ND Filters

seachunk2 · 04-09-2011, 01:45 PM

I'm interested in getting started taking shots with an ND filter.
The usual stuff - Waterfalls, surf/waves, landscapes, etc.
I still need to get acquainted with using them.
For now I've been looking at internet videos to learn a bit about their application.

I have several different lens (Pentax K7 kit 18-55 & 55-200, Pentax 55-300 DA and also Tamron 10-24 WA, Tamron 24-135).
I also have some manual focus lenses- Pentax M50mm 1.7 & a Sigma 400mm.
I'm thinking that I'll use the both Tamrons often with the ND. Mostly the 10-24.

I started looking at Cokin because I think I'd be able to use the same ND filters with either Tamron, though I might need a separate holder for each lens (The 10-24 uses a 77mm filter and the 24-135mm is 72mm).

Anyway, considering the lenses that I own, what's a good ND setup to have that will give me good flexibility?

Last edited by seachunk2; 04-09-2011 at 02:40 PM.

sewebster · 04-09-2011, 02:03 PM

I bought some cheap cokins to play around with, but apparently they can give a magenta cast. There are more expensive NDs out there that don't give a color cast, but they can be way more expensive. Seems to me that getting a plate system of some sort so you can use it for all your lenses is a decent idea...

Wheatfield · 04-09-2011, 04:05 PM

Two linear polarizing filters works really well, you can go from a few stops to probably a dozen or more by rotating them across each other in varying amounts.

panoguy · 04-09-2011, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by sewebster

I bought some cheap cokins to play around with, but apparently they can give a magenta cast.

Which can be corrected in Raw files, unless they are graduated NDs (good luck with that!). Cokin square filters also don't do well when they are stacked, but the holder is pretty good and the adapter rings can be found easily. Look at HiTech filters for the actual ND'ing.

keithg · 04-09-2011, 06:00 PM

I have some cokin filters and havnt had a magenta problem at all but i was on a canon/nikon forum one day and the subject came up. Apparently it was more of a problem with cannon. Nikon didnt seem to have it happen. It was said there that it was solved by setting the white balance manually. No more problem if this was done.

bdery · 04-10-2011, 04:00 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Two linear polarizing filters works really well, you can go from a few stops to probably a dozen or more by rotating them across each other in varying amounts.

Absolutely correct, this is the most versatile setup. There's doubt that a circular polariser might be needed to autofocus properly but I've seen reports claiming it isn't so. If you prefer to use a linear and a circular, put the linear on top of the circular and you'll be all set.

04-09-2011, 01:45 PM	#1
seachunk2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	ND Filters I'm interested in getting started taking shots with an ND filter. The usual stuff - Waterfalls, surf/waves, landscapes, etc. I still need to get acquainted with using them. For now I've been looking at internet videos to learn a bit about their application. I have several different lens (Pentax K7 kit 18-55 & 55-200, Pentax 55-300 DA and also Tamron 10-24 WA, Tamron 24-135). I also have some manual focus lenses- Pentax M50mm 1.7 & a Sigma 400mm. I'm thinking that I'll use the both Tamrons often with the ND. Mostly the 10-24. I started looking at Cokin because I think I'd be able to use the same ND filters with either Tamron, though I might need a separate holder for each lens (The 10-24 uses a 77mm filter and the 24-135mm is 72mm). Anyway, considering the lenses that I own, what's a good ND setup to have that will give me good flexibility? Last edited by seachunk2; 04-09-2011 at 02:40 PM.

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04-09-2011, 02:03 PM	#2
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	I bought some cheap cokins to play around with, but apparently they can give a magenta cast. There are more expensive NDs out there that don't give a color cast, but they can be way more expensive. Seems to me that getting a plate system of some sort so you can use it for all your lenses is a decent idea...

04-09-2011, 04:05 PM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Two linear polarizing filters works really well, you can go from a few stops to probably a dozen or more by rotating them across each other in varying amounts.

04-09-2011, 04:33 PM	#4
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by sewebster I bought some cheap cokins to play around with, but apparently they can give a magenta cast. Which can be corrected in Raw files, unless they are graduated NDs (good luck with that!). Cokin square filters also don't do well when they are stacked, but the holder is pretty good and the adapter rings can be found easily. Look at HiTech filters for the actual ND'ing.

04-09-2011, 06:00 PM	#5
keithg Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hillcrest Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 100	I have some cokin filters and havnt had a magenta problem at all but i was on a canon/nikon forum one day and the subject came up. Apparently it was more of a problem with cannon. Nikon didnt seem to have it happen. It was said there that it was solved by setting the white balance manually. No more problem if this was done.

04-10-2011, 04:00 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by Wheatfield Two linear polarizing filters works really well, you can go from a few stops to probably a dozen or more by rotating them across each other in varying amounts. Absolutely correct, this is the most versatile setup. There's doubt that a circular polariser might be needed to autofocus properly but I've seen reports claiming it isn't so. If you prefer to use a linear and a circular, put the linear on top of the circular and you'll be all set.