Budget graduated ND (Not grey) filters in the UK?

[Dick Emery]

I've been hunting around and thus far cannot seem to find any cheap(ish) graduated ND filters in the UK. Only the colour tinted grey filters. I just want a 58mm circular type to try.
Or something I can hold in front of the lens would do.

[Bearmann]

I don't think you will be happy with a round graduated filter as the graduation always stays right in the middle. What if you don't want it in the middle? Most people use the square ones, with a holder if desired. Hitech makes good ones for those who don't want to pay for the very best.

[gembobs]

You have a few cheapish options for square filters - hitech from formatt.co.uk, otherwise there is Cokin and Kood - check out 7dayshop.co.uk for their prices, from memory the kood ones are a bit cheaper.

The hitech 85mm size fits in a cokin P size holder, the cokin A size are smaller (no idea what their dimentions are). I believe the cokin Z size are about 100mm.

[Dick Emery]

I don't think you will be happy with a round graduated filter as the graduation always stays right in the middle. What if you don't want it in the middle? Most people use the square ones, with a holder if desired. Hitech makes good ones for those who don't want to pay for the very best.


Isn't that why you move the camera up and down? Also isn't it like a CPL where you can change it for portrait shots?

[Bearmann]

You want to be able to move the filter in relation to the lens. What if the sky takes up the top third of your photo? You want the dividing line of the filter at the top third of your photo too. The filter holders rotate so you can use them vertical, horizontal, or at an angle.

[Dick Emery]

Oh I see. The fixed filter would not allow you to frame it the way you wish. Only where the graduation meets the horizon. Well they do a 3 filter bundle on formatt.co.uk which works out cheaper than buying the Cokin's from 7day. I noticed they sell the screw in adapter for the lenses and filter holders seperately though so additonal costs. All in I can get 3 different density's of 85mm ND filters + plastic adapter and 3 filter holder for under £50. Rather more than I intended to pay to be honest but if I just get the 0.6 filter and handhold it may only be a tempfix and I may end up kicking myself later.

I'll have to give it some thought. The reason I was thinking about this is I am going away to a valley in Germany (Suhl) at the end of August and might be able to do some nice landscapes.

[Bearmann]

The standard Cokin filters are not good quality, but I don't know about their newer, more expensive line. There is nothing wrong with the P-mount filter holder that Cokin makes, however. there could be some vignetting with the P-mount size if you are using ultra wide lenses though. I would get the single slot filter holder if possible-less chance of vignetting. You want a soft transition filter for mountains and a hard transition filter for flat oceanscapes with an straight horizon. You can also use the darker side of the filter by itself if you just need plain neutral density, e.g. shooting waterfalls with blurred water.

[Dick Emery]

Well I cannot afford the Lee etc. I think I will try a single 0.6 filter from formatt.co.uk for now since I don't do much landscape. I'll handhold it over the lens and see how I get on. Anything has to be better than blown skies or underexposed scenery. I can always darken a little with a polariser too if I need an extra stop or 2.

[Bearmann]

Some people get a hard transition filter to hand hold, then they shake it up and down to soften the transition area as needed. Never tried it myself-I always use a holder. If you're hand holding, better to go with one of the larger size filters to give your self some elbow room. Alternatively, you could get the smaller one and tape it to the lens with gaffer tape.