Screw-In Graduated ND Filter

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TomHollo

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Tom
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Hi All,

I find that I do a lot of landscape/sunset photography and really enjoy the photos (when they work!) I always have trouble with the exposures though and have decided that a graduated ND filter will help me get towards taking the photos I want.

As a beginner (and a man of convenience) I thought it best to opt for a screw-in type rather than the inserts. I have read about the associated problems but I hope that this shouldn’t affect me too much - being on the coast, most of my landscapes are sunset shots from the Downs or looking out to sea.

I was looking for something in between this and this and came across these on Warehouse Express:

B+W 62mm 501 Dark Grey Graduated Filter - £44.99



B+W 62mm 502 Dark Grey Graduated Filter - £44.99



Firstly, I have had trouble finding any other screw-in grad ND filters - does anyone know where else I could find these?

Secondly, I can’t decide whether the 2 stop or the 3 stop would suit me best. Can anyone advise what the safest investment would be?

I assume I can double these up with a circular polarising filter too? (I am aware of the more glass-less quality rule...)

If I like the effect I get with these then I can always expand to the insert setup and sell on the screw-in but I didn’t want to jump straight in if I don’t have the skills to get effects I wanted!

Many thanks,

Tom
 
Don't get a screw-in as you will end up with horizons in the middle of the frame.

Get a slot-in one, the you can compose, and adjust accordingly.
 
Hi,
I use a B+W 502 whenever I have any sky in a photo without any problems, it evens the exposure just fine for my work. I have used slot in ones but find them too much hassle to position the line.
John
 
John Marshall said:
Hi,
I use a B+W 502 whenever I have any sky in a photo without any problems, it evens the exposure just fine for my work. I have used slot in ones but find them too much hassle to position the line.
John
Click to expand...

So do you always have your horizon in the middle, if you do what about the rule of thirds?

Or does the graduation appear about 1/3 of the way up/down the filter?
 
Hoya make screw-in grads, so do Tiffen, and no doubt many others, but B+W seem easiest to get. Tiffen HT 0.6 is favourite (2 stops soft grad) as it's actually neutral (some aren't) and multi-coated (most are uncoated acrylic). Pricey though.

I'm with you on the conveneince front and can't be messing with those damn fiddly holders. You can vary the height and strength of the grad with f/number, and if push comes to shove on positioning, you can compromise in camera and sort the crop in post.
 
Thanks All - I'll have a hunt around on ebay as well and see whether I can find the Hoya one, otherwise I'll go for the B+W as I'm on a bit of a budget.

With regards to the different level of light that passes through - is the 2 stop the preference over the 1 stop (I got my original post wrong)?

MAny thanks,

Tom
 
As said above, for about the same as one screw in filter, you can have a set of three slot in ND grads + holder and adapter!
 
TomHollo said:
Thanks All - I'll have a hunt around on ebay as well and see whether I can find the Hoya one, otherwise I'll go for the B+W as I'm on a bit of a budget.

With regards to the different level of light that passes through - is the 2 stop the preference over the 1 stop (I got my original post wrong)?

MAny thanks,

Tom
Click to expand...

If you're on a budget, you can have my Cokin filter holder, hitech filter and if 67mm or 52mm rings are any good to you, you have the lot for a 15 quid. I can't help thinking if you go down the screw-in grad route, you're going to be severely limited.
 
welly said:
If you're on a budget, you can have my Cokin filter holder, hitech filter and if 67mm or 52mm rings are any good to you, you have the lot for a 15 quid.
Click to expand...
If TomHollo doesn't take you up on this can I?
 
TomHollo said:
Thanks All - I'll have a hunt around on ebay as well and see whether I can find the Hoya one, otherwise I'll go for the B+W as I'm on a bit of a budget.

With regards to the different level of light that passes through - is the 2 stop the preference over the 1 stop (I got my original post wrong)?

MAny thanks,

Tom
Click to expand...

A two-stop soft grad is most popular, but it depends on the relative brightness of the sky and how dark you want it. I guess that's probably a good starting point.

On the cost front, it's hard to argue against some of the figures posted above, regardless of quality or convneience or whatever, particularly if you're learning. There's no substitute for a bit of real experience and if you're inclined to experiment, with a slot-in system you could get a load of different strengths, hard/soft cut, grey, orange, blue etc for not much money.
 
Have you had a look on 7dayshop.com ?
 
welly said:
If you're on a budget, you can have my Cokin filter holder, hitech filter and if 67mm or 52mm rings are any good to you, you have the lot for a 15 quid. I can't help thinking if you go down the screw-in grad route, you're going to be severely limited.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer it's very much appreciated.

HoppyUK said:
On the cost front, it's hard to argue against some of the figures posted above, regardless of quality or convneience or whatever, particularly if you're learning. There's no substitute for a bit of real experience and if you're inclined to experiment, with a slot-in system you could get a load of different strengths, hard/soft cut, grey, orange, blue etc for not much money.
Click to expand...

I completely understand what you are saying, but by the looks of the setup of a filter holder it wouldn't fit in my bag and i'd have to find a place for the filters to live as well.

I know you all probably think I'm mad (the low price offered by Welly has made me question whether I am!) but If I have put the whole setup on to take a shot and then take it off afterwards is just going to be a pain for me. I'll probably only end up annoying the mrs when she's with me! I take long enough taking photos as it is apparently!

Strangways said:
Have you had a look on 7dayshop.com ?
Click to expand...

I could only find this one on 7dayshop - is it worth a punt at £5.49+free delivery so see whether I would find a screw-in filter would hinder me?

Tom
 
TomHollo said:
...If I have put the whole setup on to take a shot and then take it off afterwards is just going to be a pain for me...
Click to expand...

Point taken, but I was thinking from a learning perspective, ie buy a load of cheap filters and do some experiments, then decide what you want and get that in a good quality circular.

Then sell the slot-in set in the For Sale section here for a decent price. I'm sure you'd have no touble doing that; filters are always popular and the market place here is very busy. (Last week I sold five lenses for over £1,000 in less than 12 hours :) ) Just an idea.
 
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