Singh-ray: Soft GND vs Reverse GND

<p>Hi guys</p>

<p>I'm just starting to build up my filter collections and I was wondering what peoples thoughts are on the Soft GND vs the Reverse GND... The Reverse GND makes a lot of sense but is practical and is it worth getting?</p>

<p>Also is it a case of one vs the other or would you have like a 2 and 3 stop Soft GND and then a 2 stop Reverse GND...</p>

<p>Cheers<br>

Anthony</p>

<p>Both are important filters for landscape, and you should also get GND hard edge filters, that, if not more, at least are equally important as those soft edge filters. By the way, Singh Ray are very good of making GND and reverse GND filters, though their prices are higher than other brands.</p>

<p>The following photo used a 3-stop Singh Ray reverse GND:<br>

<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hkZx5v7Yh6w/SaiEN7vPuJI/AAAAAAAADpI/Iln64K3Dir0/s720/entrance-rework-print.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="480" /></p>

<p>Thanks for the info...<br /> <br /> If I was trying to setup the base set of Graded (soft/hard) and/or Reverse Graded ND filters for landscape work, what would you recommend that I get and in what stops... From the sounds of it I am guessing you are going to say, get Hard and Soft GND filters and Reverse GND filters. If so where and when would you use each, how often do you use each and what stops would you get for each.<br /> <br /> Also I get what you are saying about the Singh-day’s being expensive... but it is my understanding that they are the only ones who do Reverse GND filters, is that correct? Also in the others what brand would you recommend and what style/line (resin vs glass, normal vs pro line)?<br /> <br /> Cheers and thanks for the info<br /> Anthony</p>

<p>I have 1, 2, 3 stops GND both in soft and hard edge filters. 1-stop GND is not so often used, but sometimes using 1-stop could be crucial. 2,3-stops are most frequently used. I am planning to get 4-stops soft and hard GND as well. For Reverse GND, I only have 3-stop, I found it is possible to combine it with 1, 2 and 3 stop GNDs in many ways, so not really need to get 2 or 4 stops Reverse GND. But if money is not an issue, I would recommend to get both 3,4 stops Reverse GND.<br>

Only Singh Ray produces reverse GND. For GND, there are many other options. But I think Lee GND filters are equally good as Singh Ray's. But Lee only has 1, 2, 3 stop GND.</p>

<p>As far as your photography is concerned, you should not be looking at soft grads and reverse grads as alternatives. They do very different jobs. If you mainly photograph at the sea, or where horizons are quite level, you should prioritise hard edge filters. If you shoot mainly in the hills or mountains then you'll find soft edge more useful. If you do both then you end up with what the poster above and I have, which is a set of both. </p>

<p>Especially near sunset, the sky near the horizon is very much brighter than either the sky generally or the foreground, to the point that the scene often becomes unphotographable, especially with slide film or digital. Yet ND grads typically have a reducing nd. effect as you move closer to the horizon. This is what a reverse grad is for. </p>

<p>The point is made here by others and elsewhere by me that Singh Ray are expensive and that you might find other brands delivering the same benefits for less money as far as ND grads go.</p>

<p>Ok cool that makes sense... Only part that didn't really didn't click is where you were talking about the reasons for needing a reverse grad (i.e. reducing nd. effect as you move closer to the horizon)...</p>

<p>So if I am taking both the sea and mountains (i.e. straight horizons and not so straight horizons) I should probably get a set of both... Is the general consensus that you I would get a 1, 2 and 3 stop in each?</p>

<p>Also as far as 4 stops is concerned, it is my understanding that you can just stack a 1 to the 3 to make a 4, or does this give a different effect again?</p>

<p>Also, look at getting a 3 (and possibly a 4) stop Reverse GND... If I get a couple of Reverse GND would this serve as an alternative in the short term to a set of hard GND. I would definitely get the set of soft GND but can the Reverse GND serve as an alternative to the hard GND for a while?</p>

<p>Also is there much of a difference between glass and resin? I know there is a bit of a cost difference... but is there much of a photo quality difference?</p>

<p>Lastly, all of my lens are 77mm what size filter should I be looking at? As in the P-size or would I need to go up...</p>

<p>Cheers guys and thanks for your help.<br>

Anthony</p>

<p>Any finial thoughts on this???</p>

<p>77mm diameter lens should fit the P type holder fine (able to fit to 82mm thread) only concern is with small focal lengths vignetting may occur. If your not using very wide angle lens often P type should do. If you have the money hard and soft sets of three (.03, .06,.09) would be ideal but .06 soft edge and .09 hard seem to fit its uses best. .09 (3 stop) hard edge will work for sunsets as well.</p>

I have 2 and 3 stop GND for landscape. I could not do without them. Looking to get the reverse GND. my filters from breakthrough tech.