Soft Grad Filters

[Masked Bandit]

Hi All,

I have 2 questions to ask.

1. When setting exposure with a soft grad filters, do you set the exposure for the darker background, and the add the filter and manually set that exposure, or slide the filter into position and let the camera metering do its job?

2. Do you find that they alter the focus point at all? ( I am using a manual focus lens, usually set for hyperfocal distance )

I have read many opinions in magazines, that it all gets a bit confusing

Thanks,

Philip

 

[TCR4x4]

Meter and expose for the foreground without the filter, then slide the filter in.

Shouldnt alter the focus at all.

 

[Masked Bandit]

Thanks Tom.

 

[Quickshooter]

How does the metering work. still don't get this. do it do it automatically when you half press the shutter button? if so surely once you slide the filter in and press the button again it will re meter?

cheers

 

[AJQS]

Lock the exposure then slide the filter in, or knock a stop off with Exposure compensation and let it meter with the filter on. TBH if you're using digital a quick check of the LCD will show you if you need to add/remove some EC or a stronger filter.

 

[TCR4x4]

I use manual mode and spot meter on the foreground, check the exposure without the filter and set it to the correct settings, make a note of it just in case and then slide the filter in and take the image. Ignore what the meter tells you as you know that the foreground will be correctly exposed. You of course will need to use the correct strength ND grad to get a balanced exposure.

 

[Quickshooter]

ok i use the nikon d3100 and have never noticed it telling me if i need to change the exposer, i can change it but the is a smaple picture that gets darker or lighter i dont think it tells me if what im actually looking at needs changing.

i use M mode so i can control my AP and shutter, but if the picture is dark i just adjust one of them and re take. i never really touch the exposer bit. i think i normally shot with spot meter also, but its just on that selection i dont do any metering its self i just shot lol

 

[cdiver2]

I use manual mode and spot meter on the foreground, check the exposure without the filter and set it to the correct settings, make a note of it just in case and then slide the filter in and take the image. Ignore what the meter tells you as you know that the foreground will be correctly exposed. You of course will need to use the correct strength ND grad to get a balanced exposure.

Thats the way I do it

 

[Barks]

Thats the way I do it

Me too

And to help you find which nd grad to use, at the metering stage spot (ideally) or partial if that's all your have meter both the foreground and sky and note the difference on the meter gauge.