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Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
Hey guys,

help me out here. I've been using my CPL to try and cut down on the dynamic range difference between sky and foreground for sometimes... but i guess it's just not nearly as good as Graduated NDs.

So for those of you who use them, wanna recommend me where to start? I've heard i should get a Cokin holder but avoid their GND filters... grab a Singh Ray or a B+W... will the slot in the Cokin holder? and what holder do i get? i want it to fit around my 17-55mm nikkor which is 77mm.
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>> Anonymous
how do you use something thats the same opacity through the thing to cut down on the range?
>> Anonymous
buy a graduated filter

cokin quality is great and is cheap in the way that you can buy one filter for all of your lens sizes, but let me tell it is a fucking pain the in ass and almost requires that you buy the funky lens hood designed for them.
>> Anonymous
>>88375
Have you ever used a Circular Polarizer?

>>88377
Fuck I'm sick of shit advice on /p/

>>buy a graduated filter
yeah that's what he wants to do

anyway. The Singh Ray filters are expensive and do scratch easily, so just be careful with those. I'm fairly certain that they do slot into a Cokin P229 wide angle holder. But double check at the store. Cokin Graduated filters are pretty much shit, so avoid them.

Remember to avoid screwed ons since they defeat the purpose of flexibility of use.
>> Anonymous
>>88389
yeah. mine happens to add 2 stops of light to the entire frame. i dont see how that could reduce the range since youre reducing the entire frame by the same amount.
>> Anonymous
>>88395
>>yeah. mine happens to add 2 stops of light to the entire frame.

...how does your polarizer ADD stops of light? Do you even know what you're talking about?

GTFO already.
>> Anonymous
>>88397
ADDS TWO STOPS OF LIGHT NEEDED TO GET THE PROPER EXPOSURE. IT MAKES SENSE IF YOU ARENT AN ASS ABOUT IT.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>88395
Dear dumbass:

Your polarizing filter rotates. Try rotating it some time. Observe the effects on the sky when you do so.

Additionally: You meant it removes about two stops of light, not adds.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88395

Errr... yeah... i think you're lost. A Circular Polariser does not add any stops of light, infact most take away about 2 stops... and they ARE NOT the same opacity throughout... that is why they are CIRCULAR so you can rotate to compensate for glare from the sun or in my case in which this thread started, change the contrast between the sky and foreground hence saving otherwise blown highlights.

>>88389

Sweet, do you use them yourself?

anyone else got recommendations?
>> Anonymous
>>88402
its the same opacity, it just lets different alignments of light through. alignments. of light. not amounts.
>> Anonymous
>>88398
Fuckin asshat can't tell the difference between a CPL and a linear polarizer. Next time try and contribute to a thread (ie actually answering someone's question) instead of acting like an idiot.

>>88402

Honestly, i've never used systems, i had a screwed on gnd once, lamest thing i've done. Could not do shit with it. Mainly due to the fact that the horizon or whatever mid line you're trying to separate will not ALWAYS be in the centre of the camera frame.

I've head of people hand holding square filters infront of cameras. Since they're usually 6x4 inches, it shouldn't be a problem with your 77mm nikkor.

How is that nikkor btw? how does it compare to the 17-35?
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88406

hmmm hand held eh?... that might be something to consider.

The 17-55mm is a great lens. I shot with the 17-35 for a weekend and i absolutely loved it. It's solidly built and the flare control on that thing is just brilliant. But as i'm shooting DX at the moment i went with the 17-55 since i shoot at the extremes of that focal range. The 17-35mm simply wasn't long enough.

But when i do go FX i'll definitely try and trade my 17-55 for a 17-35mm. I've seen the 14-24... as much as i like the extra width... the intergrated hood means inability to add filters... and frankly the protruding element scares me as i'm a clutz and would certainly scratch it.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>Cokin Graduated filters are pretty much shit, so avoid them.

I beg to differ... i have en extensive range of cokin filters, including the ones you mention. From my experience they work great.
>> Anonymous
There's totally nothing wrong with Cokin filters for the average person. They are relatively cheap and high quality. I've only ever heard complaints about them having color casts but the average jackass isn't going to notice or care.
>> Anonymous
itt we articulate our opinions in an intelligent, meaningful way.

instead of calling each other dumbasses for liking cokin, which would be totally prostylez.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88442

I dont think anyone was called dumbass for liking Cokin.

