Graduated ND filter on digital M

[MacSpikes]

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I would really like to try a graduated ND filter on my ND for landscape photography. I just tried to find one on the internet in 39mm and they are nowhere to be found. Maybe they are special order only. Of course one could apply an ND filter during PP, but I would like to keep work afterwards as simple as possible. The Lee filter system looks fab too, but I want something light and simple.

 

I mainly use a 35mm summicron for landscape and I had the following idea. The lens hood has a clip-on cap. Wouldn't it be logical to have a filter that can be clipped on the hood just like the cap? Does anyone know if such a solution exists? If not: where can I buy a glass ND grad filter in E39 size? Preferably a source in Europe.

 

Thanks for helping me out.

[andybarton]

You can't use a screw in grad filter, as you have no way of knowing whether the grad will be in the right orientation when it's tight in the lens. That's why all grad filters slip into a frame so that you can rotate them and slide them up and down to get to the right place.

 

Do Lee or Cokin not do a 39mm adaptor?

 

Ed: Cokin do: http://www.cokin.fr/ico2-p1.html#1

 

Lee only go down to 49mm

 

(It is unusual to use a grad filter on an M camera, that's why)

[C_R]

I would try the Lee Filters RF75 Rangefinder Holder System - this seems to be what you are are looking for.

Personally, I found the Lee too much stuff, too large, and too expensive.

 

For my Elmarit 28, I have a B+W 2stop grad ND (25%), 49 mm on a 39 > 49 mm step up ring. Shades the upper third, often ok for composition. And I have two custom made screw-on grad NDs, made from cheapo 39 mm UV filter and my 84x 120 mm Singh-Ray Galen Rowell 2 f-stop hard grad ND Filter (cost me 5€ at m yoptician to cut out two 39 mm glasses, one for the upper third, and one filte rfor the lower third horizon line).

Orientation is easy, the "UV" mark works as guide.

 

For me, this is more fun to work with screw-on grads, no viewfinder blocking and less fumble with holder etc. (The Singh Ray could be sacrified, because I sold all my Canon stuff...)

[andybarton]

That's very interesting

 

Obviously you can't adjust the position of the graduation start if you use a screw in filter. Does the split always end up horizontal?

[C_R]

Obviously you can't adjust the position of the graduation start if you use a screw in filter.

 

Yes, I have two filters, one for upper third, one for lower third horizon.

 

Does the split always end up horizontal?

Yes, if you know where the "UV" mark is. I asked my optician to put the glass into the position with the UV mark perpendicular to the transition, so in landscape orientation I have it on top. Otherwise, I screw it 90 deg back

[MacSpikes]

Thanks for all the comments. I am a bit confused about the screw in filters. As far as I know the ND grad filters are a rotating kind, just like polarizers. That would make sense. The self made versions sound interesting too!

[k-hawinkler]

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Before thinking about investing in a Lee or Cokin filter system, I decided to first try out a simpler but less flexible one. I got the 77 and 55 mm Tiffen Digital HT Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.6 (2-Stop) Multi-Coated Glass Filter. They also make 82, 72, 67, 62, and 52 mm filters of the same kind.

 

I originally got the 77 mm filter for my Nikkor lenses which have 77, 72, and 52 mm filter sizes. With very inexpensive step-up rings I can use the 77 mm on all the lenses that have a filter thread.

 

My Leica lenses have the following filter sizes 39, 46, 49, 55, and 67 mm.

Some Leica lenses, that I don't have, require larger filter sizes, namely 24 Summilux ASPH 72 mm, 18 Super-Elmar ASPH 77 mm, and the 50 Noctilux Aspherical and 21 Summilux ASPH 82 mm.

 

Both the WATE and the MATE have a special adapter that brings their filter size from 49 to 67 mm. I use my WATE with a step-up ring from 67 to 77 mm and the 77 mm Tiffen filter.

 

With step-up rings I tried my other Leica lenses on the 77 mm Tiffen but that configuration was blocking the M9 viewfinder way too much. On these lenses I now use the 55 mm Tiffen filter with step-up rings. This particular filter size is also only 3 mm larger then the 52 mm Nikkor filter size. So, the 55 mm Tiffen is also used for those lenses.

 

Once you attach the Tiffen filter, it allows you to rotate the filter to position the transition from clear to dark glass. What one cannot do with this type of filter is to move the filter up and down. The Lee and Cokin systems would give you that freedom.

 

So, if I had to start from scratch I probably would get 82 and 55 mm filters and step-up rings. That would keep my options open for the different size Leica and Nikkor lenses that I might be interested in.

 

Here are some recent images taken with the M9, 50 Summilux-M ASPH, and the Tiffen filter:

 

http://winklers.smugmug.com/KHW/Pics-by-Date/2010-01-02-Meditation-Point-l/10933643_hNGNE#763703050_bs3tx

[tdtaylor]

I took a $6 55-77mm step up ring and easily machined it on woodworking equipment to look like this:

 

http://www.photoequip.net/_images/fvpair800.jpg

 

Then I added a 39-46 and 46-55 for 5 and 6 dollars more. Now I use it with my 77 polarizer, ND filter and 1/3 split grad so I can use it with my Nikon equipment- one set of filters is nice, and for the polarizer you can see it through the viewfinder.

 

I'd take a picture but it looks just like the filter from photequip.

[k-hawinkler]

I took a $6 55-77mm step up ring and easily machined it on woodworking equipment to look like this:

 

http://www.photoequip.net/_images/fvpair800.jpg

 

Then I added a 39-46 and 46-55 for 5 and 6 dollars more. Now I use it with my 77 polarizer, ND filter and 1/3 split grad so I can use it with my Nikon equipment- one set of filters is nice, and for the polarizer you can see it through the viewfinder.

 

I'd take a picture but it looks just like the filter from photequip.

 

Congratulations. You saved yourself over a hundred bucks. I have seen their web site Accessories from PhotoEquip before but still think, the $120 they ask for, is a bit much. The adapters for the WATE and MATE work similarly but seem to be different enough on the lens' end - so one needs both.

 

Ever thought about going into the machining business yourself? If the price were right, I would order a copy or two.

 

Thanks.

[tdtaylor]

Congratulations. You saved yourself over a hundred bucks. I have seen their web site Accessories from PhotoEquip before but still think, the $120 they ask for, is a bit much. The adapters for the WATE and MATE work similarly but seem to be different enough on the lens' end - so one needs both.

 

Ever thought about going into the machining business yourself? If the price were right, I would order a copy or two.

 

Thanks.

 

The difference in mine is after I machined it (3/8" router bit with a bearing on a router table after drilling a 3/8" hole on a drill press), I had to paint it black, so it is not anodized. And these guys are the cheapest- I think Leicagoodies has one for $175. The concept works fairly well, you just have to watch for light coming in from behind. I almost machined it with only 100-120 degrees of opening, but I found that such a partial slot would end up in different locations with the various step up rings to 55mm.

 

And I already have a day job. I retire in a couple years- maybe a new part time job .

[LMBSGV]

I use a 52mm B&W with a 39-52mm step-up ring from HeavyStar (also a great source for cheap 39mm lens caps):

 

New 39-52mm Step up Ring 39mm-52mm E39-52 for Leica