Product and Tech Information Graduated ND Filters

Graduate To Better Skies

    Tiffen's glass ND gradual filters have been our first choice for grads when comparing price and value. We have liked them now for over 23 years. They became available in the early 80s in the P 85mm size. Tiffen calls the graduals Colorgrad's and they come both in round screw-in, glass P series (2mm thick) for the Cokin P holders, 4x4, 4x6 and larger sizes for MPTV. The round screw-in type filters are only available in three colors, blue, sunrise (amber tone) and the only ND 0.6 (2 stops) Now in 2012 in Tiffen HT multi coated are the only ND gradual filter in the world with MC coated optics, In sizes 49mm to 82mm.To Tiffen Filter Round Graduals The 2-stop version 0.6 is the best one to start with from any of the camera filter companies. The glass P series come ND 0.3 1 stop, ND 0.6 2 stop and ND 0.9 3 stops all only with a Soft Edge, The 4x4 4x5.65 and larger sizes come both in a Hard feathered Edge or the classic Soft Edge. All Tiffen filters are made in USA   To Tiffen P Series

   Lee Camera Filters 4x6 graduals, New starting in 2011, Lee ND 150mm x 170mm for the new Super Wide Lee filter holder the Lee SW150 for the Nikon only available in kit form with a Lee 150x170mm ND 0.6 SE
The Lee FK 4x4 holder combined with Lee 4x6 ND gradual filters is the perfect solution to any wide angle lens with no compromise of quality Lee 4x6 Graduals Filters each in Hard Edge and Soft Edge in many grades or in ND 4x6 gradual 3 Lee camera filter set all Lee camera filters are hand made so delivery form 2010 into 2012 has been limited and in very short supply allow ample time to get the filters and Lee holder tools you need

Hitech ND Gradual filters are optical resin and are available in Cokin P size and 4x5 and 4x6. The Hitech ND filters come in 1,2,3 and 4 stop, both in a hard or soft edge. The Hitech hard edge is about the same as Tiffen's SE edge (standard edge). Hitech also offers a very high quality holder for P series and 4x5 size ND gradual filters. Hitech was the first company to make special wide angle mounting rings and holders for ultra wide angle lenses. Hitech also offers 13 colors of graduals, in grades #1, 2 and 3 in both sizes, 3 styles of two color grads, #1, 2 or 3 grades. Hitech for 2012 has introduced to the US market several Hitech ND Gradual filter kits. Hitech also offers the combo of the two color blended graduals, again 1,2 and 3 stops. In total 59 creative choices of colors in gradual filters. Hitech filters are made in the UK - Great Britain, In 2011 Hitech had added reverse ND graduals Also coming in the spring of 2012, super wide holders in Hitech 165mm wide size with a very complete line of filters to match including reverse grads and up to 10 stop ND solid filters To our listing of the complete Hitech ND Gradual Filters Product Lines.or just the ones that fit in the Cokin P Holders To our listing of Hitech Filters 85/P series

    All P series 85 series type gradual filters cover lenses up to 82mm but not wide angle lenses 4x4 100mm holders are best for wide angle lens, using different adapter rings with the same Cokin or Hitech filter holder. The filters are 1/2 graduated in ND or color. The best feature of the P 85 series and larger rectangles like 4x5 or 4x6, is the ability to slide the filter up and down in the filter holder. This gives you the most creative control over the scene you wish to graduate (control brightness). On lenses 67mm and smaller the regular, Tiffen at 100mm long and Hitech P series, 110 mm long,  work very well. Above 67 the 100mm long filters are still ok, you just, do not have as much slide ability, example with a 77mm lens filter size you have 23mm above or below center to adjust the graduals edge. Tiffen does offer an PXL extra long version for the P series holders at 165mm long. Now in 2012 many choices are offered in 4x5 and 4x6 size filter

New for 2012 Schneider 4x4 Filter holders for glass 4x4 or 4x6 gradual filters ,Schneider 4x6 glass Gradual ND filters in filter kits with holders with 4x4 Lee FK holders and Lee 77mm w/a rings

   The Cokin gradual gray's are not our 1st choice because the Cokin's have never been as neutral (sometimes referred to as clean) as the others. That's why Cokin calls the filters gray graduals, A noteworthy Cokin filter is the Cokin Sunset grads (197 or 198), because the Cokin sunsets are the only gradual filter that the complete filter is washed over with the burnt orange color along with the gradual density on top. All other sunrise sunset grad types are clear on the bottom. The Cokin grad colors are a very good choice for the price and color selection. Cokin's  are made in France.  To Cokin P and Z Pro Series

    B+W round graduals are made only from optical resin. Available in 2 types of gray #501 and #502 with screw-in brass F-Pro rotating mounts, 49mm - 82mm, The B+W's have a very feathered soft edge, the full ND 1 stop or 2 stop effect is, in the top 1/3 of the filter. Other colors are still available special order from Germany.

    A brand that, we do not sell, but is well known, is the Singh-Ray Galen Rowell grads. They are made of optical resin C39, NOT glass and expensive, The Lee or Hitech Gradauls are a much better value for the money.

01-31-2012