Trip to CA soon and want to be prepared, need advice

Hi everyone, so I was a look at everything and had a few questions:

1. Can I do an ND circular and then a 100mm NDG in holder? I was looking at the Haida circular because its $30 cheaper then then 100mm

2. I'm trying to find a cheap 100mm holder but it would have to be a wide holder also. Id be using my Sigma 17-50 mostly on the 17 side since im on a crop body and would probably pick up some vinyetting correct? I had trouble finding a 100mm wide holder...

3. what would be a good, inexpensive ND and NDG combo if i went that route? I cant do the Lee BS and an NDG,

Hi guys,

I am nearing my filter decision and still have so many questions as to which direction I should be going in.
While I know everyone would say Lee, and while I would probably agree, I still have been looking at brands like Haida and even Cokin Z but when it comes to buying a 10stop ND plus a Grad ND and holder then I have to plan better overall. So here is what I have come up with so far but I would love it if anything else could be added to the list.
Also, I would ideally like to use 100mm for both but I could get away with a screw in ND plus 100mm Grad ND… but I have a screw in polarizer, however since its Tiffen, I feel id be mixing color casts..
Haida 77mm Slim PROII 75.00 10 stop circular or
Haida ND3.0 1000X Square Optical 95.00


Haida filter holder 78.00
Haida .9 graduated ND 98.00

I'd stick to square filters if you're getting a filter holder anyways, at least for the nd and nd grads. Makes life a lot easier.

a 10 stop filter means you'll need a better tripod to minimize vibrations. use shorter exposure times if you decide to stick with your current tripod. learned this from my experience with a cheaper tripod and a lee big stopper. ended up selling and replacing the tripod with a sirui carbon fiber tripod.

idkdc wrote in post #17529965
I'd stick to square filters if you're getting a filter holder anyways, at least for the nd and nd grads. Makes life a lot easier.

Thanks idkdc, I mentioned the filter holder as an option of something id have to buy if i went the square route. However, Im trying to find the best combination of 100mm and am wondering if I forgot something besides Haida? Would love some suggestions from anyone on a set of 10stop ND and one ND Grad to get me started..

Thank you!

You can use an ND and CPL but it gets pretty expensive. Personally, I don't usually use both together. It's a little bit pricey but if you want to "do it right" and not spend way too much money, this kit is great: http://www.2filter.com …ore/html/produc​t7733.html
It's only half of the ND filters, there is a hard edge and soft edge kit available. It's another $150 to get the other set that doesn't come with this mostly complete kit. I won't scare you off by giving you the link to the CPL for this kit.

As for the tripod, I solved the same problem by purchasing a new one. My Manfrotto doesn't have that problem. There may be another way to make your ball head more sturdy but sorry, I can't help you in that department. Good luck!

For filters, 2filter.com is a great site and has better prices than Amazon, BH or Adorama. The site is a little tough to navigate but it will save you some money. If I was you, I'd pick up a set like the Hitech one I posted and get more filters to fit it. I went with with 4x5 or 125mm filters.

IShoot, thanks for the info! The set doesn't include a ND which I would like first before anything.. I accidently looked at the sev7n set big stopper before reazlizing it was the wrong filter lol.. but yeah was about $3 cheaper then amazon.. On one hand id like the 100mm Haida ND but then need just one ND Grad plus the filter holder... looking at about a $200 budget so not sure which direction to go..

If your budget is $200, look for used Lee Filters or just get one filter from Lee new.

idkdc wrote in post #17538759
If your budget is $200, look for used Lee Filters or just get one filter from Lee new.

Thanks jdkdc! I wonder, with so many people praising the Haida ND 10 stop, that if i was only going wiht one filter, if that wouldnt be the one to get. Seems to have less color cast etc.. granted its not as easy to switch and i would prefer the 100mm but then maybe i could get a basic Haida Grad ND... however, yes, the Lee BS is nice.

I still think at $200 budget the best bang for your buck are screw on filters.

Use and take good care of them while you save for LEE. If they are still in good shape you won't have a problem selling them here for a decent return.

Screw on B+W's not that much cheaper for 10 stops. Substantial amount of what the big stopper costs I should think.

Hi guys,

So I am close to finalizing my purchases for my upcoming trip.. I am thinking

Haida 10 Stop

But for a polarizer I only have Tiffen CPL…

I don’t know how bad it will be to use the CPL first then the Haida on top… I know its not recommended, just don’t know how bad it will be.

If its going to be an issue I can get a Haida CPL..

Q: LIVE VIEW… what can’t I wrap my head around something… I get how it works ,but not complete.. am I still able to verify focus as well as composition or do I always have to remove the filter? Basically the image I see, will I still achieve the same focus if it appears correct?

If you have a 10 stop filter, you should remove it before composing and place it on after you're finished focusing and composing. I'd honestly skip the Tiffen filters, as much as other people (beginners) swear by them. I have a B+W XS Pro CPL, just save up for one of those or get the Hoya at the cost of coating that rubs off over time when cleaning. No sense in putting bad glass in front of your lens. Honestly though, if you shoot at sunrise or sunset, a CPL is not necessary at all. If you decide to shoot at noon, it helps to have one. If you shoot at noon, the 10 stop is better. If you shoot at twilight hour, six stop is better.