aChanceEncounter
Senior Member
Are you landscape folks still use nd grads? I am shooting with a fuji xt5
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Are nd grads still a thing with better dr in cameras?
- Thread starter aChanceEncounter
- Start date
Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
I haven't used one in a long time. That is not just because cameras in 2024-2025 have better dynamic range; it's that raw processing programs and Photoshop allow for much more naturalistic effects and precise control, giving life to older cameras as well.
ND and color grads came into their own with color negative and transparency film stocks. This was especially true with transparency films like Kodachrome and the E-6 families of Afgachromes, Ektachromes, and Fujichromes and their limited dynamic range. It also became a stylistic "look" that was in vogue for a few years back then. Maybe that look will come back as a nostalgic trend someday.
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
"It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel
CameraCarl
Veteran Member
I don't use them anymore, but I know lots of photographers who do. I take workshops with one professional photographer who teaches ND filter usage, and am surrounded by a half dozen people -- all fiddling around with them. I just do any adjustments I need beyond the DR of my camera in post processing, including, if there is a need, I'll take two or three images and blend them.
poipoipoi_2016
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,383
- Solutions
- 1
- Reaction score
- 666
Not really.
I have a 6 and a 10.
We've got 14 stops of DR on these cameras so I can fix it in post. But also if I really care, I can always sneak a stop or two by say... shooting f/5.6 instead of f/.8 or 5s instead of 10s. Rarely does it matter that much.
Last edited:
biza43
Forum Pro
Seems like some of the responses you got are addressing ND filters, not graduated ND filters. Anyway, I stopped used graduated ND filters because for several years my cameras have enough room to underexpose to preserve the sky, when there is a noticeable difference in brightness between sky and land/sea. I still use ND filters though.
I use an XT5 too, BTW.
I use an XT5 too, BTW.
Mward1226
Well-known member
Like biza43 I also stopped using my GND's some years ago because processing and DR has become so much better. However I still carry ND's with me in case I need them, but in the past few years I have only used my Nisi 10x square filter when shooting water to get a silky smooth effect.
What would be the consensus on the best way to get the 10x water effect on water without using a ND and an extraordinary amount of post processing. Thanks.
What would be the consensus on the best way to get the 10x water effect on water without using a ND and an extraordinary amount of post processing. Thanks.
tclune
Senior Member
Not a landscape application, but this video includes a nifty studio application of a GND: Mastering Luxury Bottle Product Photography - Stunning Remy Martin Cognac Photo Breakdown! FWIW
Rodrigo Pasiani
Senior Member
I do, just because I don't like to post process (working the whole day in front of a computer screen is enough).
Peru. Handheld. Polarizer + ND8 grad + ND4 grad (diagonally on the right side)
Brazil. Tripod. ND8 + ND8(?) grad + Polarizer.
Germany. ND8 grad + ND4 grad + Polarizer.
France. Tripod. ND8(?) grad "upsidedown", Polarizer
Maybe someone else could do better with post process instead of using the filters, but I'm happy this way.
--
Gear list: eyes, brain, hands and a couple of cameras.
Instagram: @rodrigo_pasiani
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigo_pc/albums/72157697391983321
Peru. Handheld. Polarizer + ND8 grad + ND4 grad (diagonally on the right side)
Brazil. Tripod. ND8 + ND8(?) grad + Polarizer.
Germany. ND8 grad + ND4 grad + Polarizer.
France. Tripod. ND8(?) grad "upsidedown", Polarizer
Maybe someone else could do better with post process instead of using the filters, but I'm happy this way.
--
Gear list: eyes, brain, hands and a couple of cameras.
Instagram: @rodrigo_pasiani
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigo_pc/albums/72157697391983321
Perhaps you should ask the 'landscape folk' in the Landscape and Travel Forum for some more insightful responses.
FWIW, I do use ND grads when the tonal separation is more than 5 stops. There's only so much one can do in post regardless of how much range is inherent in the sensor.
FWIW, I do use ND grads when the tonal separation is more than 5 stops. There's only so much one can do in post regardless of how much range is inherent in the sensor.
Meeces
Senior Member
I have not used them in years, but within the last 6 months have purchased a couple of graduated filters and am just starting to try them out again. I prefer to get closer to what I want in camera if I can.
I use Maven filters (have recommended them in other posts), and they have some options for variable graduated nd if paired with a polarizer. I can't explain it, but the website does (one is called the Magic Variable Gradient).
I use Maven filters (have recommended them in other posts), and they have some options for variable graduated nd if paired with a polarizer. I can't explain it, but the website does (one is called the Magic Variable Gradient).
aChanceEncounter
Senior Member
these filters are interesting - I am not sure I understand using a linear polarizer... I had always heard only use Circular polarizers.
Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
Perhaps this explanation will help you understand the practical differences between the two types of polarization filters: https://kasefilters.eu/blog/circula...ystems rely heavily,you with the best results.
--
Ellis Vener
To see my work, please visit http://www.ellisvener.com
I am on Instagram @EllisVenerStudio
“It's not about the f-stop." -Jay Maisel
Last edited:
Nope, no GNDs. DR is pretty good of modern cameras, and worst case fix in post using Linear gradient filter or select sky and edit, both in LR.
Still use ND though, for controlling exposure.
neilt3
Senior Member
I frequently use ND grads , ND filters and a polariser , depending on scene .
If there's quite a difference I use the grads though my newer cameras can handle lesser differences in PP .
Still shooting quite a bit of film , I typically carry them with me anyway.
I also prefer to get the shot right in camera , rather than trying to fix everything in post .
If there's quite a difference I use the grads though my newer cameras can handle lesser differences in PP .
Still shooting quite a bit of film , I typically carry them with me anyway.
I also prefer to get the shot right in camera , rather than trying to fix everything in post .
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum