Photography is an expensive business!
Discussion
RobDickinson said:
I'm stil thumbtwiddling on filters, very tempted by Lee but there a pain to get in NZ.
Alternative is singh-ray I guess.
I want Either ND 4/8 and big stopper or variable ND, nd grad (soft/hard) and reverse ND grad. hmm...
Don't know how current this information still is - it seems to date back to 2004 - but here is a Thom Hogan post about filters including some interesting observations about variable NDs.Alternative is singh-ray I guess.
I want Either ND 4/8 and big stopper or variable ND, nd grad (soft/hard) and reverse ND grad. hmm...
Well think I agree with all he's saying, dont think that has changed too much. Thom is usualy spot on with what he says even if he uses nikon. 
Downside of a variabel ND filter is its a polariser right? and produces an X like effect on max.. Not sure if the singh ray does that, have a friend with one cost him about $1300 nz landed :O

Downside of a variabel ND filter is its a polariser right? and produces an X like effect on max.. Not sure if the singh ray does that, have a friend with one cost him about $1300 nz landed :O
RobDickinson said:
Well think I agree with all he's saying, dont think that has changed too much. Thom is usualy spot on with what he says even if he uses nikon. 
Downside of a variabel ND filter is its a polariser right? and produces an X like effect on max.. Not sure if the singh ray does that, have a friend with one cost him about $1300 nz landed :O
Rob, I was trying to refrain from making the Nikon connection .... 
Downside of a variabel ND filter is its a polariser right? and produces an X like effect on max.. Not sure if the singh ray does that, have a friend with one cost him about $1300 nz landed :O

It was mainly the observation (from memory) that the singh ray filters are (were) quite easy to scratch and so required careful handling - especially if taken to challenging locations where sand'grit/etc. and windiness were usual.
Maybe I misread that. However at the price I would find it disconcerting if I read it right.
Their rectangular filters are resin based like cokin and I would expect them to scratch easily, like cokin.
Have to say I dont baby my filters and have some scratches on them but then I dont use them that much due to the poor results cokin p usualy gives.
Fitler and holders vignette/enter frame on my 10-20 and 17-55 also, tho usualy I'm happy to hold one filter infront of the lens than use the mount etc.
Just not sure I can justify spending multiple $100's on something else. Prehaps Hitech filters.... And a 'cheap' variable nd (fader) from ebay.
Have to say I dont baby my filters and have some scratches on them but then I dont use them that much due to the poor results cokin p usualy gives.
Fitler and holders vignette/enter frame on my 10-20 and 17-55 also, tho usualy I'm happy to hold one filter infront of the lens than use the mount etc.
Just not sure I can justify spending multiple $100's on something else. Prehaps Hitech filters.... And a 'cheap' variable nd (fader) from ebay.
RobDickinson said:
I'm stil thumbtwiddling on filters, very tempted by Lee but there a pain to get in NZ.
Alternative is singh-ray I guess.
I want Either ND 4/8 and big stopper or variable ND, nd grad (soft/hard) and reverse ND grad. hmm...
You should have said - given that I'm currently touring NZ at the moment. Alternative is singh-ray I guess.
I want Either ND 4/8 and big stopper or variable ND, nd grad (soft/hard) and reverse ND grad. hmm...
Oh and I decided to splash out on a 16-35 L and a 50mm 1.4.
Just bought a twin Bowens Gemini 400 studio lighting kit and have a backdrop and stand on order. Am thinking I ought to invest in a few modifiers (beauty dish, big softbox, snoot etc) whilst I'm at it. At least I'm owed a big rebate from the VAT man and I'll get the VAT back on this lot too. Still all expensive though...
muppetdave said:
Last splurge for me (well technically the wife for my Xmas present) was for the Lee DSLR starter kit and circ. polariser - still twiddling my thumbs waiting for the starter kit to turn up 
Oof that's bad! Who did you order from Dave ? (please tell me it wasn't StudioKitDirect 
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, and new software 
, anyone?