ND Grad + M9

[Guest l34tz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi

 

This is my first post in this forum and I am sure, there are more to come.

 

I shoot landscape mainly, using Canon FF combined with Leitz/Leica R lenses (as Leica was unfortunately unable to produce the R10 and in the size of an R7). I am pondering on buying a M9 for a long time (I think the decision was taken the same long time ago but needs a more sophisticated basement *g*), but wondering, how the work with theneutral density grads would be. I would like to replace my Canon SLR by the Leica RF completely, thus narrowing down the nice set of lenses to just one or two for the RF - while storing all the SLR stuff (the lenses at least).

 

Does somebody use ND Grad filters on a M and could share the experiences of in the field usage, feasability, etc. with us/me?

 

Thanks a lot.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[01af]

This is not going to help you ... just a thought that occurs to me right now:

 

I have never used a gradual ND filter in 35 years of photography.

[andybarton]

Grad filters are much more difficult to use with an M because you are (obviously) not viewing through the lens. So, you have to guess where the grad is going to sit and kick-in.

 

The only advantage you have with an M9 over other Ms is that you can get instant feedback on where the grad begins, but whether this is very helpful in the field, I don't know.

[250swb]

Hi

 

This is my first post in this forum and I am sure, there are more to come.

 

I shoot landscape mainly, using Canon FF combined with Leitz/Leica R lenses (as Leica was unfortunately unable to produce the R10 and in the size of an R7). I am pondering on buying a M9 for a long time (I think the decision was taken the same long time ago but needs a more sophisticated basement *g*), but wondering, how the work with theneutral density grads would be. I would like to replace my Canon SLR by the Leica RF completely, thus narrowing down the nice set of lenses to just one or two for the RF - while storing all the SLR stuff (the lenses at least).

 

Does somebody use ND Grad filters on a M and could share the experiences of in the field usage, feasability, etc. with us/me?

 

Thanks a lot.

 

I never use them, its easier just to bracket a few shots and blend the images rather than use an ND Grad, and with much more control over the final result. It doesn't have to be the HDR route, just the top from one and the bottom from another if you want to keep it simple. And to be honest that is also the case even if you can see where the grad is lined up in a DSLR viewfinder, a bracketed set is much more flexible to use and control.

 

Steve

[colorflow]

Why not do it in PP?

[dave_d]

There is an ND Grad in Adobe Lightroom that works great so I see no need to put one in front of the lens.

[250swb]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

There is an ND Grad in Adobe Lightroom that works great so I see no need to put one in front of the lens.

 

Thats OK if your sky isn't blown out by overexposure, but it can't invent a cloud.

 

Steve

[Guest Linsengericht]

Does somebody use ND Grad filters on a M and could share the experiences of in the field usage, feasability, etc. with us/me?

 

I use them a lot.

 

Besides the obvious, the only specific rangefinder problems that I have noticed are:

 

1. Avoid filter holders with a "slot". This will cause visible reflections in some situations. Woraround: cover the slot with tape.

 

2. Same for lenses with white labelling. I had some cases like CV12mm with Cokin ND grad where the labelling of the lens showed up as a weak reflection. Workaround: paint with a black OHP pen.

[Guest Linsengericht]

1. Avoid filter holders with a "slot".

 

To avoid misunderstanding: I mean rangefinder filter holders like this

http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductImages/fullsize/leica_e67_filter_holder_m8.jpg

[C_R]

I find the Lee RF holder kind of cumbersome, and tried a workaround for those holder systems.

See an earlier discussion here

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/112635-graduated-nd-filter-digital-m.html

 

It is clear that a screw-on filter is not as flexible but I find two filters with the transition in upper third and lower third, resp., ok for most of my needs.

You cannot buy such an asymmetric grad ND. One solution for my 28 mm Elmarit Asph is a B+W grad ND, 49 mm diameter, with 39 > 49 mm step up ring. Transition is here in upper third, I have a two stop verison that works nicely when I want to mask the sky with a high horizon.

Another solution is a custom made grad ND, see here

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/110876-cv15-m9-custom-made-grad-nd.html

 

I use them quite often for landscape, especially after I got the hang of color correction with a white card. More or less all filters make some color shifts, and I made LCC profiles for Capture One Pro to correct those filter induced color casts, inclusive the red edges... Great function of Capture One, really.

 

Carsten

Leica M9 - a set on Flickr

[Guest l34tz]

Thanks a lot for all your responses.

 

I can not imagine proper landscape photography without the application of ND grads any more. It is so much more satisfactory to get a nice looking, perfectly exposed pictures strait out of the cam than having to combine multiple images first.

 

The bottom line based on this thread and the links to further information seems to me, that the usage of ND grads (e.g. Hightech 100) is possible, but in most times a trial and error approach.

 

That is why I just decided to not buy the M9 (it would never be an appropriate substitute for the SLR in terms of landscape photography) and wait for the M10, which will hopefully feature liveview and a durable paint ;-)