Big stopper or not

I am heading to New Zealand next week and have a a few hundred dollars to spend
I have a CPL, 8ND and a 64ND which will go on my 17-40. Of course I can stack the two ND filters to give me 9 stops

Is there are strong argument for a Big Stopper, as I would like to do day time long exposures.

I don't have any GNDs as usually process HDR stuff.
So should I get a a GND set instead?

I have also been thinking of a Nerotrigger (or similar) to allow me to do lightning shots.

What would you consider most important?

The Big Stopper is negligible in weight, I would absolutely take mine if I were going to New Zealand.

What is your hesitation for not wanting to take it?

Simply that the two filter I have is already 9 stops and so could argue that it is a lot of money for an extra stop

If it's a really bright day, sometimes 9 or 10 stops isn't enough to bring your shutter speed down as low as you want. I stack my 2 stop and 3 stop grads on top of the Big Stopper in those situations. I guess it all depends on what you want out of a shot. I really like motion blur and if it's not that windy, I need longer shooting time on bright day to get that.

sounds good - I just ordered it, along with the foundation kit
Thinking of also a GND.
If only one, which would you suggest? Tossing between .6 soft or hard.
Should I stick to Lee or is there an siilar quality but cheaper option?

I am certainly not a filter expert, but I read that hard GNDs work best were there is a defined horizon line, like a seascape. I have the .6 and .9 soft Lee GNDs, which I found on POTN for a fair deal a while ago. The softs work well for me because I am mostly shooting in a hilly / mountainous area. Often the trees or land will be in the darkened area from the filter, but I can typically adjust 1-2 stops in Lightroom on those areas.

For me, the .9 gets more use as I tend to shoot around sunset and there is often 3 stops or more difference between the sky and foreground. I would like a reverse GND so the upper sky doesn't get as darkened...

I've read some reviews of less expensive filters, some sound pretty good, but when I came across the used Lees, I bought them.

Have a great trip, look forward to seeing your photos!

Thanks. There are à couple of shot already on Flickr

cutwater wrote in post #17307935
I am certainly not a filter expert, but I read that hard GNDs work best were there is a defined horizon line, like a seascape. I have the .6 and .9 soft Lee GNDs, which I found on POTN for a fair deal a while ago. The softs work well for me because I am mostly shooting in a hilly / mountainous area. Often the trees or land will be in the darkened area from the filter, but I can typically adjust 1-2 stops in Lightroom on those areas.

For me, the .9 gets more use as I tend to shoot around sunset and there is often 3 stops or more difference between the sky and foreground. I would like a reverse GND so the upper sky doesn't get as darkened...

I've read some reviews of less expensive filters, some sound pretty good, but when I came across the used Lees, I bought them.

Have a great trip, look forward to seeing your photos!

You are correct about hard step GNDs BUT...when you stack hard step GND's to replace a Big Stopper you are covering entire lens and therefore horizon issue does not apply.

I would get a big stopper first and, if you still have some extra money, consider a set of soft GNDs. Be aware that in this digital age, a lot of photographers have gotten away from GNDs and rely mainly on post processing. However, I still carry a set of GNDs with me.