GND & ND filters and sigma 10-20??

[kab]

Finally got myself a sigma 10-20mm ultra wide lens and I'd like to play around with some ND and GND filters for landscape stuff.

I was thinking the following filters may be a good start:
- 2 stop soft GND (tone down skies)
- 3 stop hard GND (horizons, sunsets)
- 4 stop ND (waterfalls, running water)

I have a budget of around $150 and require the holder, adaptor and of course filters. I've done some research, read the threads here and elsewhere and it appears that the hitech filters provide a good balance b/w quality and price.

I've got a few questions I'd like clarified before going ahead though:
- Will I get away with the Cokin P filter system given the wide angle of the sigma and its 77mm filter size?? Really don't want to jump to the Z due to $$
- Anyone using the Cokin P wideangle holder and Cokin P 77mm adapter ring with hitech filters and the sigma?? Any issues??
- I was going to buy the holder and adapter locally at ~ $35, but order the hitech filters from hhttp://www.2filter.com. Seems like a few from here have used these guys...any issues??? Doesn't look like you can buy these locally.
- Lastly, do you more or less agree with the type of filters I'll be starting out with?? If not, what would you recommend??

Many thanks.

Till next time....
Regards
Keith

[Wocka]

Hi Keith,

I have bought the HiTech ND Grad filters from 2Filters.com. I found 2Filter easy to deal with and would recommend them. See my post here http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=26709&highlight=.

I have just borrowed a Canon EF-s 10-22mm from a friend. I hope to get out this weekend and try the GND's on it. I'll let you know how I end up.

I have only used them once, but I'm totally blown away at the difference they make. See my first attempts here http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=29426&highlight=.

Answer to your Questions:
1) From my previous post you will see what they say about the P series and the 77mm lens, only 23mm of adjustment + I think you can get some vingetting in the corners. Have a look at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php and do a search for GND's, heaps of info there and pictures as well.
2) I don't have the wide holder, I believe.
Reading POTN you will see that people reverse the holder on the adapter to get the filter as close as possible to the end of the lens to stop the vingette from appering in the corners. You may need to remove your UV filter as well to get in close.
3) I just bought a 77mm adapter and holder from here http://stores.ebay.com.au/weis-link $13 delivered. But when I purchased my original filters it was cheaper to buy the kit ( filter/ adapter / holder ) than to buy just the filter from 2filter.com. You wouldn't tell that it was a knock-off holder except Cokin isn't stamped on it. But the holder is nothing really, just a bit of plastic.

I bought all soft edges for my 2 filters, but what you have proposed would be fine. Even though I have used the filters on the ocean, I thought it safer to go the soft edge for when I try inland landscapes.

[kab]

Thanks Warwick.

I remember seeing your thread a while back. Great results from your first attempt with these filters.

Please do report back how you go with the wide angle Canon lens and the filters....

[Wocka]

Keith,

Check out this thread, very informative.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=315987

Cheers

[kab]

Thanks again Warwick.

I ended up ordering the following from 2filter.com. I tried a wide angle P holder with the sigma 10-20, and to my surprise there was no vignetting (or very little). One of the filter holders in the package below will be the wide angle type.

1 Hitech P 77mm 0.6 S.L. Grad Kit HT77GD6S $55.54 $55.54
1 Hitech P 67mm 0.6 H.L. Grad Kit HT67GD6H $55.54 $55.54

The thread you linked to was very informative.
Did you end up getting out on the weekend??

Till next time...
Regards
Keith

[Wocka]

Keith,

I finally got out on the weekend to test the 10-22mm. At 10mm the lens is very wide. So much so you see this through the view finder


Note: No PP was done on this image or dust bunny
Note: This is not the Cokin Wide angle holder

I was able to use the lens @ 12mm and only have a little corner showing, something I can clone out easily if needed.

Since I have 3 of these Cokin holders, I might get the Dremel tool out over the Xmas break and remove some more from the centre hole. It may not make much of a difference, but worth a try.

[big pix]

for 10 mm lens lose the holder and use what the pro's use....... bluetac ..... trust me it works, a little top and bottom will hold your filter up close to the lens....... works great with the Coken series, and no cut off corners

[Wocka]

Fantastic suggestion.

I will try that next time, it's probably easier to get the grad line in the position you want also.

Cheers.

[kab]

Great timing, just received the following filters from 2filter.com yesterday. Looking forward to having a play with them over christmas.

> 1 Hitech P 77mm 0.6 S.L. Grad Kit HT77GD6S $55.54 $55.54
> 1 Hitech P 67mm 0.6 H.L. Grad Kit HT67GD6H $55.54 $55.54

As it was cheaper to order the filters in kits, I grabbed a normal holder and the wide-angle holder. Prior to ordering I went to Teds and cofirmed that the wide-angle holder does not vignette with the sigma at 10mm.

I'm also hoping to use the Hard Grad as a ND filter on some of my smaller lenses with a step down ring.

Will update this thread with my first filter attempts.

Cheers.....

[Wocka]

Fantastic news Keith,

Any chance you could post a pic of the wide angle holder and the standard one next to each other for comparison?

As I said, I think I'll dremel one away a bit to see how it goes. I have 3 holders to play with.

Here's one from Saturday Night

0.6 GND
A bit of light painting with a 580ex on +3 from the left of the lighthouse.

Cheers

[kab]

G'day Warwick,

Here's a quick and dirty pic of the wide angle holder. I don't think you'll have any problems just cutting out two slots.



Cheers
Keith

[Wocka]

Thx for the picture.