Filters

[Colin Southern]

Thanks for the info Colin. Very nice photos. I am in for some ND stuff. Vari I assume means variable? If you were going to have one GND filter would it be 3 stops?
I guess I do use a 'filter' because I do have one of those Raynox things.

Hi Brian,

Yes - the Vari-ND varies the attenuation between 2 and 8 stops - makes life a WHOLE lot easier

For GND - yes - 3 stop or reverse 3-Stop. I use Singh-Ray exclusively ...

www.singh-ray.com

[speedneeder]

A couple more questions if someone doesn't mind helping me.
1. For the singh ray gnd it reverse gnd I need a cokin filter holder?
2. A reverse gnd is one that lightens toward the top? Regular gnd does not?
3. Are there other brands that are almost as good for a lot less $?

Thanks

[speedneeder]

Any down side to the Singh-Ray Vari ND Duo thingy?

[Dons]

Hello guys, for my self I've always used Hoya Pro 1 Digital UV or Hoya HD-UV.. The filter always attached to my lenses..
And in additional I have 1 82mm B+W Slim CPL MRC and a variation of step up ring so I can use the 82mm CPL with all my lenses..
And for now CPL filter is enough for me..

[Markvetnz]

A couple more questions if someone doesn't mind helping me.
1. For the singh ray gnd it reverse gnd I need a cokin filter holder?
2. A reverse gnd is one that lightens toward the top? Regular gnd does not?
3. Are there other brands that are almost as good for a lot less $?

Thanks

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. yes - Tiffen - not a lot less but good, Lee - same as Tiffen, B&W - quite a lot cheaper

[Colin Southern]

Hi Brian,

For the singh ray gnd it reverse gnd I need a cokin filter holder?

You need "a" filter holder, but it doesn't have to be Cokin. The two main brands are Cokin and Lee; Cokin are cheaper, Lee cost more, but are better quality. If you decide to go the Lee way, I'd suggest having a look at the Lee Foundation Kit on B&H Website.

A reverse gnd is one that lightens toward the top? Regular gnd does not?

Kinda. They're designed for when the brightest part is on the horizon - so the middle has the most attenuation, but the other end still has a degree of attenuation.

Are there other brands that are almost as good for a lot less $?

I'd suggest "being careful" - cheaper is one thing - but many of the cheaper ones can have a different response to infra-red - so you can end up with colour-shifts that are difficult to null out. You get what you pay for

Any down side to the Singh-Ray Vari ND Duo thingy?

You lose an extra 2/3 of a stop at the minimum end. As a rule - if you're using it for shooting into the light (typical early morning sunrise etc) - personally - I don't think a polariser does anything (I don't use them at the best of times). I had the option to get one when I ordered my 2nd Vari-ND, but I passed up on the kind offer. No regrets.

[speedneeder]

Thank you very much for your input.

[Mongwopman]

I found out the hardway and bought cheap ones off ebay......they did nothing. Are utter crud! So really do avoid going that route.