Must Haves for Landscape shooting

[maranelloboy05]

I have really been inspired to do a lot of landscape shooting this year and instead of putting money into a new body or new lenses I really don't need I am getting some accessories. Right now I have a 055xprob and a 488RC2 in my Amazon cart. I need some help with a filter kit, I really don't know what is best for me right now. I am panning to spend around $500 max so I don't have a ton of options. I want a couple NDs and GNDs and really anything else I may need, I have a decent backpack that works for me but if I have money left over I wouldn't mind something a bit more comfortable. Thanks for the help.

[jrader]

I have really been inspired to do a lot of landscape shooting this year and instead of putting money into a new body or new lenses I really don't need I am getting some accessories. Right now I have a 055xprob and a 488RC2 in my Amazon cart. I need some help with a filter kit, I really don't know what is best for me right now. I am panning to spend around $500 max so I don't have a ton of options. I want a couple NDs and GNDs and really anything else I may need, I have a decent backpack that works for me but if I have money left over I wouldn't mind something a bit more comfortable. Thanks for the help.

I would invest in a square 3 stop ND (neutral), 4x6" 2 and 3 stop GND (neutral), an appropriate holder for these filters, screw on adapter specific to your lens, and a good (screw on) CPL. If I remember correctly, I spend $200 on my CPL, and <$300 for the rest. I think you may want to invest in a dual spirit level as well. I had one that attached to the hot shoe because I rarely use flash for landscape work.

If you are good at photoshop though, you won't necessarily need the GNDs if you can learn how bracket in-camera and then learn to use layers and masks. That will save you a bit. But you definitely need at least a CPL and a ND of several stops.

Check out hvstar.com and 2filter.com for filter options. I've found much better prices through them than other distributors.

Hope this helps.

John

[irishman]

Are you going to carry that 055 hiking? Might want to rethink that unless you are very big and strong. If it's going to be your main hiking tri, check into the 190 prob. Also, if you use Lightroom 2, it has an awesome new GND filter. Good luck!

[maranelloboy05]

Thanks, just got the 055 and 488 today, I am a pretty big guy and it didn't seem heavy to me, my backpack with 40D, 70-200 and 17-40 feels light so what is another 7 lbs. :D I have a B+W CPL screw-in and I love Lightroom and Photoshop but I'd like to have some real filters. I have roughly $175 left and I can get a Z-Pro Holder, 77mm adapter and 1 GND for $145 from 2filter.com What would be my best bet for getting something that will be used the most, I was thinking about going the middle route with a .6 soft? Thanks for the help.

[timeasterday]

Either a .6 or .9 soft would be good to start. I find the .9 soft to be more useful around here. We have a lot of sunny days and the .6 just isn't enough when the sky is so bright. I am thinking about adding the 1.2 to my collection because of that. If you can afford the Lee foundation kit along with one GND, go that route. I got the Z-Pro but after using it I am thinking the Lee might have been a better choice.

[maranelloboy05]

Either a .6 or .9 soft would be good to start. I find the .9 soft to be more useful around here. We have a lot of sunny days and the .6 just isn't enough when the sky is so bright. I am thinking about adding the 1.2 to my collection because of that. If you can afford the Lee foundation kit along with one GND, go that route. I got the Z-Pro but after using it I am thinking the Lee might have been a better choice.

Thanks I have heard that the Lee is much better, can't quite afford it yet but since its still pretty cold around here I can holder off for a few weeks.

[argyle]

Thanks I have heard that the Lee is much better, can't quite afford it yet but since its still pretty cold around here I can holder off for a few weeks.

The Lee holder is only about $15 more than the Cokin Z-Pro, and a much better design. However, this doesn't mean that you're limited to using only Lee filters. Hitech filters work extremely well, and are about two-thirds the price of a comparable Lee filter. With the money saved if using Hitechs, you can easily add the Lee holder to your setup. Try 2filter.com for these...they offer package deals on filters and holders.

One more thing that no one's mentioned...spend a few bucks on a hotshoe bubble level. Keeping things level at the time of capture will negate the need for cropping afterwards.

EDIT: Ooops...just noticed that jrader already brought this up. No matter...now you have two recommendations for the bubble level. ;)

[maranelloboy05]

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-5411-Double-Bubble-Level/dp/B00005QFAF/ref=pd_cp_p_0?pf_rd_p=413862901&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00009R6J7&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZVEFV1N95TBXWKXR29N

No one has mentioned it but I bought a remote shutter as well, I got the one for the rebel but I am returning it and getting the 40D one. Its about $100 for the Lee holder and adapter on 2filter.com So that leaves enough for one HiTech filter, which one would be the best benefit to me? GND or ND and what strength. Thanks again for the help.

[argyle]

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-5411-Double-Bubble-Level/dp/B00005QFAF/ref=pd_cp_p_0?pf_rd_p=413862901&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00009R6J7&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZVEFV1N95TBXWKXR29N

No one has mentioned it but I bought a remote shutter as well, I got the one for the rebel but I am returning it and getting the 40D one. Its about $100 for the Lee holder and adapter on 2filter.com So that leaves enough for one HiTech filter, which one would be the best benefit to me? GND or ND and what strength. Thanks again for the help.

