Question re: filters

[Gandalf_22h]

Have a question re: Lee or Cokin X-Pro Grad ND filters in that do you use the dedicated hoods that are available or do you just use the filters in the holder only?

Cheers

Hal

[andy153]

Hi there Hal, X-pro filters are for medium format & movie camera, I used to use "A" filters when most Nikkors had a standard 52 mm thread or not much bigger and they were fine - used multiple holders and dedicated hoods, stacked up 3 or 4 with ease on some lenses. Now tend to use "P" filters, with a holder but rarely the hood. Also sometimes just hold them in front by hand when using a tripod. I also use the circular screw in ND grads and solid ND - all are 77 mm thread and if lens is different, use step up or step down rings. If you are interested look at the Singh-Ray ones from the States, cost a fortune, but are very high spec and very good - they are the only people I know who make a "reverse graduated" ND filter, which I fancy but it has very limited use and cannot be justified - even by me.

[Gandalf_22h]

Hi Andy: Thanks for the reply. The reason I asked is that I intend to use Lee filters. They produce a special set of ND Grads for use with wide-angle lenses. Their size is 130 x 170 x 3mm. However they do not produce a filter holder for them and state they are to be used on a Cokin X-Pro holder.

see: http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product...2244&PT_ID=549

However, having said that: You say you are using the Cokin 'P' series holder (no hood) do you not get any vignetting when shooting at 28, 24mm or wider? Do you use the standard adapter ring or the wide-angle adaptor ring to connect the holder?

I passed through your neck of the woods last Thursday on my way to Bodnant Garden to try out my new 24-70 2.8G by the way. Looks very beautiful.

Cheers Hal

[andy153]

Hi there Hal, I noticed your pics from Bodnant Gardens. I've organised a WPF meet at the Conwy RSPB site this coming Sunday - 19/7. To answer your question - yes I do get some cut off and vignetting, but I tend to use the D3 in 5x4 format so it does not usually effect results. I have used this method with a 12-24 Sigma at the 12 mm end and composed in the viewfinder to get rid of cut off and vignette. The X - Pro Lee use the Cokin holder but as I would always be using a tripod for this kind of work I would just hand hold them.

[Gandalf_22h]

Cheers Andy.