GND confusion

Hi all,

I'm trying to get a GND filter system for my 40D + 10-22 / 15-55 setup but am so confused with regards to the amount of information and available gear...

First, I guess I would need an adapter ring and a filter holder... is that correct? - If so, based on the research I've done thus far, it appears that the Cokin 77mm Z-Pro Adapter Ring (0.75mm Pitch Thread) and the Cokin Z-Pro Filter Holder are good choices. Is that correct? Any better/cheaper alternatives that won't cause vignetting at 16mm? (10mm on crop)

Second, with regards to the GND filter itself, where can I get it? I've searched B&H, but all I've come up with are plain round screw-able filters. I'm looking for a square filter to go with the mounting system above. Can someone point me to a site? Also, any recommended grading levels for general landscaping use? What about the gradient levels? - hard vs. soft? Either one better for landscape photography?

Thanks in advance

aridan wrote in post #6085920
Hi all,

I'm trying to get a GND filter system for my 40D + 10-22 / 15-55 setup but am so confused with regards to the amount of information and available gear...

First, I guess I would need an adapter ring and a filter holder... is that correct? - If so, based on the research I've done thus far, it appears that the Cokin 77mm Z-Pro Adapter Ring (0.75mm Pitch Thread) and the Cokin Z-Pro Filter Holder are good choices. Is that correct? Any better/cheaper alternatives that won't cause vignetting at 16mm? (10mm on crop)

Second, with regards to the GND filter itself, where can I get it? I've searched B&H, but all I've come up with are plain round screw-able filters. I'm looking for a square filter to go with the mounting system above. Can someone point me to a site? Also, any recommended grading levels for general landscaping use? What about the gradient levels? - hard vs. soft? Either one better for landscape photography?

Thanks in advance

You want to get the Z-Pro with the 77mm adapter. You can get the P Holder with a 77mm adapter by Cokin but it'll allow you to use one filter at a time, you can't stack them if you want to prevent vignetting. There's a better built filter system, costs more of course, it is made by Lee Filters.

As far as filters, I'd go with .6 and a .9 ND Soft and .6 and .9 ND hard. I'd use a Cokin holder (Z-Pro) and Hitech filters with it. They are cheaper and very good. Looks like you already have a solid ND filter.

All the stuff above you can find at 2filter.com - they have it all at great prices.

Hope this helps.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #6085966
You want to get the Z-Pro with the 77mm adapter. You can get the P Holder with a 77mm adapter by Cokin but it'll allow you to use one filter at a time, you can't stack them if you want to prevent vignetting. There's a better built filter system, costs more of course, it is made by Lee Filters.

As far as filters, I'd go with .6 and a .9 ND Soft and .6 and .9 ND hard. I'd use a Cokin holder (Z-Pro) and Hitech filters with it. They are cheaper and very good. Looks like you already have a solid ND filter.

All the stuff above you can find at 2filter.com - they have it all at great prices.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Pixel!

This is the shopping cart I built over at 2filter.com - do I have the right combo?

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Soft Edge HT1407P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Hard Edge HT1411P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Soft Edge HT1408P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Hard Edge HT1412P $39.71 $39.71


Cokin Z Pro 4 x 4 Camera Filter Holder COK220ZH $57.72 $57.72

Cokin Z series 77mm adapter ring COK77RZ $34.15 $34.15

aridan wrote in post #6086045
Thanks Pixel!

This is the shopping cart I built over at 2filter.com - do I have the right combo?


Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Soft Edge HT1407P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Hard Edge HT1411P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Soft Edge HT1408P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Hard Edge HT1412P $39.71 $39.71

Cokin Z Pro 4 x 4 Camera Filter Holder COK220ZH $57.72 $57.72

Cokin Z series 77mm adapter ring COK77RZ $34.15 $34.15

See if there's more then one type a 77mm adapter when you can. If there's a wide angle type, get that one. If there's only one, then don't worry about it. I would just call them and speak to a person, less chance of making a mistake. The filters look right though. Id still call to make sure I have the right type of filter size for the holder.

pixel_junkie wrote in post #6086115
See if there's more then one type a 77mm adapter when you can. If there's a wide angle type, get that one. If there's only one, then don't worry about it. I would just call them and speak to a person, less chance of making a mistake. The filters look right though. Id still call to make sure I have the right type of filter size for the holder.

