ND Grads for Canon 17-40 f/4 L on a 5d Mk II

Bennp2000

Bennp2000

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Paul
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Hi
I was looking at getting some Hitech soft ND grads to use with my 17-40 on a 5d Mk II. Looking at my price range Hitech look like the best option.

Can anyone say whether I need to get the 100mm filters to avoid vignetting at the wide end or will the 85mm filters be ok?

Will I also need a wide-angle adapter of sorts (like the Lee version)?

Thanks.

(also if there's any compelling reason that I should run away from hitech please let me know!)
 
At the wide end on full frame you'll want 100mm filters.

On the 17-40 on a 5D MK3 I can use two slots without vignetting.

You'll want the wide angle adaptor ring and I'd recommend the Lee holder, even if you're going to buy Hitech filters, it is very well made and flexible in that you can build it up in various configurations, I have one built with two slots, one with one slot and the 105mm cpl adaptor ring, that will vignette from 17-19mm, from there on it is fine.
 
Hitech make pretty damn good filters and last time I used them, the customer service was wonderful - they really tried to get my order out to me as fast as possible, and gave great advice. I don't use my filters much but they have survived many years of being shoved into bags without scratches or marks which is a good sign !
I got 100mm filters for my 17-40 having read conflicting opinions, so I would say that is the way to go, though I do not know for sure if you will get vignetting with the smaller ones.
As far as I remember Hitech supplied me with a wide angle adaptor so it might be worth calling them and seeing what they say.
 
Bennp2000 said:
thanks, whats the 105mm ring you mention? I borrowed a set (Lee) from a friend and used it on the front of my 77mm polariser, it was darn fiddly.
Click to expand...

It is a 105mm threaded ring which allows you to put a CPL in front of your grads, Big Stopper or whatever. You then need a 105mm CPL which are frighteningly expensive but the best solution, Lee make them as do Singh Ray, Heliopan, B&W etc.

ETA I got a 77mm to 105mm stepping ring in case I ever wanted to use the CPL on its own, without grads.
 
my 77mm was expensive enough!

TBH though I should stop using it at the super-wide end, the differential polarisation across the sky is huge and doesn't look all that great most times.

Will the Hitech filters sit nicely in the Lee holder? I don't wan't them to be slopping about or worse falling out.
 
markmullen said:
At the wide end on full frame you'll want 100mm filters.

On the 17-40 on a 5D MK3 I can use two slots without vignetting.

You'll want the wide angle adaptor ring and I'd recommend the Lee holder, even if you're going to buy Hitech filters, it is very well made and flexible in that you can build it up in various configurations, I have one built with two slots, one with one slot and the 105mm cpl adaptor ring, that will vignette from 17-19mm, from there on it is fine.
Click to expand...

So with one slot and a 105mm CPL (with adaptor ring) there's vignette wider than 19mm? Is that with the wide angle adaptor?
 
Thanks. I was going through some old images the other night and noticed a few weeds spoilt by using the CPL at 17mm, I'd not seen that before, so will be more careful in future.

I've just been told that my CPL is on its way, so I'll be able to do some testing in Devon next week.
 
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