Hi Everyone.

I already own a set of Lee ND grads soft edge. I recently read on the B & H website that they recommend hard edge for 150mm and longer lenses and soft edge for the wider angles. No explanation is given as to why. On the other hand, Jeff at Badger Graphics told me that he can't remember ever selling a single hard edge ND grad. My question is, am I missing something by not having the hard edge filters ? I shoot 4x5 color landscapes and have lenses ranging from 75 to 360mm. Is it perhaps easier to see the proper filter positioning on the hard edge ? I use the Lee filter system. I just wanted some advice from experienced users before going to the expense of buying additional filters that I may not even need. Thanks in advance for your input.

-- Doug Meek (doug.meek@cardinal.com), April 09, 2002

Answers

In my opinion, the soft edge gives a better transition. With the hard edge and a tele lens, your transition would be soft also. If you were to use the hard edge with a wide angle, you would see a hard edge making it easier to see that you filtered and making the picture not natural. I think the repositional Lees are a great way to go. Eventually, you might have a large compliment of filters to do the things that you want... we as photographers are "collectors" of stuff so use what you have for the purpose it is made for and save to get more!

-- Scott Walton (walton@ll.mit.edu), April 09, 2002.

I use both a 2 stop soft-edge and a 3 stop hard-edge. I wouldn't recommend one over the other as both are used extensively, each depending of the situation. I use the 3 stop hard-edge more often with excellent result. I use them with any kind of lens as wide as 65mm. Most of the time I do not use the holder but carefully handhold the filter in front of the lens even for long exposures. I have found that it seems to help in making smoother transitions. These things are expensive but they are used often. I am planning on adding a 3 stop soft-edge to my arsenal and, may be, a 2 stop hard-edge. I sometimes combine my two filters for a more dramatic effect. The 3 stop hard-edge may seem odd because the transition is so abrupt but, believe me, there are many situations in nature where it can be used. I would recommend you to get one, you will be very surprised on how often you will use it.

-- Georges Pelpel (gpelpel@attbi.com), April 09, 2002.

Well, if you're talking about split neutral density filters (ignore me if you're talking about center filters), I use a 2 stop and 3 stop (often in combination) hard edge all the time. IMHO, Much better effect with clearly defined horizons than a soft edge. Soft edge is better for uneven horizons (physically, and lighting-wise). Good to have both kinds in your aresnal. Pete.

-- Pete chipman (chippete@yahoo.com), April 09, 2002.

I have found the following:

1. Singh-Ray makes the best ND filters on the market 2. You can get by with only 2 filters: 2-stop soft and 3-stop hard 3. Practice, practice, practice.

I leared the technique from Galen Rowell last fall on a 3-day workshop. There is a direct correllation to how 'hard' the grad appears on film, in relation f-stop and lens length combination. The longer the lens, given the same ND grad filter, the less 'hard' the line appears. Also, the smaller the f-stop, the more defined the line will be.

Practice, practice, practice.

-- Andy Biggs (abiggs@tvmcapital.com), April 09, 2002.

I second on Singh Ray.

And, if you're only going to one to start with (soft or hard), go with the hard first (3 stops) and get soft later. However, this is a general statement, as you might be shooting stuff that's more suited to a soft edge (I find myself using the hard edge, more often). As far as what lens to use, I can't argue with Galen's advice on the long lenses, but don't be afraid to use the hard edge on WA (in my experience).

Also, don't be afraid to combine them (2 stop plus a 3 stop), if the exposure range your trying to equalize is to wide for one filter.

-- Pete Chipman (chippete@yahoo.com), April 09, 2002.

I might point out that with LF, we typically stop down a lot. I would think that might cause LF users to favor the soft edge.

-- Noshir Patel (nosh@blackpiano.com), April 15, 2002.