Top 5 "have to have" Graduated square filters

[astroNikon]

...
You probably don't want or need the "color" filters. There's a "coral stripe" that Lee makes which is clear except for an orange stripe in the center. It can be used to intensify sunset images and can be used with an ND grade. This lets you dim the sky, leave the land below "clear", but put the "stripe" right on the horizon line where the sun is the most intense.

Thanks Tim. I was looking at Adorama and saw all these colors filters and thought WTH !!
I haven't ventured into anything but grey NDs and CPLs at this point.

 

[D-B-J]

Invest in Lee, if you're going to. Sure it's expensive, but it's also the most versatile.


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[astroNikon]

Invest in Lee, if you're going to. Sure it's expensive, but it's also the most versatile.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but the cost is a stranglehold for a hobbyist.
I'm adding up the total investment cost and will decide from there ... maybe Gary has a good deal coming up ?

 

[D-B-J]

Invest in Lee, if you're going to. Sure it's expensive, but it's also the most versatile.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but the cost is a stranglehold for a hobbyist.
I'm adding up the total investment cost and will decide from there ... maybe Gary has a good deal coming up ?

Hopefully so!

And you're right. Ever tried to get them used? I've heard of some having good luck that way.


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[jsecordphoto]

Not sure what camera body you're using, but I find the dynamic range of cameras now makes a lot of GND filters unnecessary. A 3 stop soft is nice, but anything less than that I don't even need. Expose for the highlights and pull the shadows and foreground out a few stops if needed

 

[astroNikon]

Invest in Lee, if you're going to. Sure it's expensive, but it's also the most versatile.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but the cost is a stranglehold for a hobbyist.
I'm adding up the total investment cost and will decide from there ... maybe Gary has a good deal coming up ?

Hopefully so!

And you're right. Ever tried to get them used? I've heard of some having good luck that way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup, I'm going to check all my options as most of my equipment is used.
New from Adorama, etc
used from eBay
maybe some dude on TPF called Jake will sell all his stuff for pennies on the dollar to me It's getting close to time for him to upgrade anyways

 

[astroNikon]

Not sure what camera body you're using, but I find the dynamic range of cameras now makes a lot of GND filters unnecessary. A 3 stop soft is nice, but anything less than that I don't even need. Expose for the highlights and pull the shadows and foreground out a few stops if needed

Nikon d600

I am getting better at LR and some PSE

 

[D-B-J]

Invest in Lee, if you're going to. Sure it's expensive, but it's also the most versatile.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah but the cost is a stranglehold for a hobbyist.
I'm adding up the total investment cost and will decide from there ... maybe Gary has a good deal coming up ?

Hopefully so!

And you're right. Ever tried to get them used? I've heard of some having good luck that way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yup, I'm going to check all my options as most of my equipment is used.
New from Adorama, etc
used from eBay
maybe some dude on TPF called Jake will sell all his stuff for pennies on the dollar to me It's getting close to time for him to upgrade anyways

Haha never!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[petrochemist]

I stack all my ND and CPL to take photos of the Sun.

I hope you're not using an optical view finder then! Normal ND filters & CPLs have limited effect at IR wavelengths where the sun puts out lots of energy. Using live-view you'll only damage your sensor, but magnified images through a OVF can seriously damage your eyes.

Welding glass blocks UV & IR to at least the same extent as visible light, is very cheap (a few bucks), & even fit Cokin P holders. The optical quality isn't as good as photographic filters but all the ones I've had have been adequate. Shade 13 or higher is recomended for the sun.

 

[KmH]

+1 on Lee filters in lieu of Cokin filters, and I have used both.

 

[table1349]

Ive got about £350 worth of Lee filter system with the big hood but never use it now

I'll send you my post office box number and will see that they get good use.