ND filter advice

Just starting to get into landscapes including seascapes and pretty buildings. After researching neutral density filters I am ordering HiTech rectangular resin filters and a holder that will hold up to two of them plus my circular polarizer.
Questions:

1) For landscapes will 3 different graded nd's be enough or will I also need a set of non graded nd's? I am using a Canon 50D with no internal ND's.

2) Am I correct that the soft gradation rather than the hard gradation is a better choice for a start?
Thanks,
Mo

Mo50 said:

Just starting to get into landscapes including seascapes and pretty buildings. After researching neutral density filters I am ordering HiTech rectangular resin filters and a holder that will hold up to two of them plus my circular polarizer.
Questions:

1) For landscapes will 3 different graded nd's be enough or will I also need a set of non graded nd's? I am using a Canon 50D with no internal ND's.

Click to expand...

I assume that you mean graduated rather than graded (often shortened to ND grads). I suggest that you start by getting a 2 stop and a 3 stop soft graduated ND filter.

Normal ND Filters, not graduated, are used in situations where you want to reduce the overall light level. The main use is when you want to get a milky effect in running/falling water and need a slow shutter speed. I suggest that you leave these to later - get used to the ND grads to start with.

Mo Kwart said:

2) Am I correct that the soft gradation rather than the hard gradation is a better choice for a start?

Click to expand...

Yes. Hard are used when you have a sharp horizon, e.g. a seascape.

Mo Kwart said:

Thanks,
Mo

Click to expand...

--
Chris R

I find HDR is a good alternative to ND grads. Of course if things in the scene are moving...
--
Reid Shay
http://www.sawatchpub.com

RS,

I think that there is alot to be done with HDR and I am also starting to play with it.

At the same time I want to get my skills in line out of the lens. Years ago, we had to do almost everything in the camera and on the table top. I would like to develop those skills with landscape.

Chris,

Thanks. I am going to order these. I understand that I can use them together with a polarizer. It should be interesting.

Thanks very much to both of you,
Mo

If you only get one filter get a 2 stop soft edge if two filters a 2 stop soft edge and a 3 stop hard edge will cover 99% of what you need.

Mo50 said:

RS,

I think that there is alot to be done with HDR and I am also starting to play with it.

At the same time I want to get my skills in line out of the lens. Years ago, we had to do almost everything in the camera and on the table top. I would like to develop those skills with landscape.

Click to expand...

Actually, I agree. I started with 35mm some 45 years ago. I did 4x5 for about a decade. I have done a lot of darkroom work. Learning what is behind the process helps no matter what tools you eventually end up using. Have fun.
--
Reid Shay
http://www.sawatchpub.com

It's worth noting that some ND grads are long enough to double up as regular ND filters e.g. Lee. Not sure about hi-tech.

--
Kenny

http://www.kennymuir.com