ND Filters

[DannyScene]

Hi Guys,

Apologies but this is another noob style thread

Alot of the best landscape shots I've seen or the ones I'd like to try myself require some sort of ND filter I've been searching and found this on amazon but no idea if thats a good deal or if I should be looking for something else, I simply don't know

http://www.amazon.co.uk/9size-Metal-Adapter-Series...

It looks like a good deal to me but as above I simply dont know


thanks for any help in advance

[nellyleelephant]

I wouldn't go for that particular kit, they're knock off Cokin copies from what I can make out!

What's the widest angle lens you have?....and what body.

[SlidingSideways]

Cheaper to buy the holder, adapter rings to suit your own lenses (that set seems to include every available size) and then the filters you want.
HiTech tend to be better than Cokin, but not quite as good (or expensive) as Lee.

If you have a wide angle lens (eg. 10-20 ish) then look at getting the 100mm filters as you'll get vignetting using the 85mm ones under about 17mm focal length.

Teamwork Photographic are good for all this stuff: http://www.teamworkphoto.com/slot-filters-holders-...

[DannyScene]

Thanks for the quick responses guys

I'm still on my first camera and lens so its a a nikon D3100 with the standard 18-55mm lens, i beleive it needs 52mm filters but I'm not sure

[DibblyDobbler]

I did the same as a lot of people and started with Cokin (cheap and ok), the moved onto Lee (good but ludicrously expensive). For landscapes you'll probably want a graduated ND filter which will bring down the sky a bit but leave the land as is.

Something like this maybe : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cokin-Neutral-Density-ND...

and also one of these : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cokin-58mm-58-A-Series-F...

[DannyScene]

Sorry to drag this old thread up guys

Just ordered some filters as I hit a financial rough patch shortly after I started this thread so couldn't order at the time

If I want to try those nice shots where the water looks all smokey do I need the darkest part of the filter at the bottom of my image or the top?


Sounds like such a stupid question when I type it out haha

[Simpo Two]

DannyScene said:

If I want to try those nice shots where the water looks all smokey do I need the darkest part of the filter at the bottom of my image or the top?

All over. Grads are for too-bright skies.

[DannyScene]

Simpo Two said:

DannyScene said:

If I want to try those nice shots where the water looks all smokey do I need the darkest part of the filter at the bottom of my image or the top?

All over. Grads are for too-bright skies.

I really shouldve known that, damn think I'm having a slow day today

I've ordered a set of 6 filters, 3 grads and 3 full

They were stupidly cheap so may be crap but atleast that'll go hand in hand with my level of skill

[DibblyDobbler]

You'll probably get a colour cast but if you shoot RAW you should be abe to fix it afterwards

[DannyScene]

DibblyDobbler said:

You'll probably get a colour cast but if you shoot RAW you should be abe to fix it afterwards

Ashamed to admit I have never shot in raw and dont own photoshop or any real editing software for that matter

Guess there is a fist time for everything

[The_Jackal]

I used that same filter kit for a long exposure. I ended up using all three NDs at the same time and I had minimal colorcast (these days colorcasts are quick and easy to correct anyway).
These are perfect for learning the fundamentals of their use. When you become pro or expert and money isnt such a concern you can go and buy the expensive ones. But your skill as a photographer will make way more difference than the cost of your ND filter.

[JustinMinns]

DannyScene said:

Ashamed to admit I have never shot in raw and dont own photoshop or any real editing software for that matter

Guess there is a fist time for everything

What camera do you have? most dslrs come with editing software which will be good enough to remove a colour cast. If not look up how to use a custom white balance in the manual as that will also get rid of any colour casts

[DibblyDobbler]

DannyScene said:

Ashamed to admit I have never shot in raw and dont own photoshop or any real editing software for that matter

Guess there is a fist time for everything

Photoshop Elements 12 is £33.99 on Amazon at the moment

linky