ND Grad filters with Xpan II

[Magnas]

I've had my Xpan for a couple of months now but only found this site this evening. First impressions are great.

My question relates to accurate placement of ND Grad filters. I used some for the first time this weekend but haven't had the film processed yet so I don't know how accurately I was able to position them. Anybody have any tips? I've read that it is critical with the diaphragm stopped right down.

 

[MP Guy]

If you are using the 45mm and shoot at f8 or higher, you will not need the nd filter. However, anything less than that and you will. As far as placement goes, I use the ND fileter made for the xpan which is a PERFECT solution to the fall off at the edges. You lose 1 stop with it but it makes a world of a difference. I would recommend spending 200.00 on one and seeing great results.

By the way, welcome onboard and hope you register soon I could always use more xpan folks to share my stuff with 🙂

 

[Magnas]

Thanks Jorge. I just tried to register. We'll see if I did it right.

I was actually meaning how to align an ND Grad filter for bringing down the brightness of, for example, a bright sky. These are the square or rectangular filters with half ND/half clear that fit on external filter holders.

Funny you should mention the ND centre filter though. I have literally just bought one after finding I couldn't really live without one. Haven't any results to show yet though. I only fitted it on that last roll and it isn't back from the lab yet. Cost £180 - sigh!

I'll try to post a pic that will show badly I needed it. 😱)

 

[Tom_W]

Lee Frost has just release a book walled panoramic photography and in it it discusses the placement of Graduated ND's on the Xpan ... He appears to get good results.

Maybe work nipping down to the local book store and having a look..

T

 

[schaubild]

Very, very tricky to position/align the horizon and the filter. The chance for ruining a shot was too high for me, gave up with the XPan.
Second issue: normally these filters have the split right through the center, so you will be forced to compose your image exactly that way. With the 1:3 image ratio this limits quite a lot.

With the Alpa and ground glass the whole thing is quite different, goof proof.

 

[Tom_W]

I use both the hard and soft lee grads with my 617, I would imagine the hard grad would be difficult on the Xpan, however if youput a piece of grease proof paper accross the back, but it on B, And them move the hard grad down marking the position on the filter holder with respect to position on the grease proof - fiddly but not impossible--- that said I will be sticking to the soft grad 😀 .

Also 21 shots instead of 4 is a bonus for playing around...


T

 

[Filmboy]

If using a hard grad you could try opening up a bit, as it will reduce the depth of field, presumably making the grad line less distinct, and therefore less noticeable on the image as such.

Or at least that's advice somebody once gave me—sounds reasonable, but I've never really tested it.