Cool, thanks for all your help! much appreciated!

Any time ...

aridan wrote in post #6086045
Thanks Pixel!

This is the shopping cart I built over at 2filter.com - do I have the right combo?

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Soft Edge HT1407P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.6 Hard Edge HT1411P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Soft Edge HT1408P $39.71 $39.71

Hitech 85/P Gradual ND 0.9 Hard Edge HT1412P $39.71 $39.71


Cokin Z Pro 4 x 4 Camera Filter Holder COK220ZH $57.72 $57.72

Cokin Z series 77mm adapter ring COK77RZ $34.15 $34.15

Careful...I don't believe that the 85P filters will fit in the Z-Pro holder. You'll need the P holder (as well as the P-size adapter ring).

Yes there is a wide angle adapter ring and you want the hitech 100 (4X5) filters

I am/was in the same position as you. There're a lot of choices and not a whole lot of info on filters and filter systems. I did get some help here though.

As an aside I was in my local pro photo gear shop this weekend looking for a square filter pouch to hold and protect filters and the salesman there was telling me how they've basically pretty much quit carrying square filters and holders for lack of demand. When I told him what I had and needed and was intending to shoot (landscapes etc) he seemed surprised and was telling me how "old" I was like old in that new photographers are totally unaware of filters and do everything in PS. So I asked him what the pros do and he said they already have their filters and there aren't many people getting into landscape photography. Anyway the whole thing kind of surprised me. It made me feel like I was one of these guys still shooting landscapes with large format cameras or something.

So back to your question. I considered the Cokin holder but went with Lee as it is only $15 more and people seemed to like it better. I got the 77mm wide angle adapter (which is a major ripoff BTW). I got a Hitech 4x5 .9 GND hard edge for use at the Grand Canyon this weekend. I would like some more GND but not sure what just yet. After testing the system out this last weekend the .9 didn't actually seem enough for sunset shots. Maybe a 1.2 would be better or some stacking.

I got all my stuff at Filter Connection at 2filter.com . They have a good selection and comparable prices to Adorama and B&H. Their site is a little hard to navigate and find stuff but I've used them before and they have good service.

Hope that helps.

One question for Lee holder owners. When I got mine I unscrewed the retainer clips to take the ones off I don't need, but about half of the screws would not screw all the way through the nuts so would not tighten down on one set of clips or two for that matter. Anyone experience this?

cool, thanks for the info guys, much appreciated!

gooble wrote in post #6089505
I am/was in the same position as you. There're a lot of choices and not a whole lot of info on filters and filter systems. I did get some help here though.

As an aside I was in my local pro photo gear shop this weekend looking for a square filter pouch to hold and protect filters and the salesman there was telling me how they've basically pretty much quit carrying square filters and holders for lack of demand. When I told him what I had and needed and was intending to shoot (landscapes etc) he seemed surprised and was telling me how "old" I was like old in that new photographers are totally unaware of filters and do everything in PS. So I asked him what the pros do and he said they already have their filters and there aren't many people getting into landscape photography. Anyway the whole thing kind of surprised me. It made me feel like I was one of these guys still shooting landscapes with large format cameras or something.

So back to your question. I considered the Cokin holder but went with Lee as it is only $15 more and people seemed to like it better. I got the 77mm wide angle adapter (which is a major ripoff BTW). I got a Hitech 4x5 .9 GND hard edge for use at the Grand Canyon this weekend. I would like some more GND but not sure what just yet. After testing the system out this last weekend the .9 didn't actually seem enough for sunset shots. Maybe a 1.2 would be better or some stacking.

I got all my stuff at Filter Connection at 2filter.com . They have a good selection and comparable prices to Adorama and B&H. Their site is a little hard to navigate and find stuff but I've used them before and they have good service.

Hope that helps.

One question for Lee holder owners. When I got mine I unscrewed the retainer clips to take the ones off I don't need, but about half of the screws would not screw all the way through the nuts so would not tighten down on one set of clips or two for that matter. Anyone experience this?

Yea mine didnt screw all the way down when I took one of the slots out either, I replaced that one and the new one was a little better but kind of the same thing, you just have to force them in haha...I figure no vignetting with two slots - Ill never add the third slot back on so yeah my screws are ALL the way in for good haha