Round or Square ND Filter

[Fortkentdad]

I'm thinking I'd like to try some of the effects I see from ND Filtered shots.

I'd buy a cheapo system first to see if I like it - then if I need to consider upgrading to a more serious system later. I've watched a few video's on the variable ND circular filters - from several youtube reviews it seems that the Fotga and Neewer are OK. Not a Hoya or Tiffen but $15 ain't $150+ either. Yes I know some say buy cheap buy twice but I've found that sometimes cheap is "good enough" for somethings.

eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqoHAO-AgMg

BUT what I'm not sure about is whether I want a circular filter on my lens or go for a square mounted system like Cokin (style).

What are the pro and cons of the square vs round ones?

I would get a large one and some step down rings. I know with the square one I'd need an adaptor ring (which I imagine I could do the same thing - go large and step down.

The square ones tend to come with multiple filters in a kit - besides ND I'm not sure I'd use many of the others - or maybe I would - or not?

I do have a CPL one I use in bright conditions, especially in the snow and on the water in the summer.

 

[STM]

I have a Hoya 3 filter (2x, 4x and 8x) set in 72mm for my 180mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 and a 72-62mm stepdown ring for my 105mm f/1.8. I also have a set of larger rectangular filters, again 2, 4 and 8x for the Hasselblad.

They can come in very handy doing outdoor portraiture on bright days. I don't like to stop my Nikkors down more than 1 or at most 2 stops to keep the depth of field minimal. Since I use a wireless flash synch outdoors for fill flash, I also have to stay below 1/200 sec. I could not do it without an 8x ND when shooting at the beach.

Like any filter, going "cheap" will have a negative effect on the image quality. The set of Hoya's were about $100 but they are top notch in quality and are all multicoated. My rectangular ones are plastic, but are also of a very high quality. The only downside for them is they are not coated yet I have not seen any problems with flare when using them.

 

[Steve B]

If you are going to use graduated ND filters go with the "square" filters since they make it easier to move the edge of the gradient up or down. I use Cokin holders with Hitech filters but thinking about switching over to the Lee system.