Filter Advice for Grand Canyon

[gooble]

I'm making a rather short-notice trip to the Grand Canyon. I'll most likely only have time to take some shots from the rim.

I'll have a 16-35, 70-200 and a 50mm on a 40D.

I currently don't have any filters or a system of any kind and my knowledge about filters is rather lacking.

I've decided on a Lee Foundation Kit, a 77mm ring and an GND filter. Not sure if I want to get a 67mm ring for the 70-200 or a 58mm ring for the 50. I probably won't to save money and could just hold it up in front of them if need be.

For the 16-35 on a 40D is the wide angle ring adapter necessary if by chance it is not available?

For those who have shot at the rim, is a soft or hard edge GND better. I'd rather not have to buy multiple filters. Someone else suggested hard as the skyline is rather flat.

What stop value would be the most useful? 2 or 3 stops; or something else? BTW not entirely sure if I understand the nomenclature of filters; .1= 1/3 stop, .2 = 2/3rd stop, .3 = 1 stop, .6 = 2 stop etc. Is that correct?

How useful will a polarizer be there ? I have experience with polarizers but not ND filters.

Should I get 4x6 filters so I could use it for a full ND if needed?

And finally, I'm not entirely sure I'll even go this route. I've considered just bracketing and doing some low-key HDR and tone maps to save money. If I got them I'd undoubtedly use them in the future. The only reason I haven't gotten any filters and a holder yet is that they weren't high on my list of priorities.

Should I just bracket and get a polarizer?

Any help is appreciated.

[badams]

I used a soft edge, but would have rather had a hard edge. I got the soft edge because we have hills/mountains around here and I couldn't see getting the hard edge for a 1 time use.

I bought the cokin system for my setup.

[gooble]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I don't know how often I'd use the hard edge.

[TenaCJed]

I went with the cokin p setup, I have 3 stop GND hard edge, 3 stop GND soft edge, 3 stop ND, and a circular polarizer filter. I would rather have these and rarely use them then be in a situation when I wish I had one.

That is why I went with the cokin P, cheaper for the setup and filters. I went with hitech filters.

Edit: By they way, I did not get these for Grand Canyon, just for general use in landscapes and waterfalls.

[argyle]

I'm making a rather short-notice trip to the Grand Canyon. I'll most likely only have time to take some shots from the rim.

I'll have a 16-35, 70-200 and a 50mm on a 40D.

I currently don't have any filters or a system of any kind and my knowledge about filters is rather lacking.

I've decided on a Lee Foundation Kit, a 77mm ring and an GND filter. Not sure if I want to get a 67mm ring for the 70-200 or a 58mm ring for the 50. I probably won't to save money and could just hold it up in front of them if need be.

Good decision on the Lee holder. Handholding is an option if you don't want to spend money on multiple adapter rings. Get the ring for your most-used lens and handhold the rest until you're able to get additional rings.

For the 16-35 on a 40D is the wide angle ring adapter necessary if by chance it is not available?

You should be able to get by without the WA adapter on the crop camera. Any wider than 16, and you'd definitely need it.

For those who have shot at the rim, is a soft or hard edge GND better. I'd rather not have to buy multiple filters. Someone else suggested hard as the skyline is rather flat.

A hard edge is best for shooting at the rim. The horizon is pretty much consistent across the frame.

What stop value would be the most useful? 2 or 3 stops; or something else? BTW not entirely sure if I understand the nomenclature of filters; .1= 1/3 stop, .2 = 2/3rd stop, .3 = 1 stop, .6 = 2 stop etc. Is that correct?

Get a 3-stop hard (0.9) for rim shooting.

How useful will a polarizer be there ? I have experience with polarizers but not ND filters.

A polarizer is always useful, for lots of different reasons.

Should I get 4x6 filters so I could use it for a full ND if needed?

I'd recommend the Hitech filters (4x5). Excellent filter at a moderate price. Heck, for the cost of a single Lee GND, you can almost get two Hitech filters (if that's what you decide to do, add a 2-stop soft into the mix). Otherwise, go with the hard gradient. I'm not a fan of using the dark half of a GND as an ND filter...I prefer the round ND filters...IMO, the results are more consistent.

And finally, I'm not entirely sure I'll even go this route. I've considered just bracketing and doing some low-key HDR and tone maps to save money. If I got them I'd undoubtedly use them in the future. The only reason I haven't gotten any filters and a holder yet is that they weren't high on my list of priorities.

My personal approach is to get the image right in the camera. Much prefer the use of a filter than spending more time than necessary in front of a monitor. I'll blend images only when absolutely necessary. The picture in my avatar was shot with a CPL and a 3-stop hard GND...no blending was necessary.

Should I just bracket and get a polarizer?

Definitely get a polarizer, and don't be afraid to use it in conjunction with the GND filter. The polarizer can also do double duty as a 1-2 stop ND filter. You should always bracket your shots anyway.

Any help is appreciated.

See my responses in blue above.