ND and Filter system Help

[jonnypb]

Hoping to add a sigma 10-20 to my collection in the very near future and have been impressed and inspired by a lot of the long exposure landscape/seascape pictures (especially allymac's ) It's something I'm very interested in doing but not too sure about which filter system to go for.

I think I need an ND8 plus a CPL - Also see some people have a ND100, is this just a stonger filter than the ND8 to lose more stops of light?

Do I go for a screw in type as I'd imagine I'd just use them on the 10-20 which is 77mm or should I go for a filter set with a holder which can be used on different size lenses incase I want to use them on my Tamron 17-50 67mm?

If I go for a screw in 77mm filters do I need to go for the slim profile to help to eliminate any vignating on an UWA

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure I get the right stuff!

Thanks

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by bubble502

I think I need an ND8 plus a CPL - Also see some people have a ND100, is this just a stonger filter than the ND8 to lose more stops of light?

Yep, it's a darker filter which adds 10 stops to the exposure.

Originally Posted by bubble502

Do I go for a screw in type as I'd imagine I'd just use them on the 10-20 which is 77mm or should I go for a filter set with a holder which can be used on different size lenses incase I want to use them on my Tamron 17-50 67mm?

The Cokin system has various ring sizes which screw in and then the filter holder slides onto that, its a decent enough system but can be a bit fiddly. It does of course allow you to use your filers on any size lens that has a screw mount though.

Originally Posted by bubble502

If I go for a screw in 77mm filters do I need to go for the slim profile to help to eliminate any vignating on an UWA

The 10-20mm Sigma will show signs of vignetting even with the Cokin slim holder from around 12mm to the widest, it's not that big a deal as it can easily be cloned out in PS. As for the screw in variety you would need to go for the slimline type just to make sure you get as little vignette as possible.

[tontoshorse]

The cokin system is also handy for graduated ND's (to prevent blown skies). Being in a holder means they can be rotated as well as moved vertically.

(still a bit of a faf though).
Don't think cokin do a higher than an 8.

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

but can be a bit fiddly

that's one of the reasons I was leaning towards the screw in filters but still open to ideas

[tontoshorse]

The CPL on the cokin isn't user friendly either.

[jonnypb]

If you've got an ND filter on as well as a CPL how do you see the effect of the CPL?

Obviously if you just have a CPL on and you rotate it you can see the different effect it will create but if you've got an ND filter on blocking the light can you still see the effect of the CPL if you rotate it

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by bubble502

If you've got an ND filter on as well as a CPL how do you see the effect of the CPL?

Obviously if you just have a CPL on and you rotate it you can see the different effect it will create but if you've got an ND filter on blocking the light can you still see the effect of the CPL if you rotate it

You soon learn to put the CPL in first, adjust it and then slot in the ND.

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

The CPL on the cokin isn't user friendly either.

How so? I have never had any issues with mine.

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

How so? I have never had any issues with mine.

I find it quite tight to rotate, there's not much of an edge to grip and I generally manage to get finger prints on it attempting to slide it into that 1st gap.

[stevegreen]

I have always rotated the entire filter holder around the adaptor

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

I have always rotated the entire filter holder around the adaptor

A very neat trick Mr Green, but no can do with a grad in it as well.

and I still get finger prints on it!

Also forgot to mention to the OP, that you can't fit the lens cover once you've got the holder fitted.

[stevegreen]

Ahhhhhh I very VERY rarely use a grad and the cpl together, that's why I have not experienced it. I actually used my ND grad yesterday, first time in ages!

[jonnypb]

thanks to martin lewis i got a letter today from the abbey saying they are offering me £442 as a settlement for my PPI Insurance on a car loan i took out years ago - if anyone has taken a loan out in the past read the article you could claim some money!

looks like i'm off to buy a 10-20 and some filters

now to decide on the filters....... i'm leaning towards the screw filters and have seen several hoya ND8 filters and hoya CPL filters on ebay. The CPL Pro1 filters range from £40 to £130 for the same one (HK sellers) are the cheaper ones likely to be fake such as this one?

Has anyone got any recommended places to buy filters from?

thanks

[padi89]

For Ebay i cannot recommend Albert from Kea Photo highly enough.

[allymac123]

Yeah that Hoya CPL you meantioned is the same as mine and is the same (roughly) as what I paid for mine. The good thing with that one is that it is slightly slim (so doesn't vignette at 10mm) but still has a filter thread too so when using a heavy ND you can put the ND on top. (with an ND8 you should be able to see through the lens fine unless its getting dark and your needing to do +30s exposures.) However as you have a 40D then you can just use the liveview