ND grad and reverse ND..

[beachgirl]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good book on these filters? I want to buy a ND grad filter,. Can anyone recommend maybe what brand to look for? Is glass better? I've read A LOT of threads here but still would like to hear some user advice. I love to shoot beach scenes/water scenes. But always get blown out skys. After reading about these filters I thought maybe they could help some? Thanks.
Jenny

[mbze430]

I personally use Lee files. Glass and coated.

If you look on my photoblog, all my ocean/beach shots are ALL done with filters.

Go to and click on Nature, than click on Landscape.

[JayHawk]

ND grads are one option that can greatly improve beach scenes. (another option if you have a tripod is to make two exposures and blend later on the computer, but that's another debate)

I don't know about any specific books that cover ND grads, but the type of filter system you buy should probably start with your budget. One place to start is with a Cokin filter holder for the front of the lens. Then figure out what type of filter you want to place in the holder. The ND grads made by Cokin I don't think are true neutral density, so you might wind up with some sort of color shift (I'm not sure if that's a big deal or not with digital if you shoot RAW).

Moving up in price point gets you towards Hi-Tech filters which are pretty good, and if you really want to drop some cash, go for Singh-Ray. Lee also has a filter system, but I think their filters have their own holder for the front of the lens, they're glass too. I think the biggest difference between glass filters and resin based filters is the degree to which they scratch.

You mentioned a reverse ND.....I haven't had much luch with a reverse ND (where the centerline is the darkest part of the frame, and then it gradually lightens as you go towards the top) on a 1.6x camera like the
rebel XT, the image size just isn't large enough to let the filter fully take effect.


OK, enough rambling, I'm sure a dozen other people have posted in the time it took me to type this!

[beachgirl]

I personally use Lee files. Glass and coated.

If you look on my photoblog, all my ocean/beach shots are ALL done with filters.

Go to and click on Nature, than click on Landscape.

WOW mbze430, Your photo's are beautiful, I have 1 or 2 that sorta look like your beach pics. Though not near as good. But you just gave me justification for wanting this filter. Question.... The beach shots, were those taken with ND filters? What stop were they? 2 or 3?? Did you use any color filters?? And do you use the rectangle filters? I get the idea the round ones are'nt as versitile. My beach shots are in photo bucket, the link is in my sig. THANKS SO MUCH;)
Jenny

[beachgirl]

ND grads are one option that can greatly improve beach scenes. (another option if you have a tripod is to make two exposures and blend later on the computer, but that's another debate)

I don't know about any specific books that cover ND grads, but the type of filter system you buy should probably start with your budget. One place to start is with a Cokin filter holder for the front of the lens. Then figure out what type of filter you want to place in the holder. The ND grads made by Cokin I don't think are true neutral density, so you might wind up with some sort of color shift (I'm not sure if that's a big deal or not with digital if you shoot RAW).

Moving up in price point gets you towards Hi-Tech filters which are pretty good, and if you really want to drop some cash, go for Singh-Ray. Lee also has a filter system, but I think their filters have their own holder for the front of the lens, they're glass too. I think the biggest difference between glass filters and resin based filters is the degree to which they scratch.

You mentioned a reverse ND.....I haven't had much luch with a reverse ND (where the centerline is the darkest part of the frame, and then it gradually lightens as you go towards the top) on a 1.6x camera like the
rebel XT, the image size just isn't large enough to let the filter fully take effect.


OK, enough rambling, I'm sure a dozen other people have posted in the time it took me to type this!

Hi JayHawk, BIG THANKS for the info, ok i'll forget the reverse ND for now. I guess I'd rather buy true ND glass, I'm not rollin in dough but I like quality equipment, so I don't have to re buy when I get better at this. I will check out the brands you mentioned. Thanks again.
Best Regards,
Jenny

[Tsmith]

The Hitech brand is of very good quality.

[mbze430]

WOW mbze430, Your photo's are beautiful, I have 1 or 2 that sorta look like your beach pics. Though not near as good. But you just gave me justification for wanting this filter. Question.... The beach shots, were those taken with ND filters? What stop were they? 2 or 3?? Did you use any color filters?? And do you use the rectangle filters? I get the idea the round ones are'nt as versitile. My beach shots are in photo bucket, the link is in my sig. THANKS SO MUCH;)
Jenny

Yes ND filters are normally added along with color filters. The stop range depends on the time of day. I normally will compare the exposure stop between the brightest area in the sky, than the most important subject on land. That will determine what I need to get it within 1.5 stop.

Lee Filters are rectangular glass filters. I don't use screw on filters other than POLs. The fact of the matter is that with rectangular ones you can move up and down or left and right amount of gradient of the filter. With circular screw on, it's ALWAYS 1/2.

for beach I usually get several grade of blues, yellow, coffee. I sometime use a light purple.

[beachgirl]

Yes ND filters are normally added along with color filters. The stop range depends on the time of day. I normally will compare the exposure stop between the brightest area in the sky, than the most important subject on land. That will determine what I need to get it within 1.5 stop.

Lee Filters are rectangular glass filters. I don't use screw on filters other than POLs. The fact of the matter is that with rectangular ones you can move up and down or left and right amount of gradient of the filter. With circular screw on, it's ALWAYS 1/2.

for beach I usually get several grade of blues, yellow, coffee. I sometime use a light purple.

