What filter should I use for WA landscape photography

[mickwhit]

Hi All,

I am wanting to purchase a screw-in Hoya 77mm HALF ND4 grey filter or a screw-in Hoya 77mm graduated grey filter for landscape photography but I am having difficulty finding either lens manufactured by Hoya bigger than 58mm.

I am unsure about going with a Cokin drop-in filter system as I have heard that when shooting wide angle shots (which I intend to do with my landscape photography) you sometimes get the edges of the Cokin filter holder in the extremes of the photo.

Can anyone please advise what 77mm screw-in half ND filters or 77mm graduated filters you use and what you recommend would be suitable for this purpose, or what to steer clear from.

Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Mick.

[Sheetshooter]

Mick,

A fixed ND grad is not of much use to you - you need to be able to position the point of tranition in relation to elements in the image .... the horizon is seldom in the middle of the frame, for instance.

I use the Cokin system at times and see no particular ill-effects. I mainly use the Sinar system but the Lee filter range is excellent also. Sinar is no longer made or available (you could try Baltronics but you'll probably find there is no remaining stock. Lee is handled by Vanbar.

[LostDingo]

Mick, I agree with Sheetshooter and would encourage you use a "drop in" type filter system as you have much more freedom in plaing your graduations.

Wide angle shots by the lens you have listed will not be a problem with vignetting even with a cokin 3 filter holder. You can also buy a cokin 1 filter holder or trim a 3 holder down to suit.

As to filters, it's much like everything else with different opinions. My favourites are the Singh Ray but I know the Lee filters are excellent as well.

It may be worth looking also into the Hi Tech filters as I have heard they are very good. I believ HLop on the forum has some.

regards,

Paul

[Killakoala]

I'd reccommend the Cokin P-type filters as they will do the job for you. I've been using Cokin filters for 20 years and find them very useful.

A graduated Neutral density filter would be fine for you as would a polariser.

[avkomp]

I have had the cokin P range for over 25 years now.
I originally chose the P range because i only wanted to buy each filter type once and needed the bigger p ones for use with medium format cameras.
basically you need a adaptor/ring for each lens thread size.

Mine are finding new life with digital.
An other distinct advantage of these type of filters, particularly graduated Neutral density is that it is easy to set the horizon by sliding the filter up and down as appropriate.

I havent shot ultrawideangle with these filters fitted so cant comment on possible vignetting issues.

Steve

[mickwhit]

Hi guys.

Thanks for all the info.

Following all of your info, I guess it's in my best interest to purchase the Cokin system. If you don't mind I was wondering if you would mind answering a few more questions regarding the Cokin system and what filters I should use.

Q1. I intend buying a 12-24 lens shortly and I was wondering, should I purchase the Cokin P or Z-Pro series for WA landscape photography using this lens?

Q2. Is there any likelihood I will get vignetting using a 12-24 WA lens?

Q3. What filters are best to get? I was thinking of a graduated grey (ND4) and (ND8) but I am unsure of the exact ones to get as there are hard and soft step grad filters. What do you guys use?

Q4. Where do you buy your Cokin (and Singh-Ray) adaptor ring, filter holder and filters from?

Q5. Does each filter come with an individual protective pack? and is there a filter pouch available to hold a number of filters i.e. will the Lowepro filter pouch suffice?

Thanks for your help on this topic guys. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Mick.

[Alpha_7]

Mick,

I know very little about filters, but I can answer one questions.

I've seen at a Mini-meet birdy bring out a great unfolding filter holder, it was a lowe pro I believe and if you were carting around a number of filters it looked like an excellent option..

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Accessories/add_ons_upgrades/Filter_Pocket.aspx
I believe is the exact model I saw at the mini meet, but I'm sure Birdy can confirm or deny.

[Killakoala]

Hi guys.

Q1. I intend buying a 12-24 lens shortly and I was wondering, should I purchase the Cokin P or Z-Pro series for WA landscape photography using this lens?

Q2. Is there any likelihood I will get vignetting using a 12-24 WA lens?

Q3. What filters are best to get? I was thinking of a graduated grey (ND4) and (ND8) but I am unsure of the exact ones to get as there are hard and soft step grad filters. What do you guys use?

Q4. Where do you buy your Cokin (and Singh-Ray) adaptor ring, filter holder and filters from?

Q5. Does each filter come with an individual protective pack? and is there a filter pouch available to hold a number of filters i.e. will the Lowepro filter pouch suffice?

1. I don't have any z-pro filters or a 12-24 (yet) so i can't answer that question. But the P series will suit 77mm wide lenses.
2. I will test this when i get my 12-24, hopefully this week but i would say there is a chance of vignetting, as there would be with a screw-in filter.
3. Get both the GRAD-ND 4 and 8 as you will find situations to use both. Murphy's law says you will need one but only have the other.
4. I have bought mine from various camera shops country-wide as i usually buy them on demand to change with my ever changing lens collection. They cost between $20-30 depending where you find them in the size you want.
5. Yes, each filter has its own plastic hard case. i have a cheap Tamrac pouch i keep my filters in. One side of my LowePro mini-trekker is home to many filters.

[radar]

Hi Mick,

There was a talk on Hitech filters at the link below:
http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=11545

I just ordered the set, so will be able to report after Christmas.

Q1. I intend buying a 12-24 lens shortly and I was wondering, should I purchase the Cokin P or Z-Pro series for WA landscape photography using this lens?

Got the Cokin P series with the low profile holder, ie holds just one filter. I'll be using it on a 12-24 lens.

Q2. Is there any likelihood I will get vignetting using a 12-24 WA lens?

Not sure yet, it's wrapped under the tree

Q3. What filters are best to get? I was thinking of a graduated grey (ND4) and (ND8) but I am unsure of the exact ones to get as there are hard and soft step grad filters. What do you guys use?

Hard grad filters are supposedly better when you have a nice line on the horizon, like the ocean.

Q4. Where do you buy your Cokin (and Singh-Ray) adaptor ring, filter holder and filters from?

Cokin can be bought from Vanbar, see http://www.vanbar.com.au

The singh-ray ones can be bought directly from them, but they are $$$$ compared to the Cokin, but they are meant to be very nice.

Q5. Does each filter come with an individual protective pack? and is there a filter pouch available to hold a number of filters i.e. will the Lowepro filter pouch suffice?

You can buy a protective box for the Cokin series, not sure if the lowepro filter pouches as described by Alpha_7 will fit the Cokin filters. If you are close to a Vanbar shop, go and talk to them about it or go to a mini-meet in your area.

HTH,

radar

[birddog114]

Steve,

1. I don't have any z-pro filters or a 12-24 (yet) so i can't answer that question. But the P series will suit 77mm wide lenses.
2. I will test this when i get my 12-24, hopefully this week but i would say there is a chance of vignetting, as there would be with a screw-in filter.

How do you fit this Cokin filter to the Sigma 12-24?

[Killakoala]

Steve,

1. I don't have any z-pro filters or a 12-24 (yet) so i can't answer that question. But the P series will suit 77mm wide lenses.
2. I will test this when i get my 12-24, hopefully this week but i would say there is a chance of vignetting, as there would be with a screw-in filter.

How do you fit this Cokin filter to the Sigma 12-24?

By hand.

[birddog114]

Steve,

1. I don't have any z-pro filters or a 12-24 (yet) so i can't answer that question. But the P series will suit 77mm wide lenses.
2. I will test this when i get my 12-24, hopefully this week but i would say there is a chance of vignetting, as there would be with a screw-in filter.

How do you fit this Cokin filter to the Sigma 12-24?

By hand.

By handholding the filter in front of the lens while other hand on the shutter release?