ND filters for landscapes?

[James_EG]

I know there's loads of posts and reviews online but after reading a fair amount of them I just end up more confused! Some people say one filter is good, others say it's awful, so I need some advice from people who use these types of filters a lot. I'm looking for a set of 2 or 3 ND grad filters and a 10 stop filter for now for landscapes and seascapes as it's something I've wanted to try for a long time but never got round to it.

I have two cameras I'd like to use the filters on, a Nikon FM2n film camera with 24mm lens (52mm filter thread) and my Canon EOS 60D. I don't have a wide angle lens for the Canon yet but I'm in the process of trying to get a Tokina 11-16mm (77mm filter thread). Unfortunately I don't have a very high budget, probably around the £150-£200 range, but I would obviously also prefer as little colour cast as possible. This is particularly important if I shoot any colour film with these filters. I'd just like suggestions for the most preferred brands.

I hope you can help!

 

[tirediron]

Lee and Singh-Ray are the most preferred (best) brands, however for your budget, you'll get one or at the most two filters for your sted budget. Cokin is probably the best compormise of quality & value. If you get the 'P' size, they'll cover all of your lenses. They can produce a slight red colour-cast when pointing at/toward the sun, however for the most part this is minimal if you keep the filter shaded from the sun.

 

[xzyragon]

I use a screw on 9-stop ND filter for some landscapes and most waterscapes. @D-B-J has TONS of experience with the Lee filter system, and has produced some awesome work with ND's and grad ND's with regards to landscapes.

I picked up my 9-stop B&W single coated filter for ~$100. You could get a MRC one for $130 or so I believe. But I'm looking at moving over to a Lee type system just for the diversity, and because you can use your expensive filters on lenses with multiple filter sizes.

 

[James_EG]

Thanks for the help, I'll have a look at the Cokin filters, I would love to get a set of lee filters, but they're so expensive! I'll also look at B&W about that 9 stop filter. I don't think I'll be in the position where the lens and filter is pointed towards the sun very much so that shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[D-B-J]

I use a screw on 9-stop ND filter for some landscapes and most waterscapes. @D-B-J has TONS of experience with the Lee filter system, and has produced some awesome work with ND's and grad ND's with regards to landscapes.

I picked up my 9-stop B&W single coated filter for ~$100. You could get a MRC one for $130 or so I believe. But I'm looking at moving over to a Lee type system just for the diversity, and because you can use your expensive filters on lenses with multiple filter sizes.

With the budget the OP has, it seems the Cokin P system would be the best bet. If you were to buy Lee, it'd cost closer to $600 or so (so what's that, 450£?). Your best bet is to buy a set of three soft edged GND's. If you plan to use them mostly during sunsets, get a 6 stop ND, as a ten stop is really only useful in full sunlight (midday).

Jake

 

[James_EG]

Thanks, yeah a lee system would be £410, too much for me right now. I think I probably would want to shoot in daylight a bit but also sunrise/sunsets, would something like an 8 stop be a good compromise? Also one thing I noticed about the Cokin P system, on their website I saw that it's recommended for lenses 28mm and up on 35mm full frame, would there be a problem on my 24mm lens?

 

[D-B-J]

Thanks, yeah a lee system would be £410, too much for me right now. I think I probably would want to shoot in daylight a bit but also sunrise/sunsets, would something like an 8 stop be a good compromise?

Still too much. With my GND's, f 18-22, and ISO of 50-160, I typically end up with a 1" exposure. A six stop puts you to 1 minute while an 8 or 10 puts you at 4 and 16 minutes respectively, which is way too long.

 

[D-B-J]

And if you're shooting on a crop (like the 60D), you're 24 mil acts as a 38.4 mil lens, due to the crop factor (1.6x). So you'll be fine. [emoji106]

 

[Ido]

I have a Tiffen ND 3.0 (10-stop) in 52mm diameter. Color cast is quite awful, I definitely regret buying it. It was cheap by 10-stop ND filter standards (under $40), so that's to be expected, I guess.

I've heard wonderful things about the Camdiox 10-stop ND.

Another viable option is Formatt Hitech. I don't have any experience with their filters, but they look top-notch for a pretty good value. Here's a nice set: 67mm ProStop IRND Long Exposure Kit - Joel Tjintjelaar Signature Edition
In 77mm diameter it ends up at £279.99, so it may not be the best option for you, but it is something to consider.
They also offer a set of three square filters that, when stacked, give up to 9 stops, but I suspect quality isn't great when stacking three resin filters: 67x85mm (2.67x3.35") Resin Standard Neutral Density Pro kit of 3 filters. The 67x85mm filters are intended for smaller lenses; I think the 100x100mm filters are best-suited for lenses with a 77mm filter thread.

 

[James_EG]

Thanks again for the replies, I have had a look at Formatt Hitech filters but couldn't really find many reviews, so they might be worth another look. Also I probably should have been more specific, the 24mm lens is for my Nikon FM2n film camera, so in full frame would 4mm wider give vignetting with that filter?

 

[snerd]

Op, you won't go wrong listening to Jake. He knows his stuff. I believe he also has an article on landscape shooting here somewhere.

 

[whomovedmyblender]

No love for srb-photographics gnd? I personally use them for location portraits and find they do the job perfectly. Slight colour cast is easily removed via LR or PS.

I do have a few Lee filters, those things are amazing yet very pricey.

 

[astroNikon]

THe cheap NDs though will give a bad color cast. Removeable, but then it looks like there's a spot on the photo where clarity color and contrast have been lost.

Cheap NDs are okay for maybe a 1 or 2 stop but after that you want a good ND filter.

you would want ot go with one size, a 77 and use a stepup ring from 52 to 77

The problem is at 77 you are paying alot more for a size filter than normal.
I recommend you look at B+W single coating ND filters. That is your cheapest but still high quality solution for ND filters.

Adorama.com also makes a $4.95 stepup ring that is good quality.

I have B+W screw-on in 77mm
CPL
1 stop / ND2 / 0.3
2 stop / ND4 / 0.6
3 stop / ND8 / 0.9
6 stop / ND64 / 1.8
10 stop/ ND1025 / 3.0

I've even stacked them *all* to get a photo of the Sun and it worked out fantastic too.
stacking cheap filters causes alot of problems but the B+Ws were no problem.

 

[Scatterbrained]

Thanks, yeah a lee system would be £410, too much for me right now. I think I probably would want to shoot in daylight a bit but also sunrise/sunsets, would something like an 8 stop be a good compromise? Also one thing I noticed about the Cokin P system, on their website I saw that it's recommended for lenses 28mm and up on 35mm full frame, would there be a problem on my 24mm lens?

With the P system on a full frame camera you'll get vignetting from the holder below 30ish mm. You can get around this by holding the filter up to the lens by hand. This technique works fine for GND filters, where you are trying to balance the exposure rather than extend it. It will introduce rather obvious issues for longer exposures though.

 

[Gary A.]

I just purchased the filter holder, lens adapter, extra slots and a a 105mm polarizer adapter ring all for $85 from The Filter Dude. All he sells is the hardware no filters. Works great with Lee filters. Then over time and budget I'll add the filters. I purchased a couple grad Lee filters and a Little Stopper (no color cast) just to start. I also found some LNIB Lee filters in Craig's List for under $100.