click to expand...

I've had a good go with one and I can say for sure that a) it works :) b) it is the most neutral ND of any of the above, c) clever design prevents vignetting with super-wides, d) seems well made, e) it's glass but not coated.

On the latter point, I was concerned about flare with four uncoated glass surfaces but pointing it at the brightest lights I could find at the Focus Show, it held up very well :thumbs: That's not the same as pointing it at the sun though, which can happen shooting super-wide landscapes.

The other thing I really like is that you can just twiddle it between eight stops and two stops, which means you don't have to remove it every time you want to make an adjustment in setting up - you can see through two stops of ND no problem.

I obviously thought it was good enough to sport £80 on the 77mm version (on back-order due to the Chinese New Year apparently) and unless I've missed something obvious it's going to be the pick of the bunch.
 
Thanks would like to see some results before taking the plung
 
HoppyUK said:
To use a dark ND, you need to set everything up without the filter, manual focus and exposure, then count back the number of stops to set the required shutter speed.
Click to expand...

I don't know about Nikons but on Canons with Live View you can use exposure simulation to focus etc, all with the filter on... :thumbs:
 
jontucker said:
I don't know about Nikons but on Canons with Live View you can use exposure simulation to focus etc, all with the filter on... :thumbs:
Click to expand...

You can in bright light, but my 5D2's live view packs up when the light gets low - like several seconds exposure time.
 
HoppyUK said:
.....


The LightCraft Fader is a variable 2-8 stops (looks promising, new in the UK - I've just ordered one).

....
Click to expand...

Hoppy,

Is this, by any chance, similar to the Singh-Ray Vari-ND? If so, have you ever had the chance to play with that?
 
Wail said:
Hoppy,

Is this, by any chance, similar to the Singh-Ray Vari-ND? If so, have you ever had the chance to play with that?
Click to expand...

In theory, the Fader is identical to the Singh-Ray though I've never tried it. Main difference seems to be the conical mount of the Fader to reduce wide-angle vignetting - wide-angle version of the Singh-Ray doesn't have front threads to help clear this. Both appear to be uncoated?

Then there is the price, £83 in 77mm vs $390 :eek:
 
HoppyUK said:
The LightCraft Fader is a variable 2-8 stops (looks promising, new in the UK - I've just ordered one).
Click to expand...

Hi Richard,

I wonder would you share with whom you are trusting your hard earned cash ? i.e. where you are ordering from ?

I've just got my hands on a 17-40 f4 and fancy one of these to have a play with...

Many thanks in advance

Phil
 
HoppyUK said:
Good spot Donna :)

It's branded Genus and a bit more expensive, but looks identical. Also popular sizes currently out of stock http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/ctl?query=genus+fader&ac.ui.pn=search.Search&x=54&y=10
Click to expand...

Hi Richard,

I had a look at the Genus 8-stop variable from Calumet at Focus. Whilst I must admit to being very impressed with it, I wonder if its use would be limited... especially if you're stacking grads over the top.

As we both know, a solid ND will lengthen the exposure time across the board but still can't balance the difference between sky and land which means that a grad is a necessity. If you mount a grad over the top of the variable, you're going to encounter the same problems as using a polariser (which is all the variable ND's seem to be - two polarisers rotated against each other). :)

Si
 
Spiritflier said:
Hi Richard,

I had a look at the Genus 8-stop variable from Calumet at Focus. Whilst I must admit to being very impressed with it, I wonder if its use would be limited... especially if you're stacking grads over the top.

As we both know, a solid ND will lengthen the exposure time across the board but still can't balance the difference between sky and land which means that a grad is a necessity. If you mount a grad over the top of the variable, you're going to encounter the same problems as using a polariser (which is all the variable ND's seem to be - two polarisers rotated against each other). :)

Si
Click to expand...

Absolutely. No different to any other filter in that respect. I guess there's a market for a Fader ND with Variable Grad built in - maybe via LCD :eek: :D

Much as I like using grads, more often than not I'm frustrated by the way the top of mountains and building get darkened along with everything else above the grad line - HDR looks better. And I hate stacking filters - it just throws away all the image quality I've paid so much to get.
 
HoppyUK said:
Good spot Donna :)

It's branded Genus and a bit more expensive, but looks identical. Also popular sizes currently out of stock http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/ctl?query=genus+fader&ac.ui.pn=search.Search&x=54&y=10

Edit: Donna beat me to the link but I just called them to see if I could get one. "77mm should be in next week". I'll believe that when I see it!
Click to expand...

I've had a quick look about and Genus seem to offer theirs via a Euro Sales Website

http://genuseurope.com/shop/products/Genus_ND_Fader_Filter_77mm-123-72.html

at a similar price to the Premiere ink offer... :thumbs:
 
I just rang and spoke to a lady...... they are due stock in on wednesday and should be able to deliver for Friday, if not monday..... :thumbs:

Phil
 
I bought and used a set of Cokin filters, think I might still have them!

Then I was introduced to Lee and the large hood:

_AAA7402.jpg


This allows for the use of a cameramac so you can still be shooting in the wet.

I went to the Lee factory in Andover and had a tour. The glass is lens quality and built to exacting standards in the factory. Each piece of glass is then hand dipped to create the correct grade of tint in whatever colour is required.

This is why the Lee system is so superb and sought after by professionals.

Best regards

Chris
 
G2EWS said:
I bought and used a set of Cokin filters, think I might still have them!

Then I was introduced to Lee and the large hood:

_AAA7402.jpg


This allows for the use of a cameramac so you can still be shooting in the wet.

I went to the Lee factory in Andover and had a tour. The glass is lens quality and built to exacting standards in the factory. Each piece of glass is then hand dipped to create the correct grade of tint in whatever colour is required.

This is why the Lee system is so superb and sought after by professionals.

Best regards

Chris
Click to expand...

did you get any free samples at the end of the tour.....?;)
 
jerry12953 said:
did you get any free samples at the end of the tour.....?;)
Click to expand...


Hi Jerry,

Funny you should say that but yes I did!

They had a problem with their die for casting the filter holder. Some may recall last year there were very long delays. The die was creating a small mark on the holder which was almost impossible to see.

I explained that I wanted to buy another hold for my polariser and they built one up and gave it to me for nothing! Well impressed.

Regards

Chris
 
I found coking gave me a magenta cast have since used hi tech for my NDs very good
 
G2EWS said:
Hi Jerry,

Funny you should say that but yes I did!

They had a problem with their die for casting the filter holder. Some may recall last year there were very long delays. The die was creating a small mark on the holder which was almost impossible to see.

I explained that I wanted to buy another hold for my polariser and they built one up and gave it to me for nothing! Well impressed.

Regards

Chris
Click to expand...

Wow! I should think we'll all be booking a tour now....
 
G2EWS said:
I bought and used a set of Cokin filters, think I might still have them!

Then I was introduced to Lee and the large hood:

_AAA7402.jpg


This allows for the use of a cameramac so you can still be shooting in the wet.

I went to the Lee factory in Andover and had a tour. The glass is lens quality and built to exacting standards in the factory. Each piece of glass is then hand dipped to create the correct grade of tint in whatever colour is required.

This is why the Lee system is so superb and sought after by professionals.

Best regards

Chris
Click to expand...

That lens hood must be enormous - the oven door slots straight in! :eek:
 
Legacy said:
Richard,

Did you manage to get your hands on one of these after ?

I'm watching the websites and they remain out of stock...... Premiere ink have put it back to mid April now... lol

Cheers

Phil
Click to expand...

Nothing yet Phil. I will post summat when I get it.
 
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