Help with GND selection

[acorean]

OK, I'm getting married next month and am going to Maui and Kauai on my honeymoon. I am not a landscape shooter by any means but I want to do some sunrise/sunset etc. and would like to try a GND setup.

I will be putting it on a 10-20 and a 17-55 f/2.8 IS. (both 77mm)

I'm assuming I need some sort of wide holder that only takes one filter so that I don't get vignetting.

I have no idea what brand or what specific parts I need to get. Please help!

Also, should I get a 2 stop gradual, 3 stop gradual, hard edge? I will be doing sunset/rise over the ocean but I think I want to go with a soft edge as i like to place objects that poke up above the horizon in my shots.

[argyle]

Typically, you'll need a holder, and adapter ring that threads onto your lens barrel (in your case a 77mm ring), and the filter holder itself. I wouldn't recommend a single-slot holder such as the Cokin P wide anglefor the simple reason that you will not have the ability to use more than one filter at a time. There will be occasions when you will need to stack filters, and this type of holder will prevent that ability. Also, with the Cokin P WA holder, you'll need to carry along the regular holder as well.

I'd agree with your use of soft edged filters if you intend to have objects above the horizon. There are many varieties to choose from...Cokin, Hitech, Lee, and Singh-Ray. These are also listed in the order of price, from low to high. The best value, IMO, would be the Hitech line of 4x5 filters...very good filters at a moderate price. The Cokins tend to leave a colorcast on the image...this can be removed in PP, but who wants something else to deal with if you can avoid it in the first place? Another filter to consider is a "reverse GND". AFAIK, only Singh-Ray has these (but I could be mistaken). If you plan on having the actual sun in your sunrise/sunset pictures, this would be an excellent filter to have along. Unlike a regular GND, the reverse filters are darkest at the center and fade towards the top. These are a bit pricey.

As far as holders go, personally I'm partial to the Lee holder. Excellent design, and no little pins to fuss with such as with the Cokin Z-Pro. Its also customizable in that you can adjust the number of your filter slots as necessary (can't do that with a fixed holder). And you'll only need the one holder...can be used on both wide angle and longer focal lengths with the proper adapter ring.

If you decide on the Lee, all that you'd need would be (1) the holder itself (known as the Lee foundation kit) and (2) the 77mm wide angle adapter ring. You should be able to use the WA ring with both of your listed lenses. So...one holder, and one adapter ring. I'd start with two filters, a 2-stop and 3-stop.

A good source is the following link:

http://www.2filters.com

[foxbat]

If you go with Hitech 85 (Cokin P compatible) then do an ebay search for "cokin p wide" to get a cheap holder for use on the ultra wide lenses or just "cokin p holder" for the standard holder. They're cheap as chips and do the job. Don't forget to pick up a 77mm adaptor ring.

[acorean]

OK, just got off the phone with John at 2filter and he recommended the following:

http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

It is composed of:
1. a cokin p-series wide holder
2. 77mm adapter ring
3. Hitech 0.6 HL

Total cost $57.11

This seems a whole lot cheaper than going with a Lee holder, etc. I have not used these filters before and figure since I'm not a landscape photographer it is a good start to get my feet wet before I invest hundreds on a filter setup that I will live with for a long time.

Do you folks think this will do me right for my Hawaiian Getaway?

[argyle]

If all you need it for is a one-shot deal, then it makes sense. If, however, you decide to get more into landscape photography, I'm afraid that you'll be limited with a one-slot holder. Then, you'll most likely spend additional money to upgrade your gear. Just my two cents. Either way, good luck on your upcoming wedding/honeymoon.

[acorean]

Thanks. I appreciate your advice Argyle but I would rather spend $50 now and upgrade later. Most of that $50 is for the filter which I can use if I upgrade the holder and add filters in the future.