Need Advice on Graduated ND Filters

[miked4179]

I'm about to spend some dough on a few Graduated ND Filters but I'm still not sure who makes the best quality. I have a few L lenses and don't want to lose quality from a cheap filter. Price is always something being considered when purchasing anything but I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and get better quality. I'm trying to decide between:

Conklin, Heliopan, Tiffen, B+W and Lee

Anyone who uses any of these filters (hard & soft) please let me know what you think.

[Paul Iddon]

I don't use them (not a landscaper) but Lee are the tops, and B&W are reputedly very good. Also on these forums, many enthuse about High-Tec filters too.


Paul.

[miked4179]

From what people tell me Lee's are the top as well but expensive. Haven't really ever heard much about High-Tec, thanks for telling me about them, will have to look into them.

Thanks Paul.

[Alun]

I regularly use Lee and Hitech filters - both hard and soft. Lee are the best and you pay for it. Hitech are very competitive price wise and I find them excellent for landscape - they're used on virtually all my shots. Cokins didn't float my boat although I used them for several years. They scratch incredibly easily and i didn't like the colour cast they left. Hitech do leave a trace of magenta but if anything it actually enhances a landscape imo.
Alun
PS 0.6 and 0.9 soft transition are the ones I use most frequently and can be used in more than seascape scenario.

[miked4179]

Thanks Alun for all that info and your experience with using the Hitech filters and the trace you get with magenta. I think I'm going to probably get Lee's - I was just price checking on B&H, Adorama and my local camera store and they all sell a Lee filter kit which is pretty reasonably priced. I'd rather pay more and get better quality. Maybe I'll get one Hitech since they are very well priced and see how I like it. Who knows, everytime I go into a camera store with something in mind to buy other than lenses I always end up getting a big bag of goodies! Might be a smart idea if I just go in with cash and leave the credit card at home :)