Gradual ND filter recommendation

[ahsosl1e8]

using an fz30, and thinking of experimenting the use of gradual ND filters on landscape shots. I have an olympus wcon07 attatched as well.

My qn: if i'm not wrong, gradual NDs come in 2 forms, 1 is the screw on and the other a rectangular piece of glass. Which one is recommended? For the latter, does it come in different sizes (coz my wcon is big and w/o thread). Would i have to hold it in front of the lens when taking pics?

Another concern is the price. How much do they cost?

 

[raptor84]

Just to clarify ND = Neutral deinsety means that its the same density thoughout the entire glass and GD = gradual density where its more dense either at the edges or at the top hance the name.

I belive those square filtes will come with adapters so you can just slot it in front of the lens. As for screw on types you must make sure its the same thread size...

 

[solarii]

Hmmm actually the thread starter is right .... they're normally called ND grads.... but gradual ND's acceptable....and so is gradual density. All depends on what you wanna call it.

If yr cam doesn't have a filter thread for filters, you can get a filter holder from cokin that screws onto the tripod mount....its meant for compact cams. I believe they use cokin A filters.

Price? I'm not familiar with the A series.... normally look at the P series.

Yes you can hold it in front of the lens.... but its quite hard even if your camera is tripod mounted. Not recommended unless you're desperate.

 

[ahsosl1e8]

aiyah heck about the term used lah... so long as people understand wad i'm refering to. :bsmilie:

My wcon07 has no lens thread in front, and its diameter is very big. May cost a bomb to get one big rect piece of ND grad to hand-hold.

One solution is to get those screw on types, and put it between the lens and the wcon. Shouldn't have much vigetting unless the filter's damn thick. But one problem... i would not be able to adjust the centre line if using the screw on filter. Would that be a very significant disadvantage?

 

[ExplorerZ]

aiyah heck about the term used lah... so long as people understand wad i'm refering to. :bsmilie:

My wcon07 has no lens thread in front, and its diameter is very big. May cost a bomb to get one big rect piece of ND grad to hand-hold.

One solution is to get those screw on types, and put it between the lens and the wcon. Shouldn't have much vigetting unless the filter's damn thick. But one problem... i would not be able to adjust the centre line if using the screw on filter. Would that be a very significant disadvantage?

if you are looking for cheap alt of cokin screw series, maybe can take a look at tianya. tho the filter are made of plastic but good enough for most use. best of all the price is really good :thumbsup:, about $10 for each piece and $16-20 for the adapter + ring(different thread size use different size ring). can try looking under mass order section.

 

[whoswho]

using an fz30, and thinking of experimenting the use of gradual ND filters on landscape shots. I have an olympus wcon07 attatched as well.

My qn: if i'm not wrong, gradual NDs come in 2 forms, 1 is the screw on and the other a rectangular piece of glass. Which one is recommended? For the latter, does it come in different sizes (coz my wcon is big and w/o thread). Would i have to hold it in front of the lens when taking pics?

Another concern is the price. How much do they cost?

Hi fellow FZ30er,

My input will be this:

1. Screw-ons will be a no no. Gradual NDs held by a filter holder will be much better because you can move and adjust the transition point of the filter against the landscape. Screw-ons can't do that
2. I use WCON08 (big and also w/o thread) and I don't use Gradual ND on it at all.
3. "A" Series Cokin holder (for 55mm thread) will probably cost about 20 or less. The rectangular Gradual NDs will be about 24 a piece. You might want to get a few with different stops in exposure. You can get them all at CP. And also, you will have to decide the hard or soft types of transitions.