[Liam O'Neill]

I'm thinking about getting some filters and I thought I'd see what advice you lot might have for me.

I think I want a circular polariser and one or more Graduated ND filters. It seems the Cokin P System would be the way to go (the same gear from Lee is just too expensive). At the same time, if I have to replace the Cokin stuff with Lee filters later because they aren't good enough, I'll be wasting more money. Reading the other threads about colour casts and about the futility of using cokin filters with L-series or prime lenses scares me just a little.

A few people have mentioned using Lee filters in the P-system holders. How does that work? As far as I can see, the Lee filters are 100mmx100mm and the P-system holders are only 84mmx84mm. The Cokin holder and adapters are a LOT cheaper than the Lee ones though. If that really works I could see myself doing it.
(I have 3 lens, a 17-35 @77mm and two 67mm lens with focal lengths of 28-75 and 70-200)

The Lee polariser is way out of my league right now, which might be another reason to go with the Cokin system.

Does anyone have any other suggestions, or any comments on this Lee filters/cokin system arrangement?

[Les Meehan]

Hi Liam

May I ask why you want ND grads? Do you use a digital camera or film?

[Liam O'Neill]

I think I know why you are asking. I have a 30D.
I am aware of the photoshop technique to combine two seperate shots (or different conversions of the same shot) to get the effect of the ND filter. I've even used it on a few recent shots and was quite pleased with it on shots that weren't intended to be used that way.

I guess I'm a little unsure where that really gets me. I tend to handhold a lot, which makes taking the exact same shot twice tricky, which I think is what I really need to do to make this method work at it's best. Right now I'm wondering if a mixture of auto-braketing and the 5fps shooting speed could help with that (which shows how lazy I am ). I'm thinking the real filters might allow me to be lazy and handhold. The alternative is to use the tripod more (and therefore get a head for it that I'm happy to use)

Using the tripod more might allow me to afford a better screw-in polariser of course....

[Les Meehan]

I think you've clarified your situation both for me and for you! If the ND's are for handholding then by all means get them. Personally, I'd prefer you to stop being lazy about your technique and use the tripod, it will give you more than just a steady camera. Think of the joy you will have in being able to control the depth of field in your images rather than having to compromise because you need to use a certain shutter speed to avoid camera shake (you will never handhold well enough to beat a good tripod for sharpness).

But hey, if you are happy the way you work so be it.

[Rob Barron]

I entirely agree about using a tripod but I also think an ND grad is a very useful bit of kit to have. Yes you can marry two pics together but you can do it with one with this filter and the results are excellent providing you position the grad filter carefully so that it follows the horizon line reasonably well.

You simply cannot beat a good tripod for landscape work, even when using a fast shutter speed. It's always going to get you that extra degree of sharpness. I use a Sherpa Pro carbon fibre tripod as it is lighter and doesn't tempt me to leave it behind rather than carry it about.

Cheers,
Rob

[P-E]

I can only echo what has been said about working off a tripod.

I use the Lee system throughout so I am unable to advise you about using them with the Cokin P system although I believe Steve does......apologies if this isn't so

[orangepeel]

I've got the cokin P-series with 3x nd grads. be aware, they are a bit crap when it comes to stacking as they cause a colour cast. Apparently if stacking is your game then you need to look at the Lee filters.

My cokin system cost me about £80 for 3 ring adapters, 1 holder and 3 grads. Equivelent Lee kit seems to be around £200.

You pays your money and you takes your chances

see here: -
Stacking Cokin P-Series Filters

[Steve]

I use the Cokin P system with Lee grads. I bought mine through SRB film while I was in the UK. They will cut them to the correct size for you and are still very reasonable on prices.

SRB FILM

I do stack mine and have never had any colour cast issues. If you are going to stack filters always try to get them as close to the lens as possible to minimise the possible reflections and light diffraction.

HTH

[Dabhand16]

I'd add a plug for SRB. They are really helpful and have a huge range of stuff.

[Liam O'Neill]

I made the mistake of going near a camera shop on Saturday and came out with a Cokin P-system polariser and two grad ND filters. I understand there may be issues with the GND's but I think I'll make sure I will actually make real use of the setup before looking to more expensive filters.
Thanks for the kick in the butt about using the tripod. I think I'll have to invest in a more user-friendly ballhead, but I'll strive to use it more.
From quick playing about yesterday I've already learned that the spot meter doesn't work in quite the way I thought it did , that placing the GND's might take some getting used to, and that all the shots with the polariser are massively underexposed and I don't really know why.

[Steve]

The underexposure with grad filters is a issue that many experiance when they first start down this route. A lot depends on your metering modes and which points are activated. The best advice for now is to shoot in RAW mode so that you have the extra stops of lattitude to play with once you are back infront of the PC.

There was another thread specifically about this topic not to long ago...give me a min and I'll see if I can dig it up for you

[Steve]

There you go Liam...

Metering using Filters

There is quite alot of information in there but please post back for more help