daveb
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Post by daveb on Sept 1, 2016 6:47:57 GMT -8
I know we have a few backpackers here lugging camera gear and judging by the quality of photographs on this site, we have some pretty serious photographers here, so I just wanted to pass along a new product I just stumble upon. I'm not sure if it's for me yet but after beginning my research on neutral density filter kits, different glasses and methods of manufacturing (resin vs. glass), circular polarizers and the quality differences, the color cast they create, the vignette they could create on an image and then finding creative ways to stack them all together for a "perfect" photograph. I decided to see what some of your opinions were on this while I take up drinking again. Wine Country Camera
I've been talking with the people that have created this holder. It will be out sometimes around November for about $300. It will have it's own built in CPL (circular polarizer lens) of which I don't know who is making that glass at this point. The kit in the above photos is a prototype and since then they have changed out the maple handles to rosewood. I suppose it all depends on the quality of the CPL they decide to incorporate into this holder. It seems odd to me that no one has designed something like this that would accept CPL of different manufacturers (namely any B+W filters) onto the lens adapter (before the nd filters) that would allow rotation and then the ability to stack nd filters from there. I realize that most all kits allow for the CPL to be mounted after the nd filters which means you need a larger and ALLOT more expensive CPL. (but does that larger lens help resolve the vignetting issue?) Anyway, this won't be available before my trip and after mesmerizing over GaliWalker's and a few others phenomenal landscape captures I want to play with some long exposures. My current headache is deciding to go with a normal 77mm CPL for my wide angle lens and then add a Lee, NiSi or Formatt Hitech kit to that or add the larger, much more expensive CPL 105mm to the outer slot of the nd holder. Which would mean, I'm financially married to that lens by then. Sorry, at this point I don't know if I'm sharing information, asking for opinions or venting. ...15 days and a wake up! |
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 1, 2016 7:36:52 GMT -8
This is an educational post for me. You're writing of techniques about which I know nothing, but I love the photographs I see here so I'll be studying this with an intent (or rather hope?) of understanding it. I feel like such an amateur now!  |
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Sept 1, 2016 7:57:32 GMT -8
It's sort of an educational post for me. lol.
Trust me, we both feel like amateurs! ...but I'm learning.
The filters basically work like polarized sunglasses for your camera.
Some reduce glare on water so you see through it.
Some reduce glare off of foliage so that it looks greener and richer.
Some help with keeping the definition in the clouds.
Some filters are almost as dark as welder's glass that allow you to use very slow shutter speeds in order to get those creamy, smooth waterfalls. (Like GaliWalker's mastery of water captures.)
The only trick is, know what filters you need for when, then knowing how to arrange them, use them in conjunction with a camera. lol
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 1, 2016 9:03:22 GMT -8
I can't tell if that would be something you could use with an advanced compact camera like mine, but I doubt it. That's the biggest drawback to going compact: no polarizer (well, and the smaller sensor). But I have to admit that I like the light weight even more than I miss the extras, so here I am!
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GaliWalker
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Post by GaliWalker on Sept 1, 2016 9:37:50 GMT -8
It looks interesting but a little on the bulky side to me. Personally, I have dedicated CPLs for all 4 of my lenses, an ND filter for 2 of the wider angle lenses (I'm fine with it not covering the telephoto lenses), and two holder rings for the holder into which my GND filter slides in (which cover 3/4 of the lenses). I'm reasonably happy with this, so I'm probably not looking into other options. However, for someone just starting out, and who does not want to worry about the size of this holder, it might be the way to go.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Sept 2, 2016 5:59:35 GMT -8
However, for someone just starting out, and who does not want to worry about the size of this holder, it might be the way to go. Therein lies my conundrum. Leaving in two weeks for my trip and I really want to explore the waterfalls with a 10 stop nd. I'm thinking of getting the B+W xs-pro HTC Kaesemann CPL for now since my wide angle and telephoto are both 77mm. (That way I'll have a dedicated CPL for one lens if I do get the fancy wine country holder). Get a 10 stop nd and a 2 stop soft grad for my trip and the cheapest holder that will allow me to adjust my CPL. Does your holder ring screw into your CPL? |
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GaliWalker
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Post by GaliWalker on Sept 2, 2016 6:26:48 GMT -8
You don't need a 10-stop ND filter, unless you want to take really long exposures (>30sec), say at the beach. I have a 3-stop, and barely use it. My polarizer cuts ~1.5 stops of light, I'm usually at my location before the sun hits the water, my camera allows me to use an ISO of 50, and with an aperture of F/22 (for my wide-angle lens) or F/32 (for my telephoto), I've got all I need. Does your holder ring screw into your CPL? Yup. |
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Sept 2, 2016 6:36:52 GMT -8
I suppose you can tell I've been watching the Lee filter videos. lol.
