Hi folks!
I would like to hear your opinion about gray gradual filters that help to shoot high contrast scenes without histogram cliping. A classic application would be a landscape with too bright sky.
Nowadays they seem to be obsolete in digital photography because you can shoot several exposures and work around high contrasts.
Anyway I would like to hear your opinions about these filters and ask if you use them from time to time.
Many thanks!
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I think they still have an advantage over multi-exposure compositions. There can be moving elements in shot that will result in slightly different images which can't be perfectly aligned, even using high speed continuous shooting.
I got the Cokin system just for these, but I have to admit I rarely use them since it is rather bulky to carry around and it isn't my main type of photography.
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You will need these and normal ND filters when you want to or need to diminish high contrasts/enormous DR in a single shot, in order to use large apertures in bright conditions (for DoF control), and in order to use long shutter times in too bright conditions (f.e., for shooting flowing water in an attempt to make it look like it flows).
So yes, I do use them in those cases, and just like popo I have a Cokin system, actually, the Z-Pro, with a bunch of grad filters etc. I do find that even the standard dense grad and ND filters (1, 2 and 3 stops) are often not enough for the desired effect, not even combined. You may want to think about a 10-stop filter if you can get one <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' />.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
[quote name='wim' date='19 June 2010 - 12:12 PM' timestamp='1276945963' post='606']
You will need these and normal ND filters when you want to or need to diminish high contrasts/enormous DR in a single shot, in order to use large apertures in bright conditions (for DoF control), and in order to use long shutter times in too bright conditions (f.e., for shooting flowing water in an attempt to make it look like it flows).
So yes, I do use them in those cases, and just like popo I have a Cokin system, actually, the Z-Pro, with a bunch of grad filters etc. I do find that even the standard dense grad and ND filters (1, 2 and 3 stops) are often not enough for the desired effect, not even combined. You may want to think about a 10-stop filter if you can get one <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' />.
HTH, kind regards, Wim
[/quote]
I sold my Z-pro grads recently. Hadn't used them for years. I simply bracket landscapes now, taking one a couple of stops below normal, and then blend in the darker one manually. It gives much more control than using a graduated filter. Of course in principle there might be situations in which, because of movement, you want it all in one exposure. But I haven't encountered this except very very rarely; and that kind of photography is not usually one in which you want to set up graduated filters precisely!
Of course a very dark plain ND can be useful for long shutter speeds: better to get a good multicoated glass screw in one, rather than a resin...
So you all use the Cokin system? I have thought about buying it too, but there are many bad opinions about the optical quality of the Cokin filters.
Can you confirm that? Do they really spoil resolution and scratch easily?
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[quote name='Comte' date='19 June 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1276983449' post='618']
So you all use the Cokin system? I have thought about buying it too, but there are many bad opinions about the optical quality of the Cokin filters.
Can you confirm that? Do they really spoil resolution and scratch easily?
[/quote]
The Z-Pros certainly are good filters. I haven't noticed any colour changes etc., and I do know I see small colour differences well enough.
The question regarding resolution is whether you can actually take a decent picture under the circumstances you do need such a filter. I reckon you can't, so any loss of resolution is a moot point. Also, it is in the category of well less than 1 % anyway, so I don't think anybody will see the difference, while the effect it provides is markedly different.
Scratching is another moot point. First of all, these filters come in protective pockets, which do guard against scratches very well indeed. Secondly, a scratch, if you really had one, so close to the optics is not visible at all on the image. Furthermore, since the filter is made from polycarbonate or something similar, it doesn't break easily, which is a good thing (no need to have a special carry case, or to be afraid to drop it). I find I always treat my filters with respect, and in the four or so years I use them I have not seen a single scratch develop yet. And if it does, at least it is an affordable piece of equipment to replace.
Are there better filters out there? Probably yes. However, certainly where I live, other ones than Cokin are much harder to come by, and the other "plastic" brand is at least 50 % more expensive, and a supposedly really better one more than twice or even three times that price. And if you go glass, be prepared to pay as much for a single filter as for a complete good quality lens. IOW, it is more a budget and use thing than something about quality. Do you want to get out the last 0.1 %, go for glass filters, but be prepared to pay, especially for multi-coated ones, if you can find those. Will you see the difference? I doubt it very much. As I said, you will see the effect the filter causes, and that is what it was all about in the first place.
Kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
Very convincing!
Are you a salesperson? If not, you have the gift to be a good one.
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[quote name='Comte' date='20 June 2010 - 01:29 AM' timestamp='1276990142' post='621']
Very convincing!
Are you a salesperson? If not, you have the gift to be a good one.
[/quote]
<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' />
No I am not, actually. And you are the first one to say that. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=' ' />
Kindest regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
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Problem with Cokin is that grey isn't grey. It comes with a magenta cast which is quite visible in the file. I'm talking here about the P-series, never tried Z-series. But I've used Lee filters in the past, and I can tell you they are all another thing, in better. Of course the price is higher too, but if you can just afford it, go for a Lee.
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[quote name='exuvia' date='20 June 2010 - 02:53 PM' timestamp='1277038429' post='626']
Problem with Cokin is that grey isn't grey. It comes with a magenta cast which is quite visible in the file. I'm talking here about the P-series, never tried Z-series. But I've used Lee filters in the past, and I can tell you they are all another thing, in better. Of course the price is higher too, but if you can just afford it, go for a Lee.
[/quote]
As I said, that's not the case with the Z-Pro filters.
Kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....
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