Hoya HMC ND Filters

Jeapesy · #1 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 01:08 PM

I'm fairly new to photography and am teaching myself the ropes. I orignally bought a Canon 450D with the 18 - 55mm lens and thought it would be able to pick up all details in all scenarios. But i've discovered it's not as simple as this and digital cameras do have their limitations. For instance when taking sunset/ sunrise photography, details can be lost in the foreground but when you change the exposure to counter act this the beautiful colours in the sky are "blown out", then setting a middle exposure doesn't work either as nothing looks good.

So i've done a bit of research and i'm now looking to buy a set of ND filters for waterfall & sunrise/sunset photography and wondered if anyone uses the Hoya range or has an advice on their quality?

I was looking to get the HMC series, probably a HD4 & HD8.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Paul

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 01:15 PM

I just use a UV filter, mainly as a protection for the glass. You can do all sorts of adjustments with a good software package like Photoshop CS4 (expensive) Photoshop Elements (reasonable) or similar software.

Jeapesy · #3 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 01:31 PM

Thanks ron,

I do plan to purchase a good editor at some point (probably elements) however my aim is to try and get my photos almost as near to perfect in camera and keep editing to a minimum.

cheers
Paul

Richard G. · #4 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:18 PM

No experience of the Hoya's Paul, but they're a reputable brand. I assume you're talking about graduated ND filters and not just ND filters? Very different beasts and it's the grads you'll be needing?

I have a set of Lee grads, but to be honest, I can't remember the last time I used them. Much better results from using multiple exposures and combining later in software (google High Dynamic Range or HDR).

What size are the Hoya's?
Only thing to be careful with is that you get pretty big filters/holder, or you'll find they start to appear as dark corners in your pitures at the widest end of lens. I'd suggest 100mm filters for an 18mm lens.

Lancashire Lad · #5 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:53 PM

Normal ND filters won't really solve your problem Jeapsey, as they affect exposure over the whole of the photo.

What you really need is a graduated ND filter, which holds back light from only half ofthe photo. This will allow you to have more exposure on the foreground, while holding bck light (and preventing over-exposure and loss of colour), in the sky.

See the info on this link. Graduated Neutral-Density Filters (Grads)

(There is a good deal of other useful info on the site)

Regards
Mike.

Jeapesy · #6 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:54 PM

Just did a google search on HDR and it is very interesting and certainly produces some amazing photos!! But i was hoping to develop my in camera technique first then move onto editing as it's a lot to take in. However after reading other articles in photography magazines and now that info on HDR i feel the need for a decent photo editor may soon be upon me.

I was indeed refering to graduated nd filters. The hoya firters are circular screw in filters much like a polarising filter. I was looking at the 52mm to fit my lenses.

Jeapesy · #7 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Normal ND filters won't really solve your problem Jeapsey, as they affect exposure over the whole of the photo.

What you really need is a graduated ND filter, which holds back light from only half ofthe photo. This will allow you to have more exposure on the foreground, while holding bck light (and preventing over-exposure and loss of colour), in the sky.

See the info on this link. Graduated Neutral-Density Filters (Grads)

(There is a good deal of other useful info on the site)

Regards
Mike.

thanks for the link mike this looks like it's got a lot of good info for me to read through.

Richard G. · #8 (**permalink**) 26-05-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeapesy

I was indeed refering to graduated nd filters. The hoya firters are circular screw in filters much like a polarising filter. I was looking at the 52mm to fit my lenses.

They make screw-on grads?

That doesn't seem like a great idea to me. The whole point of grads is that you move them up/down or even tilt them so the graduation point sits accurately on the horizon. A screw in grad is going to severely limit your options here. Think you really need to be looking at square/oblong filters and a holder to fit your lens.