Are REVERSE GRAD FILTERS WORTH IT?

[@cameralabs]

Thanks for the info and nice shots!

[@benharveyphotography]

Cheers Gordon. I am running out of things to shoot long exposures of on Brighton beach. We need a new pier!

[@cameralabs]

@@benharveyphotography have you done that curve near the Marina?

[@benharveyphotography]

Are you referring to the sunken building in the middle of the road? I think it’s a southern water building or similar? I haven’t photographed that. I have never taken any meaningful images of the marina either, only the old railway tracks from the Daddy Long Legs that terminate next to the marina western wall.

[@cameralabs]

@@benharveyphotography no, I mean the curved harbour wall at the Marina.

[@Christographer_UK]

Very informative, Ben. So, that's reverse grads off the wish list then. Thanks for taking the time & effort. An excellently filmed, presented & edited. As usual.

[@benharveyphotography]

Thanks Chris. You are too kind! And this video nearly didn’t happen. Within 2 minutes on arriving a rogue wave came in a soaked me up to my knees, if only I have the footage of my holding my camera in the air like a rescue mission. I was freezing from that point onwards but I soldiered through! If you already have regular grads then I don’t think you are missing out on much.

[@Mitcheb4]

Hi Ben. Thanks for the video. I've noticed the same thing with reverse grads. It's a really small segment of photos where it helps. I used to have a 3 stop reverse and 2 stop reverse by Singh-Ray, and I found that mainly the 3 stop was where you'll notice the difference, but again it's rare that you find yourself in a scenario where it's needed. Often in a bright sunrise or sunset, stacking a 2 stop grad and a 2 stop hard does a great job. Regarding getting it right in camera, I'm 100% the same way, it's so much more satisfying to do it that way.

[@benharveyphotography]

Hi Brian, that’s a very good point. I was using a two stop reverse filter here and it wasn’t making much of a difference (but it was only fair to compare it to a two stop regular grad). Even though I have both filters in my bag, I think I will continue to reach for the regular grad filters.

[@josephasghar]

Like you, I prefer to get it right in camera. Actually I recommend soft grads for architecture, for knocking back side light to balance a shot. Although of all these, it’s a polariser I would recommend as a first purchase.

[@benharveyphotography]

Hey Joseph - if I were teaching someone photography I would recommend using grads, not because it is the ‘old fashioned way’ of doing it but I think it’s a bit more authentic to what the human eye sees. But I can see both sides of the discussion. I have a video coming up in the next two weeks reviewing Nisi’s new V7 filter system that has a built in polariser. It’s looking good so far.

[@josephasghar]

@@benharveyphotography Nisi make some nice glass. I have some. I settled on the Benro system in the end. I just wish they’d make lens caps for the ring, like Lee do. Thanks for the video - was wondering if I was missing out not having a reverse grad, but it seems very specific.

[@scotty4418]

Never invested in a reverse ND as I dont even use the ones I have much these days, I tend more to bracket these days and then blend in post. Looked a nice morning to be up and about Ben

[@benharveyphotography]

Hi Jim. I can see the benefits of not using filters also (as I attempted to explain) but I guess I am stuck in my ways. I do bracket when I have to though! You must have some long exposure filters though right?!?

[@scotty4418]

@@benharveyphotography Sorry should have said dont use ND grads, Use my 3,6, 10 stop Kase filters mostly and have a 15 stop LEE but not used that for a long time as the Kase system so much quicker

[@benharveyphotography]

Nice selection. I only have a ten stop and a 16 stop. It would be nice to have something a bit less than 10 stops for versatility

[@scotty4418]

@@benharveyphotography Use the 6 stop from time to time and find myself using the 3 stop in combination with the 10 stop quite a bit

[@benharveyphotography]

That seems like a sweet spot for getting a few minute exposure once the sun is up. I use a polariser with my ten stop filter to get a twelve stop - but that’s a bit of a hack!

[@tofudrifter]

love the video Ben!!! i like to stack my grad filters sometimes and i know it goes against your 2 stop rule, but pretty cool to do some shots at 2pm at the beach! LOL

[@benharveyphotography]

2pm in the winter is fine, that’s nearly sunset :-) Seriously though, I wouldn’t judge you if I saw you taking photos in the middle of the day, but luckily most filter holders are limited to one solid ND and two grad filters - so you can’t stack even more.

[@phil1066photography]

Great objective review and insights there Ben 👍 I'm strictly a CPL and 10 stop guy, if I use filters at all that is, but I could see how a Reverse Grad could help out sunset/sunrise photographers alot. As always thanks for the Sussex coastal views 👌

[@benharveyphotography]

Cheers Phil, you must be looking forward to seeing it with your own eyes.

[@davidturner2619]

I find the reverse grad can be useful at sunrise on the east coast before the sun comes above the horizon. Don’t use it much but has come in useful. Recently switched over to the Kase Armour system and have fitted the grads and reverse grad in the metal frames.

[@benharveyphotography]

Hi David, Is the Kase system magnetic or the purpose of the metal frames it for handling purposes? I find with that the filters with metal frames (I Have the H&Y magnetic system also) that condensation builds up around the frame on cold mornings? Do you get that?

[@proriyami]

Thank you Ben, what if you stack two different brands of filters, does work or make a problem? for example, H&Y ND filter is stacked on Kase GND filter. Thanks

[@benharveyphotography]

The filters are the same size, I fit some Lee filters in the Kase holder system - so it makes no difference. You can stack them without a problem.

[@o7rein]

0.3 because log(10)2=0.3