The strength of the GND will depend on two things...the intensity of the available light and the subject matter (seascape with a flat horizon line, or an uneven horizon line such as you'd find in most landscape images with trees and/or mountains breaking the horizon). For flat horizons, a hard gradient would be the preferred choice. For others, a soft gradient. Without knowing what you intend to shoot, its difficult to recommend one or the other. That being said, if you plan to shoot mainly seascapes, get the 3-stop hard. For others, get the 2-stop soft (or even a 3-stop soft). You can always add one or the other later.

BTW...are you estimating the price of the Lee holder/ring? The holder will generally run about $75, give or take. The wide angle adapter ring is in the $50 range (the standard ring is about $25 or so). Because of your UWA, you'll really need the WA ring (not the standard). Using the standard ring with your UWA will cause vignetting from the holder throughout most of your focal range. A single Hitech filter, Lee holder, and WA adapter ring should add up to about $200, plus or minus.

EDIT: I came across this UK link a few days ago...seems to be excellent prices on Lee holders and adapter rings. Prices stated on the site are in Euros, so just multiply them by the USD conversion rate (about 1.3). It looks like the total price for the Lee holder and wide angle adapter ring add up to 65 Euros...converting it to USD would be about $85 or so (about $45 less than the 2filter.com price). I wish I knew about this site when I bought my gear.

Lee Photo Gear (http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=6&zenid=ad8794e191e92008165650cc0cec5950)

[maranelloboy05]

The strength of the GND will depend on two things...the intensity of the available light and the subject matter (seascape with a flat horizon line, or an uneven horizon line such as you'd find in most landscape images with trees and/or mountains breaking the horizon). For flat horizons, a hard gradient would be the preferred choice. For others, a soft gradient. Without knowing what you intend to shoot, its difficult to recommend one or the other. That being said, if you plan to shoot mainly seascapes, get the 3-stop hard. For others, get the 2-stop soft (or even a 3-stop soft). You can always add one or the other later.

BTW...are you estimating the price of the Lee holder/ring? The holder will generally run about $75, give or take. The wide angle adapter ring is in the $50 range (the standard ring is about $25 or so). Because of your UWA, you'll really need the WA ring (not the standard). Using the standard ring with your UWA will cause vignetting from the holder throughout most of your focal range. A single Hitech filter, Lee holder, and WA adapter ring should add up to about $200, plus or minus.

EDIT: I came across this UK link a few days ago...seems to be excellent prices on Lee holders and adapter rings. Prices stated on the site are in Euros, so just multiply them by the USD conversion rate (about 1.3). It looks like the total price for the Lee holder and wide angle adapter ring add up to 65 Euros...converting it to USD would be about $85 or so (about $45 less than the 2filter.com price). I wish I knew about this site when I bought my gear.

Lee Photo Gear (http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=6&zenid=ad8794e191e92008165650cc0cec5950)

Alright thanks, I wasn't sure if I needed the WA or the Standard so that answers one question. I will probably start off with the 2 or 3 stop soft. I am not going to be shooting so many seascapes mostly will be in the mountains so that answers that question as well. I am going to try and order from that site but not knowing how much shipping is I don't know how much I am going to save. Thanks again its a lot of help.

[jsinon]

Argyle beat me to posting the link to Teamwork;) I found them doing a search for the Hitech filters. I bought the 3 filter set for the Cokin P holder, and even with shipping it was around $20 less than just 2 filters would be from 2filter. It did take about two weeks to get here though. The holder I use is just a $5 ebay special.

[homersapien]

Buy a P sized holder and adapter ring on Ebay: $8 shipped. Buy a 3 stop soft GND, HiTech brand, from 2filter.com. $40 shipped. That's the best, and cheapest, way to get started with GNDs. Forget Lee, HiTech, Cokin holders and adapters unless you have money to burn.

[DANATTHEROCK]

I agree to buy filters from 2filter. Great prices. I have the Hoya DMC circular polarizer and it is my most valuable landscape tool. Along with a good tripod and remote (cable) shutter release. Like $50 at B&H for the 40D. I also got the 3 stop soft Galen Rowell graduated ND filter from Singh Ray. Great stuff. I want the 3 stop hard next. But to be honest, the circular polarizer is my most used. The grad ND comes in very handy at times allowing me to make a darker sky and keep the foreground bright. I prefer soft as I like mountains and such, but for horizons on water, the hard would be good to have.

[chauncey]

As has been mentioned, why would anyone carry and use filters, degrades IQ when LR2 is available.
Bubble level and remote shutter are necessary.

[Lesmac]

As has been mentioned, why would anyone carry and use filters, degrades IQ when LR2 is available.
Bubble level and remote shutter are necessary.

Had to read this twice, just couldn't believe what I was reading?

Most recognised and regarded landscape photographers use filters, mainly grads and CPL.

Good quality filters do not degrade images, wheras trying to blend two images in PS or LR generally does (and often looks a mess), and PS or LR can't put back whats not there (a blown sky for example)

Also, the use of grads to balance exposure, it takes 20 seconds to drop a grad into a filter slot, far less time than messing about blending images.