I'm currently interested mostly in nature shots, landscape shots to be specific. And of course, I always have the problem (since I really have no filters at the moment) where I can't get the sky and ground evenly exposed. Either the ground is pitch black with the sky exposed correctly, or the ground is exposed correctly and the sky is completely white. There's some middle ground, of course, but nothing that makes me particularly happy.

It seems what I need are graduated neutral density filters. Course, finances aren't the best, so I wanted to ask if anyone had any suggestions on what I should get. Is Cokin what I should be looking at? Or is there something good, but relatively cheap, that I should be looking for instead?

Thanks.

-Melen

I'm no expert on filters. I will assume you are using a UV filter as a matter of course. I would suggest a decent circular polarizer as well. I know Cokin is a good name and has been around a while. My filters are either Sigma, Hoya or Tiffen. I think quality wise they are all decent and all around the same quality. I see the graduated NDs on Amazon for around $20.

What time of the day do you shoot?

Usually a couple hours before sundown.

-Melen

I use crl polarized filter for all my landscape, or outdoor subject ( resent shoots on power poles and lines) even if it is cloudy. I am very pleased with the color quality and deepness. Very good for water reflection as well. Mine is called Fotar ( cheepest in australia) but I would go with a Hoya or Tiffen as Kort sad it!

seeya Tunde

If you´re looking for a graduated density filter then i definitly suggest Cokin. The fact that you can slide that piece of glass up and down allow you more flexibility in composing your shot. Depending on what diameter you´re going for they can be quite reasonable in price. I´m sure there are other manufacturers out there that produce the same kind of glass-plate-filters as Cokin...but i can´t think of the name of them....can it be Lee filters? :huh: Well something like that.

Other than that...i´ve tried different types of filters in the past. And even though Hoya has great rep...i don´t think they´re worth the price to be honest. I´ve used filters from Soligor that has been just as good and at one third of the cost.