Using 4x5.65" ND grad filter in field vs post production filter

[lonewolf2koc@hotmail.com]

I'm still in 2/3" world and ran into an Chrosziel 805 mattebox that's not being utilized. A decade ago, this was the format of choice. Are the mattebox and 4x.565" grad filter still viable considering there are many post production tools that can simulate grad? Somehow the optical filter method gives a cleaner look than post production.

I also have blue, & sunset grads which makes the sky and sunset look really dramatic. A plain & weak blue sky comes alive with blue grad. It's limited to static shot vs pan or tilting. But when shot and composed properly, it's pretty good. Literally processed in the cam.

And of course the circular polarizer. This is something that can't economically replicated in post production software - especially water and glass scenes.

 

[Greg_E]

You can not remove over exposure (blown highlights) with software, if the information is gone, it's gone. Therefor the need for ND and grad. ND has not been replaced by software. Other types of filters can be argued all day long, but certain things are still bet left to optical filtration before detection.

 

[Grug]

Photography is still the key. You have to get the capture right, post can only put icing on the cake.

 

[starcentral]

I can almost always spot a ND grad filter used in-camera that overlap buildings of different heights, or when camera moves/pans etc.. I guess it depends on the scene but I think they are so awful that I could rarely bring myself to use them.

If you protect your highlights and especially if you are shooting RAW you can recover a lot in post, that's what I'd be inclined to do. power window or custom windows all the way for me! :beer:

 

[Run&Gun]

I can almost always spot a ND/color* grad filter used in-camera that overlap buildings of different heights, or when camera moves/pans etc..

You mean like EVERY episode of CSI:Miami.

*my addition

 

[Bern Caughey]

I can almost always spot a ND grad filter used in-camera that overlap buildings of different heights, or when camera moves/pans etc.. I guess it depends on the scene but I think they are so awful that I could rarely bring myself to use them.

Attenuating filters are similar to ND Grads, but much more subtle as the gradation occurs over the entire filter instead of at a line, so often a better choice if you need to pan, & tilt.

https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/filters/ND_AttenuatingFilter.pdf

 

[puredrifting]

Attenuating filters are similar to ND Grads, but much more subtle as the gradation occurs over the entire filter instead of at a line, so often a better choice if you need to pan, & tilt.

https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/filters/ND_AttenuatingFilter.pdf

Thanks for the link Bern, I have never seen these or heard of these. Pretty cool. Does anyone besides Schneider make them?

 

[Bern Caughey]

I believe Tiffen, & Format, sell similar filters called Blenders, but never used them.

 

[Bern Caughey]

Seems Tiffen calls the square versions Attenuator(s), & have released a circular series named Blender(s).

http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/09/...bright-skies-when-your-camera-is-on-the-move/