You need better reading comprehension.

FAMILYMAN!!! which cokin stuff do you have? and how do you find them?
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
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>>88495
JEREMO!!!! i have most of the colour gradient filters and ND.
they work wonderfully on film, but honestly i feel they aren't as forgiving on digital, but still far better than any other system.

Pic: Nikon F5 50mm f/1.4 Kodak Ektachrome E100VS Cokin 132 Gradual Yellow Y1

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>> Anonymous
Cokin polarizers = fail. Inconvenient to rotate and you can't put a lens hood over them.

Cokin graduated ND filters = win. No other system lets you freely move the filter up and down.

Other Cokin filters = I don't care because I don't shoot film.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88501

which holders/system do you have? I'm a little confused on what i should get.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>88504
A system
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88504

oh i meant like what specific holder (ie model number) and what lens you have to fit over...

sorry i'm seriously asking for rudimentary advice.
>> Anonymous
>>88504

You'll need the P System if you're going to go 77mm though.

http://www.cokin.com/ico2-p1.html
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
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>>88506
i use an A series holder and i have a 52mm and 62mm ring (all of my lenses aren't above 62mm except for one)

Pic: taken with digital with Cokin 124 Gradual Tobacco T1 (as i remember it)

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>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88507

cool... to avoid vignetting should go for the 82mm holder?
>> Anonymous
>>88508
You should've used a colder toned filter.

and resized the picture, too
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>88509
its one type of holder (A, P, Z-pro, X-pro) but different types of rings.
if you get an 82mm ring, then you cant screw it onto your lens silly.
the P system will suffice upto a lens of 82mm filter mount. thus it will be fine on your 77mm when using a 77mm ring on the P holder.
The P holder with the approperate rings will fit every size from 48mm upto 77mm.
Where as the A system with the rings will only go upto 62mm as the filters are physically 67mm wide (so a 67mm ring wont quite work).
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>88510
woooops, i thought i got it from my resized image folder, i was wondering why it was taking so long. sorry.
Thats direct from the camera, no PS or what not. Just the colours on Lake Qinghai are surreal.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88511

oh right, so i don't need to step up to the Z Pro.. just thought since the holder is bigger it'll give me more space and again lessen the likely hood of vignetting at 17mm.

You goto China much? I'm going back there again for a holiday in prob Feb.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>88514
P system should be fine, also filters are much more cheaper and common than Z-Pro.

I'm in china every year, hope to go back for chinese new year with my partner to her parents again in Henan.
Where are you going?
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88518

I'm taking my lady on a round trip this time.

I got family in Zhejiang and Shanghai so definitely going there for party time anyway.

Wanna got Qingdao to see friends, Beijing, Chongqing and hopefully Tibet and Xian.

I've never really travelled extensively throughout, kinda stuck to the Southeast coast.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
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>>88691
i've been to all those places, but traveling to xizang (tibet) isn't for the weak hearted. Make sure you and your lady are fit enough to handle the constant high altitude. I also strongly recommend NOT to fly there, but to take the train or bus as it gives you much much more time to self adjust to the extreme altitude.
Also dont feel ashamed to ask for a doctor there to treat for altitude sickness, my girl got rather sick there (i had a constant headache). we got a doctor in to give her some glucose IV and other things, she was right as rain the next day.

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>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>88783

hehehe, all good, i did Camp 3 with a few mates after high school graduation. It was a bit symbolic as it was in the 3 months before we started uni. The northeast side upto Advanced BC was tough but we were all fit. I use to be state athletics.

If i ever get back in tiptop shape i'll make a try for the camp 4 and beyond.

Thanks for the tip on the airplane though, That's a really good point as the lady's immune system recently took a battering... but honestly i'm not entirely sure if i want to spend 34 hours in a stinking train. :D
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>88783
>>88787
When I went to Tibet we flew into Lasha then bussed down to Nepal on the way out. It took me only afew hours to ajust to the altitude (coming from sea level uk) but my folks were knocked out for at least a day. If you fly be prepared to spend the first two days doing nothing on arival to Tibet, but then if you're flying from altitude in china already you might be fine.

PS if you take pictures of prayer flags n post em here i'll kill ya.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
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>>88826


Prayer flags? like these i took?