Can you stack a circular ND behind a square graduated ND filter holder?
Asked 11/14/2013
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2 answers
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I’m building a landscape setup with a Cokin Z-Pro holder, Lee graduated ND filters, and a screw-in Hoya ND16. My current workflow is slow: I screw on the solid ND first, then attach the holder adapter, mount the holder, and insert the grad filter. Because the solid ND is dark, I usually need to focus and compose before it goes on.
Is it practical to use the graduated ND in the holder first for composing, then add the circular solid ND afterward in front of or behind the holder? I’ve seen some people place a circular polarizer or ND together with a square filter system and want to know the best way to do this without making the setup awkward or causing vignetting.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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I can share with you what I did and what worked for me. It may not directly help you(or it might) but it may help others in a similar situation. I have a Canon full frame camera and my widest lens that I use with this setup currently is the Canon 17-40mm f/4 L.
Essentially what I did was purchase the standard Cokin P holder, modify it a bit, then position it directly on top of either a CPL or ND filter. Here is what I am talking about:
What I did was buy a 77mm circular polarizer as would normally fit my landscape lenses. Then I bought the Cokin P Holder, and removed 2 of the 3 slots by using a small saw and some other tools I had. Then I also enlarged the size of the middle whole of the holder so that it just perfectly fits snugly over the 77mm filter size. This allows me to position the CPL as desired, then simply add in the 85mm graduated neutral density filters and holder right over everything.
Obviously this isn't a perfect solution, but it is MUCH less expensive than buying the Cokin-Z Pro system and it's associated specialty CPL's and larger 4x6 filters. It is also a much smaller kit to fit in my bag. I'm very happy with it. Images do not vignette at all due to the grad ND addition. The only issue that comes up sometimes is light leaking in from the sides, which can be prevented with a cloth if necessary(most the time it is not).
Here is a shot of the Cokin P holder before any modifications were made. Notice how the lens is just sitting on top of the filter holder and the holder isn't around it. Also notice the 3 slots for filters instead of 1:
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—many photographers use a screw-in circular filter together with a square/rectangular holder system, but the practical approach is usually to place the holder over a mounted circular filter, not to add the circular filter afterward in front of the grad.
One workable method from the community was to modify a Cokin holder so it fits snugly over a circular filter such as a CPL or ND. That lets you compose with the holder and grad in place while keeping the screw-in filter mounted on the lens.
In general, stacking filters is possible, but watch for vignetting, especially on wide-angle lenses and with thicker holders or multiple slots. A slimmer holder or fewer slots can help.
If your solid ND is dark enough to make viewing difficult, the usual workflow is still to compose and focus first, then carefully add the solid ND before making the exposure. If you want faster operation, consider either a holder setup designed to work with a screw-in front filter or using square solid ND filters in the same system as your grads.
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