Grad ND hard or soft edge/Low contrast

[moe_snodgrass]

I've been trying to learn about filters, mostly for daylight exterior/available in the southwestern desert sun, dawn til dusk. 4x4 holders. I'm looking for a natural end result--no coloring or effects. Wow. This has not been easy so thanks in advance for your advise.

I think I need a set of .3, .6, .9 1.2 both NDs and grad NDs. In my case would they all get used about equally or will some just lay idle? For the regular NDs (not grads), when does one typically move from the employing the DVX's internal NDs to using the 4x4s? Is there some overlap? (In other words are there 2 that I don't need cause they are covered internally by the DVX?).

It seems obvious that the grad ND soft edge will look more natural while trying to neutralize the bright sky at the horizon. Is this correct? I can't really think of a use for the hard edge except for maybe architecture. Am I missing something with the hard edge?

Finally, I think I also need a set of low contrast filters to mitigate the contrast between very bright light and shadow. Formatt has filters that it calls "low contrast" but other mfgrs don't seem to have them by that name. Are they using some other name for their "low contrast" product? How many of the scale (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) do you think I would realistically need?

Thanks again for the advise. Practical info on filters is by far the hardest info to find.

-Snoddy

 

[Barry_S]

Re: Grad ND hard or soft edge/Low contrast

The cost of 4x4 filters adds up fast, so unless you have money to burn--I'd be conservative with the filters.  For a straight ND filter--*maybe* a 1-stop (.3) because there's a difference of 3 stops between the built-in ND filters and the 1 stop ND would allow you to be pickier about the aperture.  If you're looking to do rack focus effects at wide apertures in the desert sun--then maybe a 2 or 3 stop ND.  You can also probably get away with no additional ND filters--I've never felt a burning need for one.  A polarizer can act as a ND and it's a lot more useful of a filter.

For ND grads, I like a set of 2-stop (.6) and 3-stop (.9) soft edges.  Hard edge grads are more difficult to use and the effect is more obvious.  However, the definition of hard and soft edges varies by manufacturer.  

Low-contrast filters can have strange effects on video footage, so it's really personal preference here.  Overall, I'd say rent some filters first to see how you like them.  And also get a copy of Jarred's filter tests--well worth the money.