Filters - round or square?

[mikey__S]

Just looking into filters (the graduated neutral density type) at the moment. I was thinking about a B+W circular filter for my 17-55mm f2.8 canon, but recently came across the square filters attached by filter holders. These seem a lot cheaper - could get a lot more filters for my money. Anyone have any experience / advice on this subject?

Done a bit of searching here and elsewhere but not found much useful advice on this subject.

[StuBill]

Lot's of advice, opinions to be had on filter systems and the merits/drawbacks of each........
Basically though - if you go for a screw in round ND graduated - you have no flexibility to move the filter up and down so you are always fixed where you place the horizon in your frame (assuming landscape work).
With a square system - you can move the filter up and down in the holder, giving you more compositional freedom.
Hope that helps you.

[MarkOne]

+1

[jlbatty]

+2

[mikey__S]

Lot's of advice, opinions to be had on filter systems and the merits/drawbacks of each........
Basically though - if you go for a screw in round ND graduated - you have no flexibility to move the filter up and down so you are always fixed where you place the horizon in your frame (assuming landscape work).
With a square system - you can move the filter up and down in the holder, giving you more compositional freedom.
Hope that helps you.

Thanks StuBill. I read that in practice this doesn't actually matter too much because the gradual fading of the ND filter means the circular filters will work perfectly well in most situations. This site proved helpful (found this after posting above) Graduated Neutral-Density Filters (Grads).

I was originally attracted to the square filters because of this article My Landscape Kit. The Cokin square filter option seemed a lot more reasonable price wise than the Tiffen 77mm 0.6 ND Grad filter I was considering. However, the above article by Ken Rockwell implies that the Cokin filters result in colour casting. I also worry about the practicality of the square filters. I am an amateur enthusiast, not a professional landscape photographer, so I want to be able to quickly attach a filter, take a few shots and then get on with whatever else I happen to be doing. Aren't the square filters a bit fiddly? I think that they might work out more expensive because I will have to get a bigger camera bag to house them in!

[StuBill]

No worries Mikey, sounds like you are answering your own questions as to what you will feel most comfortable with and will work best for you.
On this one ocassion - I do actually agree with something Mr K. R'well says, that Cokin filters can give you a distinct colour cast, particularily if you stack more than one filter in the holder.
Might be also worth mentioning that Cokin went into administration a while back and are no more, but I am sure there are still plenty to be had.
Good luck with it all.

[Alun]

For what it's worth, Mikey, I'd definitely go for rectangular/square slot ins. You can keep the filter holder attached to the front element and simply drop in the required filter positioning it exactly where it's needed. If you are taking a seascape in portrait orientation with a w/a lens a circular filter simply won't be as versatile as a drop in ND grad where careful adjustments can be made. Cokins do leave a colour cast but Hitech filters are great value, robust and having used Cokins for a few years before discovering Hitech, are a superior product. A circular filter still has to fit in a plastic case of some sort and is, imo, more bulky than a drop in filter in a cloth pouch. However, at the end of the day, it is what you're happy with, so good luck and I hope whatever you get does the job for you.
Alun

[mikey__S]

ooh, like the sound of those hitech filters. Very reasonably priced too. And you think there is less colour cast with these filters than the Cokin?

I was trying to work out why you might want the more expensive 100mm over the 85mm system. The main lens I would use my filters on would be Canon EFS 17-55 f2.8 USM - which is 77mm diameter. Would the 85mm be okay for this? What would be the advantage of the 100mm?

Many thanks for your help

[Piano]

Alun - I love Hitech filters but I have reservations about the 3.0ND. I have just returned 2 of them because of a really heavy magenta cast and I've gone for something else which I'm hoping to try out across the weekend at the Tyne get together. I hasten to add that my normal 0.6 and 0.9 filters are superb.

[Alun]

Nige - I seldom use a ND filter only grads and let the low light do the work for me iykwIm.
Mikey - I use the 100mm filters because i have an 83mm front element on my 16-35F2.8L which is used on a full frame sensor. This means that it's as wide as a 10mm on a cropped sensor. I therefore have to use a 100mm to avoid vignetting. 85mm on a cropped sensor with a wide angle adapter/ holder will be fine at 17mm. If you think, however, that you may someday opt for a FF sensor then go for the 100mm. Not that much difference in price.
You would need Hitech 100 w/a adapter ring - £26, Hitech 100mm 2 slot w/a holder - £46, set of three soft grads - 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 - £59 for the set and a real bargain.
Here is a link:
Hitech filters
HTH
Alun

[mikey__S]

Many thanks for your advice guys. I am happy with my EOS 550D cropped sensor at the moment - this was my first SLR + was bought just less than a year ago. However, I could see me wanting a full frame sensor in the future, and as you say, there is not much difference in price between 85 and 100mm filters.

From what I understand the 0.6 is the most useful - I was wondering if I really need a set or do most of you find you only really use the 0.6?

[Piano]

0.6 is a good starting point Mikey but of course it depends how much you think you're going to use them and whether you can get a better deal on a set than a single?

[vault]

I've just got a set of Hitech 85mm ND Grad filters, 0.3, 0.6 & 0.9 from Teamworkphoto for £30 + VAT + £3.95 delivery

[mikey__S]

hey vault, after a lot of consideration and a lot of useful advice from this forum I think I will do the same (ie will ask wife to buy for birthday) Hope to have them in action early April.

Vault - will you post some of your images using the new filters - just to tantalise me with the possibilities while I wait for my birthday to come round?? ;)

[vault]

Vault - will you post some of your images using the new filters - just to tantalise me with the possibilities while I wait for my birthday to come round?? ;)

Will do, when we actually get some sunshine to use 'em for