ND and Polarizing Filters

[SmallFry]

Hi!

I've been looking at filters and polarizers recently. I think I bought my original polarizer on eBay for $10. I'm ready to look for something better. But, at the same time not thrilled about spending $200 on a Singh-Ray. Any thoughts or recommendations? Would something in the $200 range have shockingly better results?

For a ND would you all think a screw on filter beats a hand held card one? Might be more flexibility with a card, but concerned about quality.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

For split nd and graduated, get a card. B&W makes good polarizer. Try to get a multicoated one.

 

[emh]

I have a multi-coated Nikon circular polarizer that I'm very happy with (this one). It's a thin form factor, so works well for wide angles. In addition to good optical performance, Nikon CPs can accommodate a normal lens cap (most thin CPs will not).

As for ND, assuming you are referring to graduated ND, I can't really see how a screw-on filter could be anywhere nearly as useful as the sliding card type since you are forced to frame the image to fit the filter's transition point.

 

[tirediron]

Yes, you will see shockingly better results with a $150 B+W, Rodenstock, Heliopan or Singh-Ray filter compared to a $10.00 POS eBay filter.
If you're using straight ND filters, either the screw-on type or the gel type are fine. If you are looking at graduated NDs then you really need to use the gel-type.

You can either choose Cokin gels ($25 - 35/filter) or Singh-Ray ($125/filter) or Lee, about the same. The only disadvantage to Cokin is that they can produce a slight to moderate red cast when shooting toward the sun. This is easily controlled/eliminated by a large lens hood. I keep an 8x10 piece of matte black craft foam in my bag ($1.25 Wal-mart).

 

[SmallFry]

Thank you all so much for the advice and recommendations. Really appreciate it!

I'm a little confused on the gels. I need to shoot through one of those colored plastic things a well as the graduated ND filter?

 

[tirediron]

Thank you all so much for the advice and recommendations. Really appreciate it!

I'm a little confused on the gels. I need to shoot through one of those colored plastic things a well as the graduated ND filter?

That colored plastic thing is the graduated ND filter.

The Cokin sytem.