Square Filters for Landscape

[nex100]

Hi Guys,

I was taking landscape shots this weekend and it dawn on me that while I need to use those square (e.g. cokin or lee filters) grad nd filters for taking landscape shots where the sky is much brighter than the foreground, I might not be able to compose very accurately with them using a rangefinder.

Problem is with a rangefinder you do not look through the lens and thus it is difficult to see if you have position the filters correctly with respect to the horizon.

Anyone has any experience using square grad nd filters to take landscape shots? Is there any technique or we just guess and hope for the best?

 

[Davidnikon]

i'm "still" using those filter on my xpan, i just take the center horizon line as a guide, i did an experiment of using a piece of sticker to draw a center line and stick on front of the view finder, and i mark the center line on the holder and filter itself. only thing i can do is take the approx viewing from VF and adjust the filter accordingly

so far there is no 100% accurate way, even LEE filter RF75 only comes with the guide line on the holder to helps for adjustment

 

[nex100]

Which holder are you using? will the square filter block the RF window?

I understand that only Lee's RF75 does not block RF window.

 

[Davidnikon]

i'm using Cokin P, yes it does block, usually i'll compose 1st before i slot in the holder