Reading mode: Light Dark

ND-grad on dp

Go to last post
P

PrebenR

Veteran Member
Messages
4,164
Solutions
1
Reaction score
1,012
Have anybody tried a ND-grad filter (circular) on a dp camera? Will it work or is the ND grad covering too little of the lens?

I don't have a grad filter to test with, but if somebody here has, would be interesing to see how it work. I guess one solution could be to use a stepdown ring and get a smaller filter, but...
 
Hi Preben

I haven't had any success with a grad on my DP's.

The grad area on the filter is too gradual & it is too hard to see exactly where the grad is because the camera keeps making up for the light on the LED.

ΣigmaTog
 
SigmaTog said:
Hi Preben

I haven't had any success with a grad on my DP's.

The grad area on the filter is too gradual & it is too hard to see exactly where the grad is because the camera keeps making up for the light on the LED.

ΣigmaTog
Click to expand...
dp Merrill?
 
SigmaTog said:
No, but I can't think why it would be any different ?

ΣigmaTog
Click to expand...
Because in quattro you can set the LCD to not compensate in manual mode.
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
 
Yes, I had a filter holder that fit the hood on my original dp1. Unfortunately I don't recall if I ever used it. It held square filters that can be shifted and rotated. Circular grads are very restrictive.

Mike
 
In order to use a nd grad on these cameras you would not look at the result from the screen but pull the nd grad down while looking at the camera lens from the front. You have to pull the nd quite far down. I am talking adjustable square ones. Although I have not used an nd gradual on a merrill yet as I just bought one, this technique would work for you. You can see the reflection in the lens of what picture you are taking from the front which helps with the adjustment.
 
Digital GND's work very well. I don't like to put extra glass in front of the lens if I don't have to. I know photoshop has a GND filter but as I remember, it is somewhat "cumbersome". NIK has a good one in its filter set. You can set individual amounts off top and bottom, set a break line and set a "blend" or feathering number.
 
rick decker said:
Digital GND's work very well. I don't like to put extra glass in front of the lens if I don't have to. I know photoshop has a GND filter but as I remember, it is somewhat "cumbersome". NIK has a good one in its filter set. You can set individual amounts off top and bottom, set a break line and set a "blend" or feathering number.

--
It's a tough job living in Hawaii but somebody's got to do it.
http://www.rickdecker.photography
http://www.silveroaksranch.com
http://www.pbase.com/rickdecker
Click to expand...
Digital GND doesn't improve the DR though. I mean recovering too far blown highlights. For that you need to bracket. Looking at recent Sony/Nikon sensors you can do a lot with them (as they are Bayer sensors), but I don't like the look if the photos. Looks fake like bad HDR. See tulip and horse photo in the Sony 7 II preview.

As to putting glas in front of a lens, I don't worry about that. I don't see the point of putting glass to protect the lens, but for effects, why not.

That a bit of glas could in theory make some degradation of the IQ is based mostly on old or cheap filters. Just see how you do not notice any specs of dust on the front lens in your photos.

I'm more concerned with how software deteriorates image quality.

I think I'll look into Cokins S series or similar.

Thanks all!
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
 
Last edited:
Not sure if things have changed but Cokin NDs use to have sigificant brown tint and most comments I've seen advised against them There are a myriad of choices available from China but I don't know anything about the quality. With Lee you can't go wrong but they aren't cheap.

Mike
PrebenR said:
PrebenR said:
Digital GND's work very well. I don't like to put extra glass in front of the lens if I don't have to. I know photoshop has a GND filter but as I remember, it is somewhat "cumbersome". NIK has a good one in its filter set. You can set individual amounts off top and bottom, set a break line and set a "blend" or feathering number.

--
It's a tough job living in Hawaii but somebody's got to do it.
http://www.rickdecker.photography
http://www.silveroaksranch.com
http://www.pbase.com/rickdecker
Click to expand...
Digital GND doesn't improve the DR though. I mean recovering too far blown highlights. For that you need to bracket. Looking at recent Sony/Nikon sensors you can do a lot with them (as they are Bayer sensors), but I don't like the look if the photos. Looks fake like bad HDR. See tulip and horse photo in the Sony 7 II preview.

As to putting glas in front of a lens, I don't worry about that. I don't see the point of putting glass to protect the lens, but for effects, why not.

That a bit of glas could in theory make some degradation of the IQ is based mostly on old or cheap filters. Just see how you do not notice any specs of dust on the front lens in your photos.

