Graduated ND filter recommendations

[Krusty79]

Hello,

I am in the market to buy a graduated neutral density filter for landscape photography (not the screw-in type). I see there are Lee, Tiffen and Singh-Ray filters for about $100. Does anyone recommend a brand? For that price, will they all be resin and not glass? Is the Cokin "P" size large enough to prevent vignetting?

I have read that for landscapes, a soft-edge 2 stop filter is recommended for starters. Correct?

Also, I was considering trying the hand-held method of holding the filter, but have never actually done it in the field. I was concerned with scratching the filter. Anyone with any feedback on holding them by hand vs. buying a filter holder?

Thanks in advance,
Greg

[Elmo]

Conkin's are reported to give a color cast, I have never noticed it as I tend to adjust color balance in post. I have had the best luck with the Lee stuff.

Conkin P is big enough for most application as long as you hand hold and do not place transition too clost to top or bottom of frame.

When hand holding I try to leave a space between the filter and lens unless I pick up a reflection. Hand holding also tends to soften the transition even more due to shaky old hands and avoids camera movement caused by contact. If I use a grad I always use a tripod.

It should be noted when shooting really wide a filter holder may need modification to prevent it from being seen in the image. That being said if you use two filter at the same time i try to use a filter holder to maintain alignment. But sometimes I find the only way is to hand hold.

[Krusty79]

Okay, thanks for the info Elmo. I think I'll try hand holding the filter at first. I can always buy a filter holder later. I'll have to work on my technique so I don't scratch the filter. I don't have an ultrawide lens now, so I shouldn't have a vignetting problem, but I want to get something wider than my 18-55 eventually.

I have also heard that the Cokins are not actually neutral, but grey instead.