Filter advice

Paulw · 30-01-2008 11:55am #1

Ok guys, I've a few questions. A subject I know very little about.

I need some filters. I'm heading on holidays in March, to Utah. Going to visit some of the national parks there - Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, etc. So, I can expect bright blue sky.

Now I already have 77mm polarising filter (circular) and also 77mm ND grad gray filter (circular).

Are these enough? Should I look for something else? I know people comment on Conkin P filters, but I've never seen/used these.

Any tips/advice would be great.

Fajitas! · 30-01-2008 12:04pm

Cokin or Lee filter set with a set of ND grads would be great, I reckon...

DarrenG has quite a few ND filters.

helios · 30-01-2008 12:09pm

Go for Cokin. I just recently bought a few and they're fantastic. Though I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, they're really cheap at Conn's. The filters will set you back about €22 each (except for polariser and IR). Adaptor and ring are about €12 each...

Paulw · 30-01-2008 12:13pm

Any advice on where to buy and rough price?

Ah, must have a browse in Cons so.

helios · 30-01-2008 12:18pm

Paulw wrote: »

Any advice on where to buy and rough price?

Ah, must have a browse in Cons so.

They've got a good selection. The prices are really good, and better than online + shipping. They might not have all the selection, but they had a few stacks when I was there on Monday.

GristlyEnd · 30-01-2008 12:23pm

I use Surrey Photography on eBay for my Cokin purchases. Just get some grads, adaptor rings and holder. What's the widest lens you have?

Paulw · 30-01-2008 12:29pm

Widest lens I have would be EF-S 10-22mm (77mm) or else the 24-70mm (also 77mm filter).

Might have to look at getting a 16-35mm lens (82mm filter), since I can't mount the EF-S lens on the 1D MkIII. :cool:

The 10-22mm and 24-70mm will probably be the most used lenses, especially for landscapes.

GristlyEnd · 30-01-2008 12:36pm

Make sure you get the wide angle holder otherwise you will get vignetting.

Paulw · 30-01-2008 1:01pm

Thanks.

Been browsing. It's hard to know what I'd need, for the grad filters - ND2, ND4, ND8 etc.

Should I just take a chance and buy a ND2 and ND8?

Oh the fun.

helios · 30-01-2008 1:07pm

Try and be a little creative as well. You can get sunset filters, and I bought a grad tobacco filter... If you want to have a go, give me a shout the next time you're in town...

Covey · 30-01-2008 1:08pm

Paul,

So your going, fair play, sounds great.

No advice on filters, but some gneral advice. Never go on holiday with equipment that you not completely comfortable in using.

T.

Paulw · 30-01-2008 1:16pm

Am certainly going. Flights booked, first 2 nights accomodation booked. The rest, we'll wing it.

I've been reading/browsing and filters will be critical. Bright blue sky, high sun, all will make filters critical. I've used my own circular filters before, and find them very good. But, when changing lens/body, I'm going to need extra sets. so, decided to see what my options are.

I'm going to stick to the basics - polarised and Grad ND.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Now, I just have to work out how to pack everything, and not have my bags too overweight.

countryjimbo · 30-01-2008 1:17pm

Paulw wrote: »

Thanks.

Been browsing. It's hard to know what I'd need, for the grad filters - ND2, ND4, ND8 etc.

Should I just take a chance and buy a ND2 and ND8?

Oh the fun.

You can use more than one at a time so smaller numbers are more flexible. I have an ND2 & 4, don't know if I'd use an 8.
Also watch out for the transition on grads, they can be hard or soft, soft is easier to work with.

snellers · 30-01-2008 1:23pm

Just to add to Coveys comments at a slightly different angle... I have made the mistake in past of taking too much with me - became such a chore taking pics (changing several lenses / filters...etc) that I spent far too much time messing about 'getting it right' and not taking pics (plus a sore shoulder at end of day from carrying all the stuff!) Unless your trip is purely for photography purposes I would be realistic about the amount of kit you take and get a balance between flexibility/weight. (Make sure you are fully insured for your kit.....do not assume it will be covered to the level you would require to replace in the event of theft/damage)

Have a great trip!!!

bovril · 30-01-2008 1:30pm

I recently had an order in with www.2filter.com for the following :

> 1 Cokin P Series #121 G2 Grey Graduated € 21.99
> 1 Cokin P Series #121 Graduated Grey G2 Medium € 21.99
> 1 Cokin P Series #121 Gradual Grey G2-Light € 21.99
> 1 Cokin P Series #153 Grey Neutral Density € 19.99
> 1 Cokin P Series #154 Grey Neutral Density € 19.99
> 1 Cokin P Holder € 12.99
> 1 Cokin P Series 77mm Adapter Ring € 11.99

They had two items out of stock and wouldn't ship the order until they had it in full. I am heading away in 3.5 weeks to OZ and NZ. I've never shot with P filters before and I will have the time to experiment. The prices are Conns prices as I mailed them before I cancelled my order with 2filter. I meant to head down to Conns on lunch yesterday and today but got stuck working

I've looked at photos people on flickr have using these filters and have also looked at the cokin site as they have profiles of some users with photos and the combination of filters they used, that's why I am choosing what I am choosing.

Filter advice

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