Neutral density (or ND) filters produce a grey neutral tone and are used in photography to reduce light, enabling more control over exposure and depth of field without affecting color contrast. These filters are clear in the bottom half of the filter with a gradual transition to the ND effect in the top half. They are primarily used for light reduction in skylines of landscape shots. Soft edge grads have a smooth transition from clear to ND. ND Grads are made in different densities according to the level of light reduction from 1 stop to 4 stops of light. Formatt-Hitech cinema filters are made from the highest quality Schott Superwite glass.
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Graduated filters have an effect that occurs on one area of the filter and transitions to clear on other areas of the filter. Typically graduated filters are used to enhance the sky or terrain, or balance the luminosity of the sky to the luminosity of the terrain. For hard and soft grad filters, colors are often deployed (such as sunset or twilight) to enhance the color of the sky.
Formatt-Hitech offers four varieties of Graduated Neutral Density Filters:
Soft Edge Grad
Hard Edge Grad
Reverse Grad
Soft Edge graduated filters transition across the filter toward the center, and although there is a horizon line, it is subtle. This allows for horizon transitions to be more easily hidden in a scene, especially with an undulating horizon line such as mountains, buildings or trees.
Roughly speaking soft edge grad filters are for wide angle lenses and hard edge filters are for longer lenses. This gives the most visually attractive effect transition at the horizon line. The Soft Edge grad is the ideal tool for balancing bright sky to a dark terrain where the horizon is uneven. Soft Edge grads are essential for both fine art photographers and professional cinematographers alike, and are the most popular grads we make.
Densities Available
1 - 4 Stops
4mm Filter Sizes
4x4" | 4x5.65" | 5x5" | 5.65x5.65" | 6.6x6.6mm
