ADDONS: CPL | ND | Grip | Bag - need advices!

[Zephyrize]

Now holiday times is coming and I plan to get myself some add-ons to my gear.
Since I plan to do more landscapes this winter and next year,
A LOT of people recommend me a CPL.

1. Now I'm using an XSI, and often my lens of choice for landscape is the 10-20. What would be a great CPL for this lens?
I'm thinking of the BW 77mm SLIM CPL.. what's the difference between the 'normal' one and the "kaesemann" ?
Might also buy some adaptor ring to fit this CPL on my other smaller diameter lenses.

2. I already own a few GND, but I'm thinking of getting a real ND screw-on filter for long exposure landscape. I read many threads on the B+W 10-stops filter. but CAN'T FIND IT locally.
Where did you get yours?
Does it have really heavy color cast? Is PP inavoidable to remove the colour cast or it can be compensated in camera?
Is it worth the cost?

3. Grip dilemna again... I might go camping and do A LOT of hiking with camera on hand.
When walking a long time with the camera (especially attached to the 70-300 lens), my hand feel tired. Will the grip give me more confortable use?
Does the grip have a tripod screw hole beneath it ?
Between getting a used Canon grip or a new Opteka grip, what would you choose?
And I plan on getting some third party batteries on DealExtreme:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20710

4. For traveling, I realized I was a mistake buying the Lowepro EX180... such a pain to open and to carry (especially when it gets heavy)
So I'm thinking of a 'back pack' but without having to stop and put down the bag in order to get something.
The only solution I've found so far is the Slingshot with its 'ready and carry modes'. I'm not sure if it will fit all my gear though.
Does someone can think of any alternatives, in any brand I don't care.
What it has to contain:
XSI (assume it will be gripped)
sigma 10-20
nifty fifty
70-300 is usm
dustblower
two Cokin GND
future probable CPL + ND filter
spare batteries
remote
and if possible, some place for water bottle and snacks when I'm doing some mountain hiking.

For those who has read this through, I give you a cookie
thanks in advance!!
I rarely do such long posts lol

[argyle]

1.) The Kaesemann style of polarizer has sealed edges to prevent the ingress of moisture, the non-K version doesn't. Most people (misguidedly, IMO) only recommend the K version for real humid environments, but if you plan on shooting in, on, or around water or other wet environments it helps. Not only that, but if you take your gear from a cold to hot environment, or vice versa, the sealing will help. If you buy it from maxsaver, the K version is not that much more over the non-K, about $20 or so IIRC.

Also, you shouldn't need the slim version...the F-Pro version shouldn't vignette (at least it won't on the Canon 10-22. Maybe someone with a 10-20 could confirm that one.

2.) Some claim that in certain conditions, the B+W 10-stop will add a magenta cast to some images. You can avoid it by setting a custom white balance, or remove it in post. I don't have this particular filter...I use a variable ND from Singh-Ray. No color cast, and I only need a single filter as opposed to several ND's. Only 8-stops of ND, but with the polarizer that's incorporated into the filter, I can get the additional stops (somewhere between 9 and 10 overall). If you have a generous family member, skip the B+W ND and Kaesemann polarizer (about $250 combined) and shoot for the Singh-Ray Vari-N-Duo (about $75 or so more than the two B+W's). :) If your 10-20 is a Sigma, the Singh-Ray will work (only available 77mm filter size).

3.) If you do a lot of hiking, the grip will just be added weight. Also, there's the balance issue on ballheads to think about. Personally, I just carry along several extra batteries and change one out when necessary. Not a big fan of grips.

4.) The Slingshot series would let you remove the camera without having to take off the pack, but it has some shortcomings if you're a hiker. No pockets to hold water bottles, no tripod carrier, and an extremely small compartment for other necessary items (snacks, light jacket or fleece, tool kit, filters, etc).

I'd recommend a Lowepro Rover II. Its a fully functional photo backpack with a good harness system, plenty of room for camera gear, two pockets for water bottles (each will hold a 1-qt Nalgene bottle), and a roomy top compartment for the extras. If you don't want to drop the pack to take the camera out, you can always pick up third-party straps that clip onto the shoulder straps...you can hook the camera to these so its always at the ready. The Rover also has a tripod carrier that secures the 'pod vertically along the center to help out with balance.

The Lowepro Fastpack may be an option, and it has the extra storage space and water bottle provision, but I don't think that it has a tripod carrier.

[Zephyrize]

hey thanks for that detailed reply

you say the normal CPL won't vignette, but with a ND stacked on, it would right ?
being someone who never used CPL, for landscape, does it REALLY make a visible difference?

And for the Singh-Ray, you're not the first one that tell me this and I believe you :D but considering photography is just a hobby, I can't justify the cost and the luxury ha

[argyle]

hey thanks for that detailed reply

you say the normal CPL won't vignette, but with a ND stacked on, it would right ?
being someone who never used CPL, for landscape, does it REALLY make a visible difference?

And for the Singh-Ray, you're not the first one that tell me this and I believe you :D but considering photography is just a hobby, I can't justify the cost and the luxury ha

Yes. It will give you the sky effects that most people associate with this filter, as well as cut reflections (or enhance them) from the surface of water and glass surfaces, allow you to 'see' under the surface of water (nice if shooting waterfalls that have submerged rocks in shallow water), and increase the saturation. Looking through the viewfinder, you'll see the effects right away as you dial in the polarizer. You'll get the most polarizing benefit when you're positioned 90-degrees to the sun (i.e. looking through the VF, the sun should be pointed at either of your shoulders). It will also act as an ND filter, giving 1 to 2 stops of reduction (depending on the brand and filter factor).

If you plan on stacking, then yes, vignetting would be a problem. Also, the B+W slim CPL does not have front threads, so you'd have to stack the CPL onto the ND. One of the Hoya slim CPL's has front threads, but I'm not familiar enough with Hoya to know which one...I primarily use B+W.

[retour]

Has anyone used Formatt Grad ND Filters? They are made up of Schott glass too and has a 4 stop one as well

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/394725-REG/Formatt_BF_77_SEND12GHD_77mm_Graduated_Neutral_Den sity.html