I'm more concerned with how software deteriorates image quality.

I think I'll look into Cokins S series or similar.

Thanks all!
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

I have nothing in the way of circular graduated neutral density filters for either the DP Merrills or Quattro.

I do use the 100mm x150mm Lee ND grad filters/holder.

Yes they are a little expensive and i did have a bit of a lump in my throat when buying them but i must say that they have been extremely good filters.

The optical quality from the Lee system is superb and pretty neutral IMHO.

I bought a 49mm Lee adaptor ring for the DP Merrill series camera and a 58mm adaptor ring for the Quattro camera in conjunction with the 100mm x 150mm filter system.

Sorry i can't really give any advice regarding the circular filters but i must agree with other comments regarding how flexible the square filter system is and extremely easy to use.

Kind regards Lea.
 
docmaas said:
Not sure if things have changed but Cokin NDs use to have sigificant brown tint and most comments I've seen advised against them There are a myriad of choices available from China but I don't know anything about the quality. With Lee you can't go wrong but they aren't cheap.

Mike
Click to expand...
I see, but I guess it can always be fixed in post if a problem. Cheaper to test Cokin than Lee if one find out it doesn't work.
 
L Tippett said:
Hi,

I have nothing in the way of circular graduated neutral density filters for either the DP Merrills or Quattro.

I do use the 100mm x150mm Lee ND grad filters/holder.

Yes they are a little expensive and i did have a bit of a lump in my throat when buying them but i must say that they have been extremely good filters.

The optical quality from the Lee system is superb and pretty neutral IMHO.

I bought a 49mm Lee adaptor ring for the DP Merrill series camera and a 58mm adaptor ring for the Quattro camera in conjunction with the 100mm x 150mm filter system.

Sorry i can't really give any advice regarding the circular filters but i must agree with other comments regarding how flexible the square filter system is and extremely easy to use.

Kind regards Lea.
Click to expand...
On the quattro is it easy to use the Lee filters? My only concern is the size of the filters. Nobody that has thought of a smaller system for MILC type of cameras?
 
PrebenR said:
L Tippett said:
Hi,

I have nothing in the way of circular graduated neutral density filters for either the DP Merrills or Quattro.

I do use the 100mm x150mm Lee ND grad filters/holder.

Yes they are a little expensive and i did have a bit of a lump in my throat when buying them but i must say that they have been extremely good filters.

The optical quality from the Lee system is superb and pretty neutral IMHO.

I bought a 49mm Lee adaptor ring for the DP Merrill series camera and a 58mm adaptor ring for the Quattro camera in conjunction with the 100mm x 150mm filter system.

Sorry i can't really give any advice regarding the circular filters but i must agree with other comments regarding how flexible the square filter system is and extremely easy to use.

Kind regards Lea.
Click to expand...
On the quattro is it easy to use the Lee filters? My only concern is the size of the filters. Nobody that has thought of a smaller system for MILC type of cameras?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks. I'll get that system. What would you guys recommend for grad filter? Hard or soft? 0.6 or 0.9?
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
 
PrebenR said:
Thanks. I'll get that system. What would you guys recommend for grad filter? Hard or soft? 0.6 or 0.9?
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
Click to expand...
Hi PrebenR,

Yes i was going to suggest the Seven 5 System which is more suited in size to the DP series cameras.

Here's a link to the Lee Filters website where things are explained a little more in detail.


I have the 150x100mm system because i use this with the SD1 Merrill and i don't really want the expense of buying a second system for the DP cameras.

As for deciding on which filters to buy well thats a difficult decision and in my experience this depends on what kind of subjects you photograph.

I love the hard grads if there is little in the way such as rocks and cliffs in the shot.

Where there is more in the way of for example buildings or cliffs covering the area you want to filter well i would suggest soft grads for this situation.

I think a good starting point is the 0.6 soft and hard grads as these are probably my most used filters.

I never hardly ever use the 0.3 soft and only now and again the 0.3 hard grad.

One really good accessory to buy which are very cheap are the plastic covers which attach over the adaptor rings.

These keep the lens protected and means that you don't have to keep unscrewing the filter adaptor rings every time you change lens. ( Only a problem when using the SD1 Merrill)

You can also use the white plastic lids for making a custom white balance with the camera.

Kind regards Lea.
 
Thanks. I see there is a starter kit with a 0.6 hard filter, I think I'll try that and get soft later if I want one.
--
Lightwriting with Sigma dp2Q for stills and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera for video
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top