Maybe I'll go with a 6 stop considering I'll most likely be photographing later in the day while on our hike. Plus I do like the effects of the long exposures but then again, I've not done or explored any of this in the field.
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Sept 6, 2016 7:28:28 GMT -8
Change of plan for this trip. Going with Breakthrough Photography CPL, a 3 stop and a 6 stop screw on filters from the same company. That covers my budget for now and I'll most likely pick up a Lee holder for a GND at some point down the road. I have plenty to play with now. Thanks GaliWalker.
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Sept 6, 2016 12:12:40 GMT -8
Seeing this thread caused a light bulb to go on. This weekend packed up gear for a 5-day backpack starting this Thursday. Now reading this thread, just remembered something I thought about on my last trip, that I am supposed to add to my pack a few stop ND filter from a big bag of old 35mm filters I own. My need for an ND filter is to slow speed to get the silky smooth water effect for stream cascades and waterfalls. So thanks for waking this old noggin up. With slow 100ASA film like Provia while stopped down, shutter speeds are inherently slow on cloudy days per below. But with digital camera sensors shutter speeds even when stopped down end up being considerable faster, thus a need for a few stop ND filter.  |
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Nov 1, 2016 6:17:49 GMT -8
davesenesac That is exactly what I was wanting to capture, albeit on our hike we didn't afford ourselves to much time to play in the water. (I regret that). I ended up getting the breakthrough photography screw on filters instead of a filter holder. Much lighter when backpacking, which I think Gali hinted to me. I got the CPL and a 3 stop and a 6 stop ND. The reason i post this now is that I just got in a Xume magnetic filter holder. I was having trouble dialing in my CPL and then trying to hold it true as I screwed on my 3 or 6 stop ND while shooting in the Tetons last month. The Xume magnet holders have a magnet that screws onto my CPL and a magnet that screws onto my ND filters so that once I dial in my CPL I just place my ND against my CPL and it magnetically snaps on. I figured it was worth a share. www.amazon.com/Xume-Lens-Adapter-77mm-Holders/dp/B00F8VWGV2 |
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Post by zipposdad on Nov 7, 2016 17:42:24 GMT -8
Ive been out of the Hobby since the late 90s. Picked up a Sony a couple years ago. All this ND discussion got me looking for the Cokin A kit from back in the day. Found it. Now to shop for appropriate filters
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daveb
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Post by daveb on Nov 16, 2016 8:16:35 GMT -8
Ive been out of the Hobby since the late 90s. Picked up a Sony a couple years ago. All this ND discussion got me looking for the Cokin A kit from back in the day. Found it. Now to shop for appropriate filters That made my day! Happy shooting! |
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Post by zipposdad on Nov 25, 2016 18:32:01 GMT -8
daveb. So I went to my local brick&morter here in Grand Rapids. And there they were a whole display rack of Cokin A filters... $5 a piece your choice, and a BIG Bargin Bin sign. Yes, we have ND filters...$145 / $160 etc. I have standardized on 55mm,dia. Oh then you need a variable ND and oh a polerizer. Both less than the 70mm he first quoted. Now waiting for sunshine.
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