ND grads

[Boy]

would you guys reccomend an ND grad of 1 or 2 stops? promarily i am looking to enhance those dreary days where the sky is very bright. would 2 stops be too "heavy" of an effect? i am thinking 1 stop would be best for most applications.
any input from people who use them would be great!
thanks

 

[Barry_S]

Re: ND grads

For an overcast sky, an ND grad isn't going to put detail where it doesn't exist. I find a combination of 2-stop and 3-stop ND grads is pretty useful and they can be used together for 5 stops. A 1-stop grad would be a pretty subtle effect.

 

[Boy]

Re: ND grads

thanks barry, so you wouldn't think that a 2 stop ND grad is overkill at all? i am just reading the B+W handbook and they offer a 1 and 2 stop version. they say the 2 stop filter produces "quite dramatic effects" whereas they mention that the 1 stop filter "is the ideal amount."
i thought 2 stop would be best but after reading that i am sort of apprehensive, i don;t wnat to buy a filter that i will only use a couple of times because it's effect is too dramtic.
hmm anyone else's input?

 

[Boy]

Re: ND grads

and while i'm on thetopic, would you reccomend the B+W screw mount, or (for roughly the same price) the cokin P mount with some other brand like hitech? i was thinkign that the adjustable horizon may be an advantage with the cokin setup (although the resin vs. glass isn't too appealing)