Graduated ND and circular polorizing filters: I am going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in July. I am using my Nikon d750 and the kit 24-120mm f4 lens. I am a newbie and need...

GLKTN Loc: TN

I am going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in July. I am using my Nikon d750 and the kit 24-120mm f4 lens. I am a newbie and need filter recommendations. Thanks.

Haydon

What's your budget?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Check out filters from Breakthrough Photography - precision manufactured for clarity and the highest quality.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Suggest something wider than your 24.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

For filters I'd recommend B+W. They are made from the finest quality materials.

I would avoid using a polarizer with wide angle lenses, as that will create uneven sky darkening. Graduated ND might prove valuable, but get high quality glass instead of plastic ones.
--Bob

GLKTN wrote:

I am going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in July. I am using my Nikon d750 and the kit 24-120mm f4 lens. I am a newbie and need filter recommendations. Thanks.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

I would agree with the Grad ND and forego the CP when using wide angle such as 24 mm. It hasn't been mentioned here but it is a good practice to purchase a filter in the size of your largest lens and then purchase step up rings so you can use the one filter on all your lenses. Much cheaper than purchasing a filter for each lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

GLKTN wrote:

I am going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in July. I am using my Nikon d750 and the kit 24-120mm f4 lens. I am a newbie and need filter recommendations. Thanks.

Take a look at some stitched panorama images. First, you'll find that you won't need anything wider than 24mm. Second, you'll appreciate the more natural perspective you'll get when you use 50mm and longer focal lengths. I typically use 85mm and longer for sweeping panos. Wide and ultra wide gives you too much sky and foreground that you'll have to crop out, leaving you with fewer pixels for your image.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

DeanS wrote:

Suggest something wider than your 24.

You can always take two overlapping images and make a panorama from them. Actually a better way because ultra wide angles distort the image.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

GLKTN wrote:

I am going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in July. I am using my Nikon d750 and the kit 24-120mm f4 lens. I am a newbie and need filter recommendations. Thanks.

I’m happy with the Marumi CP filters. Be sure to get a thin one. They have several qualities and prices. I’ve only used their best ones.

A soft transition graduated ND might be useful. Practice before you go. I tried borrowing one from a guy next to me there a couple of years ago. My results with it sucked.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

big-guy wrote:

I would agree with the Grad ND and forego the CP when using wide angle such as 24 mm. It hasn't been mentioned here but it is a good practice to purchase a filter in the size of your largest lens and then purchase step up rings so you can use the one filter on all your lenses. Much cheaper than purchasing a filter for each lens.

Except the step-up rings tend to get stuck. If you try that also buy a set of filter wrenches. They are cheap and can remove a lot of frustration. Especially with CPs where the front part rotates.

GLKTN Loc: TN

Haydon wrote:

What's your budget?

$100ish.

GLKTN Loc: TN

rmalarz wrote:

For filters I'd recommend B+W. They are made from the finest quality materials.

I would avoid using a polarizer with wide angle lenses, as that will create uneven sky darkening. Graduated ND might prove valuable, but get high quality glass instead of plastic ones.
--Bob

Thanks Bob. Around what I expected to pay.

GLKTN Loc: TN

Gene51 wrote:

Take a look at some stitched panorama images. First, you'll find that you won't need anything wider than 24mm. Second, you'll appreciate the more natural perspective you'll get when you use 50mm and longer focal lengths. I typically use 85mm and longer for sweeping panos. Wide and ultra wide gives you too much sky and foreground that you'll have to crop out, leaving you with fewer pixels for your image.

I have a Sigma 90mm macro f2.8. would that be better than my 25-120 f4? I also have a 50mm f1.8.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

GLKTN wrote:

I have a Sigma 90mm macro f2.8. would that be better than my 25-120 f4? I also have a 50mm f1.8.

You should bring them all. I wouldn’t get a CP for the 90mm.

The graduated NDs are rectangular so you can hold them in front of any lens. Or get a holder.

Your 50mm will likely take the sharpest images. You can take overlapping shots to later combine into panos.

A tripod is essential. And remote release helpful although you can use delayed release instead.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

I always use a CPL when shooting landscapes unless I am doing a panorama, where's there no filters. The Canyon in summer is hazy due to weather conditions, so a CPL is vital. The Grand Canyon offers sweeping vistas of the canyon and a "big" sky. A 3x ND grad would allow you to "dim" the sky and highlight the canyon itself. Stay away from cheap NDs, as they can add color cast to the sky.

Breakthrough's CPL is outstanding, but if you are on a budget, it is not for you. Look at Hoya as a place to start.