landscape photography - filter questions

[15sunrises]

Finally made it out for my first weekend with my new (old) cameras, and tried

to get some shots out in the nature. While I can understand the

mistakes/problems that I had with framing and subject matter, I just really

wanted to try out my Praktica L cameras, test different exposures, etc. Turns

out that even the pictures that I thought were properly exposed, were still

undersaturated (in my mind), and getting up for the sunrise didn't work out as

planned, because the sky was totally blown out, with the foreground way too

dark. So, what a surprise, did some more research, and turns out that I need

to look into maybe getting some filters.

 

I've been hunting around the boards for some answers, and have found some, but

I still have a couple of questions. Here is what I have at the moment:

 

Praktica L camera (m42 mount)

Pentacon auto 1.8/50 lens

Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 3.5/135 lens

Jupiter-21M 4/200 lens

 

Now, for getting more saturation, from what I've read, a polarizing filter will

help, would it be possible to buy just one filter for the above setup, or do I

need to buy an individual one for each lens? Could anybody possibly recommend

one that doesn't make the effect too "kitchy"? =)

 

I've also looked into the graduated filters. I'm a big fan of

dusk/sunset/night/sunrise photography, and these definitely seem to help in

terms of keeping the exposure of the sky in check. Once again, can anybody

recommend a filter system that would help me out here? According to the

threads that I've found, the cokin's are "OK" but not great, but trying to find

hitech or lee filters here isn't going to be easy. I was also wondering what

kind of solutions I could look into for a graduated filter for hilly

countryside, rather than just flat horizons (the Czech Republic is hilly all

over the place). I'm guessing that I need a 'softer' graduation in order to

lessen the effect?

 

Lastly, in terms of b&w photography, it looks like a yellow or red filter will

add constrast, can I just get one that fits the m42 mount?

 

I guess my questions revolve around whether there are filter systems that I can

use with this older equipment. That has me pretty confused, and I haven't been

able to find any concrete answers ... I would also really hope to get some info

on what to buy.

 

Thanks again for all of the help, looking forward to your recommendations.

Hopefully I'll have some work to show for all your help soon.

[rdpufallphotography]

http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/praktica/filters.htm

might help you some when you go shopping around

 

I can't find if it has the front screw on mounts for filters. If it does hoya makes a real nice polarizer. You'll find that there's two types of polarizers right now, linear and circular. Linear is what film traditionally used but with the way digital technology's focuses they had switch them to circular. In theory, either type would be fine for you.

 

Also, most film has a sweet exposure spot. For better saturation and tones people under expose the film slightly.

[images_in_light_north_west]

Graduated Nuetral density in various stops, get at least 3.

[jeff_lundstrom2]

I am looking to buy my first set of graduated nd filters as well. A lot of people buy the Cokin P holder and lens adapter and then buy the 85mm HiTech or Singh-Ray Filters to fit (search on here for more info). Also, many folks choose the 100mm Lee system (holder, lens adapters, and filters). Cokin makes a 100mm holder as well (Cokin Z) which will fit any 100mm filter size. You can find these online at B&H. You can also visit the Cokin, Singh-Ray and Lee sites (Lee and Cokin both have good info on how the systems work). Singh-Ray site has a lot of useful info on how to use filters in the field (http://singhray.blogspot.com/).

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/6400/Filter_Systems_Square_Rectangular_Filters.html

 

http://www.singh-ray.com/

 

http://www.cokin.com/ico1-p1.html

 

http://www.leefilters.com/camera/

 

In terms of quality, Singh-Ray and Lee seem to be the best (and most expensive) with HiTech second and Cokin a distant third. Cokins Grad NDs are not truly neutral and color cast your images. You will find comments on here about their poor quality. In my research, I have read that the holders can cause vignetting if you shoot at focal lengths wider than 20mm. Cokin has recommendations for widest focal lengths for each of its holders. Lee does not seem to list any limitations other than to caution that vignetting can occur. Personally, I am leaning toward the Cokin P and the HiTech filters so I can get started and not break the bank.

 

FYI, Lee filters and holders seem to be out of stock at B&H and Adorama and just about everywhere else.

 

Good luck.

[crabseye]

Bracketing exposures and using HDR techniques. That provides an infinite variation in exposure adjustment and dynamic range. Filters are fixed stops, you have to change/adjust them in changing light, carry them around, etc.

 

Just something to consider.

[15sunrises]

I'm shooting film, so HDR isn't possible unfortunately, although it would make things easier. I'm definitely going for the Cokin P series mount, just looking for some decent landscape filters on a budget (around $200 is what I'm looking to spend, don't know if that's enough). Looks like I need:

 

- polarizing filter (49mm to cover 2 lenses)

- a warming filter

- a set of graduated filters (maybe even two sets, hard/soft?)

- then maybe a sunset/sunrise filter ...

 

Is this even possible to fit into my budget (not counting the mount)?

[15sunrises]

This actually looks like a good start:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COKIN-P-FILTER-SET-for-Landscape-Photography_W0QQitemZ320223424726QQihZ011QQcategoryZ30066QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[geoffm]

Dave, I agree. The Cokin set isn't all that bad for learning with, especially if you are on a budget. The higher quality filters are much more expensive. Don't buy round screw-in type graduated filters - they are very restrictive. Stick to the rectagular type. (Round filters are fine for other types, though (polariser, warming, etc.)

 

My first SLR was a Praktica LTL, which I used for 10 years. As a poor student I couldn't afford a Spotmatic, but I really came to love the East German monster. I've still got it in the cupboard, and take it out every now and then to enjoy its massive thumping shutter crash!

[geoffm]

Oh yeah, Cokin make a polariser to fit the P mount (it slips into the very narrow slot at the back of the mount. It's a fairly large and expensive piece of glass, but it saves buying separate filters for each of your lenses. I'm not sure which option would be the cheaper.