Sunset without filters?

[Dubn83]

Hey guys I brought a sigma 10-20 for my d3100 a few month bk as I live on the south coast and think it b rude not to take advantage of it. But I've only used it a few time and not on sunsets either as I think I'll need sum filters (lookin at hitech 100 mondular, hard 0.9, 0.6 & reverse 0.6). Now I haven't got 200 odd notes to spend, but should I wait or is it possible to get a good shoot without filters?

 

[kendo1]

Yep.

You don't need them. Waste of time.

Well, mainly....

 

[Blythman]

Costs nothing to try. But I wouldn't be without my filters.

I would have liked to have bought Lee, but funds would only allow Hitech, so I have the hard grad set.

Used them at the weekend on Blyth Beach, and posted the pics in the critique forum

 

[markmullen]

Like Alan, I wouldn't be without my filters.

If you're shooting a lot of coastal sunsets as you say the Hitech Reverse ND Grad is ideal for that kind of shot.

I just wish Lee would make a reverse grad (I spoke to them both at Photokina and Focus and they said that they get asked a lot but have no plans to make one).

 

[Merc]

Yep.

You don't need them. Waste of time.

Well, mainly....

Really?

I mostly shoot landscapes and I would not be without my graduated neutral density filters.

 

[kendo1]

Really?

I mostly shoot landscapes and I would not be without my graduated neutral density filters.

I said mainly! Graduated definitely have their uses.

I was thinking about coloured filters when I posted.

 

[Nguss]

I always use them, but there are other ways such as blending multiple exposures to get the same effect, which in some cases can look better anyway. I only have NX2, so can't do this with that programme, hence my use of filters.

 

[Merc]

If I could only have one filter it would be a 0.6 hard grad.

I'm often down your way David. Give me a shout if you need more help.

 

[ChrisGilbert]

If I could only have one filter it would be a 0.6 hard grad.

And then a 0.9 soft

 

[buckas]

love my grads/NDs, also wouldn't shoot coastal without my CPL - makes the sea go pop

 

[buzzlightweight]

love my grads/NDs, also wouldn't shoot coastal without my CPL - makes the sea go pop

^^ couldnt agree more

 

[Idlefrog]

You could try using HDR with multiple exposures if you have the necessary software. You don't have too go extreme with it. See my last post in the landscape critique section for some examples. They were shot straight in to the sun with no filters.

I find that my HiTech filters give me much worse flare than without them. I like flare in some photos, but the flare I get with filters is not often very pleasing.