 Ken Barrett |
Graduated Neutral Density Filters Hello all, I use a Canon 40D and 5D. I'm ready to purchase some Graduated Neutral Density Filters. Has anyone done research on which brands are better than others? Thanks for your replies. Ken
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Sharon Day |
Ken, I don't know if it would be appropriate for me to mention the brand name or not but I have a set of very inexpensive plastic filters as well as a very expensive ND. The expensive one appears to be plastic as well only maybe a little heavier. I have no doubt it would scratch as easily as the inexpensive ones. I prefer the cheap ones as they don't cost so much to replace. Hope that helps a little.
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
www.singhrayfilters.com If the url does not work, google singh ray filters. They are the cadillac of ND filters. If you don't want to spend that kind of money, think about Cokin.
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
I have the Sing Ray graduated 3-step, soft filter. It makes use of the Cokin mount, but I just hand hold it. I love it. It's $99. Whatever you do, I recommend against a screw-on filter because then you lose control for where your break point is between the graduation and the clear area of the filter.
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Irene Troy |
Under the heading of “for what it is worth” let me throw in some filter philosophy: you are using a great camera – the Canon 5D – it is not cheap; good ‘glass’ (lenses) is not cheap; whatever filter you select is attached (in some manner) to all that expensive glass and camera equipment. Does it make sense to use the cheapest filter you can buy? IMO, you buy the best filter that you can afford and use it judicially. Personally, I try to find glass filters whenever possible. Of-course, high quality plastic can also serve the purpose without unacceptable levels of interference with the quality of your glass. Just something to think about. Irene
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Sharon Day |
Well, since everyone decided to drop names I guess it's ok. Isn't Singh Ray plastic too? Mine sure feels plastic. I have the Daryl Benson reverse ND grad filter. At least the case they come in won't scratch the filter like Cokin filter cases.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Sharon – you got my curiosity going, so I dug out my Singh Ray filters – the two Polarizing filters are glass; the two Graduated ND filters that fit my P-Series filter holders are also glass. Then I checked out what B&H had for Singh Ray and see that they have both glass and hard plastic. I have never had one of their plastic filters so I have no opinion on their quality. However, given that you make some great images, I trust that you would not use something that comprised either the clarity or sharpness of your lenses! Like you, I also do not like Cokin’s regular interchangeable filters because their case so often ends up scratching the filter as it slides in and out. Odd that a company that makes a fairly decent P series cannot make better cases for their regular series. Irene
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Sharon Day |
Thanks, Irene! My Singh Ray feels plastic, but I just don't know for sure. I know it was expensive LOL.
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William Schuette |
The "plastic" Singh-Ray and Lee filters are optical quality scratch resistant polycarbonate resin. This is the same material that lightweight eyeglass lenses are made from. I have had no scratching on my Lee graduated ND filters when using the holder and no optical abberations. Of course, Singh-Ray and to a lesser extent Lee are more expensive but as others have pointed out - you get what you pay for - and when you are putting a filter in front of your lens you should get the best you can afford. Bill
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