another boring thread; ND filters?

timputtick · Mar 23, 2012

Hello,
I'm looking to buy a new ND filter, after buying a cheap set off eBay. Very bad quality! which gave out magenta tints to the images. Is anyone aware of a fairly cheap but good quality filter, or maybe a filter holder that has interchangeable filters. I'm from UK so some makes probably aren't available across countries. I'm looking for a 10 stop filter?
Any help appreciated,
Thanks!

Gaerek · Mar 23, 2012

For most things photography related, price is an excellent indicator of quality. This has benefits and it has drawbacks. The benefits are that you can be reasonably sure of the quality of something you bought, just by looking at the price and comparing it to other similar products (this isn't a hard and fast rule, but works as a great guideline). Unfortunately, you've found the drawback. High quality and inexpensive do not go together very often, especially with regards to filters. A good quality filter will require you to put out some coin.

WesternGuy · Mar 23, 2012

Being from the UK, you might want to look at Lee filters - LEE Filters - Masters of light - I have them and they work quite well. They are a little pricey, but, when it comes to filters, you get what you pay for - you can have them cheap or you can have them with high quality, I have yet to find both in one package. I also have a CPL filter and some NDs from Hoya that also work quite well - again, not cheap - well I guess it depends what you call "cheap", but if you want a good quality ND filter that won't give you a colour cast, then be prepared to put out a few £s.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

tirediron · Mar 23, 2012

You may find that you reduce or eliminate the magenta colour cast in many cases by shading the filter. You will probably find that the cast is strongest when shooting toward/near the sun. I use a piece of thin, matte-black craft foam in A4 size to make a customizable lens hood.

timputtick · Mar 24, 2012

I originally bought a cheap set of three filters from Ebay for £10, obviously I didn't know much about filters and thought 'A filters, a filter'. The 4 stop filter is usable but the 8 stop or stacking them gives a very harsh tint. I'm looking for a 10 stop around £30? If that's even possible, another cheap piece of equipment is this filter holder from amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Fil...HRWQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332545685&sr=8-5, Surely a filter holder is a filter holder? and the filter you put on it is what matters, i guess the filters would be cheaper without having to buy the mount for the lens.
Thanks for all your help.