Graduated Blue Filter

[M5Man]

Guys,

Im new to filters not used them before but I took some pictures in Ireland the other week whilst staying at Solis Castle and to be honest the pictures looked very cold as ther sky was white in between showers.

I think if I had used the above filter it would of really helped the picture.

Do you guys rate the graduated lenses, if so whats the make to get middle of the range price wise is fine..

[Lowner]

Whilst I have never tried the blue grad you mention, I do have a set of three ND grads, in 1, 2 and 3 stops.

I use these a lot for exactly the reason you mention. In the UK we have our fair share of grey skys, but with the right treatment, these same greys can actually look quite good. You'll find that it's often not the monotone grey you thought it was.

[M5Man]

Whilst I have never tried the blue grad you mention, I do have a set of three ND grads, in 1, 2 and 3 stops.

I use these a lot for exactly the reason you mention. In the UK we have our fair share of grey skys, but with the right treatment, these same greys can actually look quite good. You'll find that it's often not the monotone grey you thought it was.

Richard,

Thanks for your reply , like I said new to filters.

Are these ND filters, filters with a hint of blue and as the stops increase the darker the blue.

[krb]

Richard,

Thanks for your reply , like I said new to filters.

Are these ND filters, filters with a hint of blue and as the stops increase the darker the blue.
ND is neutral density. They are a neutral grey that darkens the image without changing the color. The "stops" are literal stops. A 1 stop ND makes the image 1 stop darker. Using graduated ND against a cloudy sky prevents anything from getting blown out and you can see the detail in the clouds.

[M5Man]

So what I need then is a ND filter 1?

[krb]

So what I need then is a ND filter 1?
What you need is going to vary depending on the specific conditions and the effect you want to achieve. A "complete set" could be 2 or 3 grades of ND, 2 or 3 grades of soft graduated ND, 2 or 3 grades of hard ND and a circular polarizor. Hard and soft refers to the line between clear and tinted. Colored tints can be applied in post-processing but I like having graduated blue and tobacco filters in the bag so I can see the results while I'm still standing there in the field.

When looking at graduated filters it is best to go with the large rectangular style that fits into a holder that attaches to the lens (i.e. Cokin). These allow you to adjust how much of the viewable area is covered by the tint vs how much is left clear.

[Lowner]

The light-stopping ability of the filter you use will be totally dependent on the scene you are shooting. Which is why I went for the three filters.

My 30D has a useable dynamic range of about 8 stops. Real life has a far greater range than that. To pull a really bright sky into a suitable range that will allow me to get detail into the shadow areas can often mean using the 3-stop ND grad, or if not so extreme, the 1-stop version. It is possible to stack a 1 and 2 stop to get the 3 stops, but I don't like putting things in front of my expensive glass if I don't have to.

[M5Man]

What you need is going to vary depending on the specific conditions and the effect you want to achieve. A "complete set" could be 2 or 3 grades of ND, 2 or 3 grades of soft graduated ND, 2 or 3 grades of hard ND and a circular polarizor. Hard and soft refers to the line between clear and tinted. Colored tints can be applied in post-processing but I like having graduated blue and tobacco filters in the bag so I can see the results while I'm still standing there in the field.

When looking at graduated filters it is best to go with the large rectangular style that fits into a holder that attaches to the lens (i.e. Cokin). These allow you to adjust how much of the viewable area is covered by the tint vs how much is left clear.

Cheers Krb

If you could give the actual names of what i need I would really appreciate it ;)

[Lowner]

OK, if you go the Cokin route, I'd suggest the 121L (ND2), this is the 1 stop filter. Next, the 121M (ND4), this is the 2 stop filter. Lastly, the 121 (ND8), this is the 3 stop filter. You will also need a filter holder and a lens adapter ring to suit your lens(es).

edited to add: These are all "soft transition" filters, it is perfectly possible to go for harder edged transitions.

I believe my own system is the Cokin "P". You will need to consider focal lengths carefully, because with wide angle lenses, if the filters are too small you will suffer vignetting in the corners of the frame.

[M5Man]

Thanks Richard