Thanks for the replies.
OK, stupid question time: what kit do we actually need? I assume a filter holder (do I only need one, as all the lenses are the same size ~ 77mm) but how many Grads?
I know you can spend, spend, spend but realistically how many/which filters should we get?
Finally,
Singh Ray filters were mentioned to us by someone: any comments on these filter please?
Thanks.
You will need: -
- Filter holder; these come in different settings. You can have them for multiple filters (ideal for most lenses), or for just one filter (ideal for wide angle lenses).
- Holder Mounting Ring; this is a ring that fits into the holder (above) and makes it screw on to the front of your lens. These come in different sizes, and you will need the size that fits the front filter thread on your lens. So, if you have various lenses for which you'd like to use your filter kit on, then you will need to get Mounting Rings for each size lens.
- Filters; get whichever and whatever effect you'd like.
For NDG there are two distinct types; hard edge and soft edge. The difference being how the dark area fades into the light area. Unless you're shooting a very flat horizon (seascape) I would avoid the hard edge; but that's a personal preference.
NDG, like most colour graduated filters, come in various strength. 0.3 is one stop of light being reduced at the most. 0.6 is two stops, and 0.9 is 3 stops.
HiTech / Formatt, and most good quality brands also do 1.2 (4 stops), 1.5 ( 5 stops) and 3.0 (10 stops). The 3.0 (10 stops) is a huge reduction in shutter speed and will need extra care to use, these are also more expensive as they're not so easy to manufacture.
If you decide to go with the 3.0 (10 stops) then I don't recommend you use HiTech / Formatt (it, sadly, gives a magenta colour cast). As a matter of fact, I wouldn't recommend any of these slip-in filters for this kind of long exposure. There is always the risk of light leak from around the filter's bracket (but this is for another thread, if you're interested).
Singh-Ray, these are up there with Lee. Very expensive, very hard to find, and very good for the ego.
Surely it should be out their or is it just a case of give a dog a bad name.:shrug:
