are Sunpak graduated ND filters good quality?

[johnathanesper]

I was planning on buying a graduated ND filter for a Canon 20d camera. I saw a Sunpak graduated ND filter on ebay with a buy it now price of $33. Of what quality is this filter? Is this a good deal?

Thank you!
Johnathan Esper
www.wildernessphotographs.com (http://www.wildernessphotographs.com)

[steven]

Why buy one at all??
If you are doing land scapes on a tripod just shoot two images with different exposures and then use PS to combine them. No need for a graduated ND;)

[mdr]

That method doesn't work handheld or if shooting landscapes with very fast changing features like stormy skies :confused:.

Also, this takes time and effort behind the computer. I'd rather spend that time being out taking landscape shots :D.

Just the word Sunpak alone means poor quality to me.

Is the sunpak filter a screw in or square filter. If screw in, then avoid. A square one will allow you to move the 'line' between light and dark parts of the filter to the desired part of the photo. With a square one you will also need a filter holder.

If looking for graduates, I would recommend Cokin P size or Lee Filters. Lee Filters is the choice of the professional, much better quality, bigger and much more expensive.

I'll stick with my Lee graduates for the moment.

[steven]

Not to argue to point too much but I can take two shoots using different exposures alot faster than I can getting out my cokin filter holder, mount the filter and them position the ND gradient. (Yes I do own them but don't use them much)

It all comes down to try both and decide which method is faster for you and/or fits your creative style better.

[mdr]

Not to argue either. Bet I can mount my Lee filters faster and take the shot handheld than you can set up your tripod ;) . I agree it's just a matter of preference and probably habit.

[johnathanesper]

look at the debate I have started! oh my. well, while you debate it out, I am going to go ahead a buy a filter, (not Sunpak :-)) because mobility is key factor for me. I love to hike in the mountains and travel where few have gone before, and where no large tripod is going!

[steven]

I have to conceed that if you are shooting hand held that it is one situation that I would use ND grad rather than the PS option.
Fortunatly most of my landscape does not move that fast:)

[Jon]

I'd say if you're planning on using grads on a regular basis, get the Singh Ray Galen Rowell grads and a Cokin holder.

[Persian-Rice]

I prefer to use filters. I'm one of those "get it right the first time" kinda guys. Keeps me in the habit of taking correct pictures instead of fixing things later.

I tend to only buy Hoya, they have never done me wrong, so I dont change brands.

[iwatkins]

Maybe I'm not very good with Photoshop, after all i've only been using it for about five years. But I always find a shot taken with ND grads (I use Lee) always looks more natural than a blended double exposure, no matter how much time I spend on it. I'll stick to ND grads for now but all my other filters (bar the polarisers) have gone in the bin since using Photoshop.

Cheers

Ian

[mdr]

Hoya filters are all round screw ins. If you want to use a grad, you'll need a square filter system with holder. Hoya doesn't make these, so you will have to change make if you want to use grads ;).

[mdr]

Really love the photographs of Galen Rowell, but have never heard of Galen Rowell grads. Are these square filters? If so what size? Are they only available on the other side of the big pond?

[Jon]

Really love the photographs of Galen Rowell, but have never heard of Galen Rowell grads. Are these square filters? If so what size? Are they only available on the other side of the big pond?

They're rectangular (84x120 mm), long enough that you can adjust where the transition zone falls. The default is for the Cokin "P" holder, but they'll make others to suit your needs. They'll also make just the filter you need. Most major companies offer only the few filters listed in their catalogs, but Bob Singh told me on my first call to his Venice, Florida shop, "Just tell me what you want and we'll make it for you. We do that for anyone. You photographers know what your needs are better than we do." (Full article reproduced on the Singh-Ray (http://www.singh-ray.com/srgnd2.html) website)

They'll ship anywhere. USPS is standard but if you want FedEx, they'll let you know the cost.

[mdr]

Thanks.

For info, I use 100x150mm grads from Lee Filters. I doesn't sound like a cutom made Rowan Gallen filter will be cheaper than a professional Lee filter.