Double-stacking CPL and ND Filters ???

I looked the index menu over and this question didn't really seem to fit anywhere, so here it is.

Before, if I was outdoors, a CPL was always on my lens and I liked what it did for my photos.

However, a majority of my picture-taking is usually underneath the super-bright noonday sun; and, even with the CPL, I was still getting a lot of blown-out skies.

I got myself a gradient ND filter and it hasn't been off the camera since, indoors or out; it performs the same kill-the-brightness task indoors as it does outdoors.

I got to thinking that maybe I could have the best of both, ND and CPL.

Have any of you double-stacked a CPL filter and a gradient ND filter ?

If so, which is best to be closest to the lens ?

I am fixing to make some experimental shots and see how it works out, but would like to hear/read other's experiences with this.

It is very common to stack ND and CPL for effect. Put the ND closest to the lens. Keep the CPL accessible so that you can rotate it to get the effect as the angle it is relative to the light source matters.

I find it super odd you use a gradient ND indoors. But, hey, whatever floats your boat.

If you're over-exposing with a CPL, or without a CPL, it's due to the same cause. The filter has nothing to do with it.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18881473
It is very common to stack ND and CPL for effect. Put the ND closest to the lens.

Thanks; I am anxious to get outside and check this out --- if it will ever quit raining.

I have never even thought of doing this. I just tried it and it works although things get pretty dark.

But why would you use an ND indoors (unless at a laser show)?

In some of my wider lenses stacking filters caused some darkening effects in the corners. You might want to test carefully.

ECC233 wrote in post #18882168
But why would you use an ND indoors (unless at a laser show)?

The key word is "Gradient" ND filter, as in grey at the top gradually fading to nothing about midway.

Believe it or not, my indoors photos, often in homes with all sorts of weird lighting, actually improved when at first I simply did not think to remove the filter; at least for me, this works with speedlite flash or no flash.

My gradient ND filter is ZOMEI super-thin; I cannot recall the model.

Sometimes things work for me simply because I don't know any better.

drmaxx wrote in post #18882234
In some of my wider lenses stacking filters caused some darkening effects in the corners. You might want to test carefully.

I have the same thing when the rim of even a single filter is too thick; hence is why I try to opt for the super-thin varieties.

My widest lens is 18mm; though, I would like to have something wider for landscapes.

MalVeauX wrote in post #18881473
It is very common to stack ND and CPL for effect. Put the ND closest to the lens. Keep the CPL accessible so that you can rotate it

I have been playing around with the ND / CPL stack and have been pondering on ways to rotate the CPL without also rotating the ND.

I keep a hood on my lens at all times; I am sure the hood helps in controlling glare and stray light flares; but, I keep the hood on mostly to act as a defense against the lens hitting something.

Although I do have some of the thread-on type hoods, both plain rubber and rigid plastic tulip, the hood that is on there 99% of the time is the bayonet-style tulip that came with the lens.

Always before, I have removed the hood to rotate the filter; I have just figured out that I can leave the hood on and still rotate the filter with my fingertip on the rim; however, when I try to rotate the CPL, the ND also rotates.

Seeing as how I orient the ND parallel with a level plane and leave it there (I even have straight-up marked), I have decided that if I could devise a means of stopping it from rotating; then I could leave the hood on and be able to rotate the CPL without worrying about the ND moving.

I am open to suggestions.

I am quite mechanical and my first thoughts are always of some mechanical solution; however, I am thinking maybe three drops of Cyanoacrylite at three equidistant points.

BuckSkin wrote in post #18888802
I keep a hood on my lens at all times; I am sure the hood helps in controlling glare and stray light flares; but, I keep the hood on mostly to act as a defense against the lens hitting something.

I also use the hood to prevent the front element of the lens from getting banged up. However, if I have a filter on then I am much less worried and especially with a CPL I just don't use the lens hood. Not worth the hassle. If I need to control light flares then I use my (or somebody else) hand or hat to put shadow on the lens.
P.S.: https://www.lensrental​s.com …ens-protection-revisited/

Try a rubber band around the GND to provide just enough friction to keep it in place.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18888880
Try a rubber band around the GND to provide just enough friction to keep it in place.

That is an excellent suggestion. Thanks.