GND or CPL?

[AiGTs]

I am looking to buy a filter to rescue the sky/clouds in my photos. Would you recommend using a CPL or GND? My sky is often washed out (overexposed).

[DragonSpeed]

IMO a 3 stop hard GND. With a filter holder so you can set where the horizon line is.

[AiGTs]

IMO a 3 stop hard GND. With a filter holder so you can set where the horizon line is.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have been doing some research on GND holder and filters. Can you suggest an online source to buy them from?

I am thinking a Cokin P series holder with a few ring adapters so i can use the GND on all of my lenses and Lee filters. What do you think?

Also, do you have any experience with eBay holders? Are they a waste of money?

[nicshow]

You can google and find some good tutorials...The Cokin P holder and adaptor rings off ebay work just fine. Hitech GNDs are a good value. Use the depth of field preview button to see where the line of the GND is so you can place it properly. The soft lines are generally better for landscapes where the horizon line may not be definite like in the mountains.

Nic

[AiGTs]

You can google and find some good tutorials...The Cokin P holder and adaptor rings off ebay work just fine. Hitech GNDs are a good value. Use the depth of field preview button to see where the line of the GND is so you can place it properly. The soft lines are generally better for landscapes where the horizon line may not be definite like in the mountains.

Nic

Will the 10-22 lens vignette with the Cokin P series holder? Or is a wide angle holder needed for something this wide? The Hitech filter and holder package is $57.11 on 2filter.com, is this the best place to get it?

Thanks.

[nicshow]

Yes, it will. Some people simply cut off the "extra" part of the filter holder to eliminate this - I shoot wide enough to be able to crop it off.

I've never ordered from 2filter...I've just always bought the holders and rings on Ebay and the Hitech from B&H.

[RPCrowe]

Given the right angle of the sun, a CPL filter is far more versatile than a GND and will often darken the sky enough to reduce the exposure variation between sky and foreground.

The CPL is the first filter that I would recommend for any photographer since it is useful in so many ways besides just darkening the sky.

[nicshow]

And, having all this equipment advice, it must be said that no filter will save an exposure that just has too much dynamic range. One of the keys to avoiding washed out skies is to know how light will work in your camera. Photographing landscapes at surnrise and at sunset (and an hour or so on each side) will oftentimmes reduce dependence on equipment and keep the colors in those skies!

Nic