ND Grads - not noticing any difference

macs

macs

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Rich
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I've just got my first set of filters, a Kood P series kit with 1 and 2 stop soft grads. My issue is that when i'm putting them in the holder fixed to the lens I can't really see a difference. Is there something i'm doing wrong or is it just that they're soft grads so the difference between them isn't very obvious?
 
It is much easier to see the difference if you are looking at a fairly clean horizon line. Just push the filter down slowly and with a bit of practise you should see it. Start with the darkest one first to get your eye in.
 
The ND grad should look obvious, especially under 20mm.

I can't see how you wouldn't notice it?

Silly question, but they're definitely grads and not simple ND filters arnt they?!
 
macs said:
I've just got my first set of filters, a Kood P series kit with 1 and 2 stop soft grads. My issue is that when i'm putting them in the holder fixed to the lens I can't really see a difference. Is there something i'm doing wrong or is it just that they're soft grads so the difference between them isn't very obvious?
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One stop is next to nothing, and a two stops soft grad is not much, especially at longer focal lengths, and lower f/numbers.

Try the two stopper at a wide angle setting and use a highish f/number.
 
I was given the tip of using a piece of white card cut to the size of the filter. Slide the card into place and set the edge on the horizion,then slide the filter in. The grad shows against the white card and then slide the card out and take the shot.
 
huffy said:
I was given the tip of using a piece of white card cut to the size of the filter. Slide the card into place and set the edge on the horizion,then slide the filter in. The grad shows against the white card and then slide the card out and take the shot.
Click to expand...

That sounds like quite a convoluted way to use one! If it's a proper ND grad all you need to do is slide the grad down until it's level with the horizon!

...or simply slide it in and compose, and adjust if required.
 
HoppyUK said:
One stop is next to nothing, and a two stops soft grad is not much, especially at longer focal lengths, and lower f/numbers.

Try the two stopper at a wide angle setting and use a highish f/number.
Click to expand...

I went out yesterday afternoon and took some shots with this kit. Out and about I was about to notice the grad more than when I was set up looking out of my front window.

Why do they make and sell a 1 stop if it's practically nothing?
 
macs said:
I went out yesterday afternoon and took some shots with this kit. Out and about I was about to notice the grad more than when I was set up looking out of my front window.

Why do they make and sell a 1 stop if it's practically nothing?
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Is it even one stop? If it's actually marked "ND1" it's actually less than one stop.

I use an ND4, and ND8, most of the time using the 8.
 
odd jim said:
That sounds like quite a convoluted way to use one! If it's a proper ND grad all you need to do is slide the grad down until it's level with the horizon!

...or simply slide it in and compose, and adjust if required.
Click to expand...

I have to say if I'm using soft edge grads I find it pretty hard to judge them even using a 3 stopper with DOF preview. Maybe it's my eyes. Hard edge is a different matter and far easier to see. Might give the white card trick a go.
 
Kood GG1 is a 1 stop filter, GG2 is a 2 stop filter, IE ND 2 and ND4.

I quite like the piece of card trick, certainly useful for film SLRs where you can't chimp to see f it's in the right place.

I used Kood GG1 and GG2 stacked on my GH1 almost permanantly, and even then it was sometimes difficult to see what was going on until the result is on the rear screen.
 
Irritable_Rabbit said:
Now if you're going to get all pernickity on me, I could sell you one. It's very special indeed. :p

I was only trying to make sure there everybody else knew exactly what you were using. *Stomps off in a huff. :sulk: :D
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I didn't mean to offend. If I did then i'm sorry for that. I'm just new to this technical side of photography and I want to learn from others who know more then me.

Thank you to everyone who has given me advice regarding ND grads.
 
Thing i with soft grads, is the advertised strength is only at the very top of the filter. Its decreases pretty rapidly towards the centre.
This is why I now really ony use hards, as they are what they claim to be from top to centre.
 
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