Simone Byrne

Thanks John, was trying to make it as user friendly as possible! ;o)

Yeah I think cause they take a bit of fiddling with most people put them in the too hard basket, but I like a challenge! I couldn’t find any tutes on how to use them when I got mine, so it was just trial and error for me till I worked out a system.

Yep that sounds about right, they are very expensive… I paid $85 for a 58mm one for my little Canon kit lens, but once you go beyond 62mm the price practically doubles. Shop around you may get something cheaper.

My pleasure Friederike I hope you find it helpful! :o)

My pleasure mate, they are great for misty waters at sunset! I got mine mostly for waterscapes and minimalism work which I want to get into.

You too Friederike, let me know how you get on with the filter, I will be interested to see your project and images! :o)

Yeah the NDs definitely give an advantage, they also increase colour saturation because they cut down glare. I only really use my 3 stop grad and the 9 stop, but you can get them in various stops.

Yeah I have no idea, might be something to do with the grade of glass they use in them. I think that name is only used by Hoya, so it’s probably just a model number.

My pleasure Bettina :o)

The main filters I use and cannot live without are my CPL (circular polarizing filter) and my 2 and 3 stop ND Grads (Grad4, Grad8). If you are into waterfalls probably a 3 stop Grad (Grad8) is a good one to have on hand also, that’s next on my list with a infrared! ;o)

Thanks Rob and yeah I bet with your take on seascapes you’d have fun with one!! ;o)

My pleasure Roz :o)

Thanks Jaz, glad you like it mate :o)

Thanks Garry and my pleasure. And yes an IR filter is next on my list of goodies to purchase!!

My pleasure Jason :o)

Depends on what size thread you are after Michael, I paid $85 for a 58mm, but 77mm ones can cost upwards of $280 depending on where you shop.

You’re most welcome Garth, and thanks spotted that, fixing it as we speak! LOL!! It was 3am when I was finishing it off, the eyes and brain were a little weary!! ;o)

Thanks mate, yeah I might put a few more together and submit them and see what happens eh?! Thanks for the suggestion :o)

Yeah slight vignetting is a problem using both filters, especially at wide angles and you’re right, using the CPL you have to be “extra” careful screwing it on, or else you ruin the effect of the CPL also!

Cheers! :o)

My pleasure Danielle and thanks, hope you find it useful! :o)

My pleasure Rupert! :o)

Thanks :o)

Yeah Rob Mullner was telling me about them, maybe when I get a job and can afford a 5D Mark II I’ll splurge on one of the Singh Rays too! ;o) And no worries mate, hope you found it useful :o)

Thanks Peter and not a problem. I find the drop ins are much easier too, I’m not sure if you can get a 9 stop drop in, think most are screw in types. I combine mine all the time too, am yet to do a 9stop with a ND Grad 8 though for sunsets, every time I’ve gone out for a sunset since I got it, it’s either been a no show or the sea spray has been atrocious so using it was a waste of time and light!! I need a calm sea and good sunset/rise to try it out properly.

Hi Paul, most camera shops can order one in for you. I got mine from Camera House at a reasonable price, but I see you are in the UK, try Vanbars they are in Australia but will ship to UK I believe, either that or try ebay. The model I use is a Hoya NDX400, sometimes just called a ND400, but just double check with the dealer that it is a 9 stop ND.

Hi Lois, will answer this quick as just got home from a shoot and need to quickly upload some shots then get to bed get up and go out taking some more shots with my best bud… phew!!! Okay so your ND grad8 is a totally different filter to the one used in this tutorial, which is why if you used the settings in the chart you will have totally overexposed images.. and ND grad8 is actually a 3 stop grad (from 0 at the bottom to 3 stop at the top)... Until I get time to write a specific tute for ND grads, all you need do is put it on your camera, because it is only 3 stop you will be able to see through it to focus/compose etc, auto focus will work etc.. and just shoot your images as normal, make sure though that the grad horizon is level with your images horizon… I will be back after New Years to do a more descriptive tutorial… hope that helps for now..

No probs :o)

My pleasure Richard :o)

My pleasure Leslie and thanks, I’m a martial arts instructor and teach young (and old) kids, so I guess I am used to explaining things in simple terms. Glad I can help.

Thanks Tereza :o)

LOL!! Yep gets a bit like that doesn’t it!! I just bought an IR filter but my current lens causes hot spots, so tomorrow I’m off to buy a new lens so I can use my new filter!! LOL!!!

My pleasure :o)

My pleasure Veronica, glad I can help :o)

Thanks David, my pleasure :o)

My pleasure Wendy :o)

My pleasure Jim, though I’m not sure I’d call myself an authority on the subject, just like helping others out to save them the headaches I went through because there were no guides to follow ;o) Thanks for your vote of confidence though :o)

My pleasure Cazz, and boy you are about to enter an exciting world for the first time!! DSLR’s are so much fun to play with! ;o)

Thanks Julie and my pleasure :o)

No problem Roddy, my pleasure :o)

My pleasure, glad you find it easy to follow :o)

My pleasure Mel, hope you find it helpful :)

LOL, no probs and yeah they are a bit pricey, but well worth it :)

My pleasure Jocelyn, NDs are definitely a great addition to the camera kit and are quite addictive :) Hope you find the tutorial useful :))