Soft or hard grad ND filter set

[Jarvman]

which one do I get?:confused:

 

[Glenn M]

Both. Each better at certain subjects (hard for flat horizons... soft for broken horizons). Each better for certain lenses (hard better for telephoto... soft for wide angle, especially when shooting with small aperture). Personally would start with "partial sets"... the .6 (2-stop) is the most frequently used in either.

 

[Jarvman]

So a soft and hard 2 stop filter? Could I live with using these most of the time? How often do the 1 and 3 come into play?

 

[Glenn M]

Jarv - I have full sets of both, and use very frequently. I would venture a guess that the soft .6 (2-stop) is by far the most often used, followed by the soft .3 (1-stop). Without knowing what type of scenes you mainly shoot, it would be hard to tell you whether the soft or the hard would be your best choice for starting with. If you most frequently shoot flat horizons, personally I'd start with two hard grads... if most of your scenes are of mixed variety (ie: hilly or mountainous), I'd suggest starting off with flats. Generally speaking, the 2-stop filters will serve you "most of the time."

A note on quality: there's quite a large difference in some filter brands. The ever-popular Cokin filters are NOT "neutral" in color, and they're honest about it... I believe they call them "Gradiant Gray" filters, and they do affect colors. I would suggest staying with HiTech or Lee or Singh-Ray filters of this nature... they are indeed "neutral" and are better optically than Cokins (which do make some fine special effects filters). Of course, these brands are also considerably more expensive than Cokins, but in my opinion, well-worth the added expense.

 

[Glenn M]

A further note after re-reading Message #4: Altho' the 1 and 3 stop aren't used as frequently (at least by me) they are also invaluable. Which filter will work best for a given situation is strictly defined by the light conditions and scene. Also... I also frequently use the 1-stop filter "upside down" in tandem with another "right side up." The darker filter might be used to enhance skies... the lighter filter might be used to slightly darken foreground... resulting in a slightly lighter middle ground.

 

[Jarvman]

Honestly don't know what I shoot yet, I've only put 4 rolls of film through the g617 yet. I'm thinking I'll be inclined to shoot a good few seascapes though so hard would probably be the better option. Yeah I'm going for Lee filters but don't know where the best place to buy them from is. Judging by eBay prices they hold their value so I may as well buy some new instead of waiting for the right auction. Cheers for the input Glenn, it's helpful.

 

[Glenn M]

Can't help you much about best place to buy, but... Lee is a UK company. Here in the States they're notoriusly bad for keeping merchants shelves supplied... everytime I need something Lee usually a wait is involved... currently in wait (merchants tell me 4-6 weeks) for a Lee 86mm adapter. But... Lee is the very best system and filters in my opinion, and to me worth the occasional wait.

I would suggest going to the Lee website... they have a merchant listings. Stateside I usually purchase through B&H or Calumet.