ND filter VS GND filter

[Thommo]

Hey guys,

I am wanting to buy a ND filter before a trip down the coast in about a month but i need some advice.

Do i just need a ND filter for landscapes or would a Graduated ND be more suited.

Main use is to get that semi HDR look on landscapes between the foreground and sky.

I have had a quick look and so far ND filters are a lot more easy to come by

Advice is appreciated

[Matt. K]

A Nuetral Density filter would be more versatile. Could be used for all sorts of orher aplications. But get a GND if you are specifically wanting to knock down a sky.

[Mr Darcy]

this is one case where the Cokin system (or its imitators!) really shines.
you can slide a graduation across to where you want it for your composition. Otherwise you are stuck with composing where the transition lies.

My call would be
Choice #1 Cokin Graduated ND
#2 Standard ND
#3 Fixed Graduated ND

but the cjoice between 1 & 2 really depends on what you want to do.
e.g.
#1 for landscapes where you tone down the sky
#2 for waterfalls where you want to smooth out the flow

[iluxa]

Main use is to get that semi HDR look on landscapes between the foreground and sky.

In this case you need GRADUATED ND. Just ND will not help you at all as it's only increases an exposure time, while GND makes exposure "different" for foreground and background (ok, land and sky).

Start with the Cokin P102 and P121 filters.