Can't wait to go shopping:D Thanks again, you were a big help.
Be:D
BG

[Jon]

I use Singh-Ray (http://www.singh-ray.com/grndgrads.html). They have a couple of links to articles by Galen Rowell and John Shaw on using them on their site. In addition, Galen Rowell talked about their use in several of his books.

[beachgirl]

I use Singh-Ray (http://www.singh-ray.com/grndgrads.html). They have a couple of links to articles by Galen Rowell and John Shaw on using them on their site. In addition, Galen Rowell talked about their use in several of his books.

Hey Jon, The link you put in for singh-ray is exactly where I was reading about them. Very informative. Should I order through this link? Or B&H? I'll go price checking. THANKS for your help.
Jenny

[beachgirl]

Yes ND filters are normally added along with color filters. The stop range depends on the time of day. I normally will compare the exposure stop between the brightest area in the sky, than the most important subject on land. That will determine what I need to get it within 1.5 stop.

Lee Filters are rectangular glass filters. I don't use screw on filters other than POLs. The fact of the matter is that with rectangular ones you can move up and down or left and right amount of gradient of the filter. With circular screw on, it's ALWAYS 1/2.

for beach I usually get several grade of blues, yellow, coffee. I sometime use a light purple.

Hi, could you maybe tell me what grades of blue?? What should I look for? Exactly? And what situation do you use the light purple?
Jenny

[Jon]

I ordered direct; no noticeable difference in price, and since you're ordering direct you'll get them faster.

[beachgirl]

I ordered direct; no noticeable difference in price, and since you're ordering direct you'll get them faster.

Hi, me again. I'm not sure what exactly to buy. I have a 350D. and my only lens is 24-105mm "L". I think I need a step up ring plus the filters?? DUH I'll call customer service :)Sorry.
Jen.

[mbze430]

Hi, could you maybe tell me what grades of blue?? What should I look for? Exactly? And what situation do you use the light purple?
Jenny

Well, it depends, different manufacturer has different "name" for them. If you going with Singhray, you'll have to ask someone that uses them which grade of blue.

[benca1]

Hi, me again. I'm not sure what exactly to buy. I have a 350D. and my only lens is 24-105mm "L". I think I need a step up ring plus the filters?? DUH I'll call customer service :)Sorry.
Jen.

Heck, I think you'll need a bracket!

Informative thread...

[Jon]

For Singh-Ray's grads order a Cokin "P" series bracket and the appropriate size ring for your 24-105; that you'll need to get from B&h or elsewhere, but they're not very expensive.

[beachgirl]

The Hitech brand is of very good quality.

Thanks bluedog, will make a note to check out hitech.
Jenny

[beachgirl]

Heck, I think you'll need a bracket!

Informative thread...

Hey Benca1, is a bracket the thing that holds the filter to the camera??
Jenny
P.S. Are you in San Jose CA? I'm in Morgan Hill.

[beachgirl]

For Singh-Ray's grads order a Cokin "P" series bracket and the appropriate size ring for your 24-105; that you'll need to get from B&h or elsewhere, but they're not very expensive.

Hi Jon, one more question. Hard or soft line??
PeACe,
Jenny

[benca1]

Hey Benca1, is a bracket the thing that holds the filter to the camera??
Jenny
P.S. Are you in San Jose CA? I'm in Morgan Hill.

Hiya Beach, yup, I'm just up the higway from you. And thanks for the thread, it's now bookmarked for future reference. Jon answers our question up above.

But I have another for the people who know... how do you position the filter? Since the line between ND and clear is a straight line, how do you line it up with mountains or anything outside of a clear sky line at the beach?

Is there a book that covers this kind of stuff?

It was interesting to read Natures Best of issue, lots of excellent photos. ND filters were used, but no polariziers, so I'm very curious.

I understand the same effect can be made with bracketing exposures or duping layers in photoshop... but I'm still curious to know why pros use the filtrs knowing that they can workaround not using a filter.

[Jon]

Hi Jon, one more question. Hard or soft line??
PeACe,
JennyDepends on what you're going to be using it for. If there's a distinct, straight, horizon, a hard line is best. If you're in an area with hills, mountains, or buildings, you'll find a soft one darkens the sky some without leaving the buildings or mountains in the dark. I have both; started with a 2-stop soft and a 3-stop hard grad.

[beachgirl]

Hiya Beach, yup, I'm just up the higway from you. And thanks for the thread, it's now bookmarked for future reference. Jon answers our question up above.

But I have another for the people who know... how do you position the filter? Since the line between ND and clear is a straight line, how do you line it up with mountains or anything outside of a clear sky line at the beach?

Is there a book that covers this kind of stuff?

It was interesting to read Natures Best of issue, lots of excellent photos. ND filters were used, but no polariziers, so I'm very curious.

I understand the same effect can be made with bracketing exposures or duping layers in photoshop... but I'm still curious to know why pros use the filtrs knowing that they can workaround not using a filter.


Benca1, I've read some where:confused: to place the line on the filter at a diagonal when there isn't a distinct horizon line. google ND Grad filter, I found some good reading this way. Also I think doing the layers thing in PS is hard and long if you don't know what exacly you are doing.JMO I'm sure someone will tell you for sure.I'm just learning PSE, But do have a couple books on "how to do everything " with PSE. Just need time to sit and do it.
Later neighbor,:D
Jenny