I like gadgets although I always resist temptation to buy. This seems odd. There is no mechanism to move the dark border of the filter. Otherwise it would be a good idea.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/697826...ated-nd-filter
I like gadgets although I always resist temptation to buy. This seems odd. There is no mechanism to move the dark border of the filter. Otherwise it would be a good idea.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/697826...ated-nd-filter
I think you have to move the camera, similar to a circular polarizer. It looks nice but I already have a set of filters but it looks like it has an adapter for different lens sizes.
One of the first grad filters I bought was a 77mm Heliopan 2-stop GND.
Advantages - very portable and does not require the filter holder setup associated with the rectangular filters from the likes of Lee, Formatt Hitech, NiSi, etc. That is just about the only advantage. I have a set of Lee soft and hard GND filters that I use in my work. The round filters are not nearly as flexible as the horizon line is in the centre of the filter. It can be rotated to follow the contour to some extent, but does not have the versatility of a rectangular GND.
This unit seems to have exactly the same drawback.
In my specialty of Anesthesiology I have seen many gadgets introduced that serve no useful purpose and end up sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Only three in the last 35 years have caught my interest to the point where I use them on a daily basis. Otherwise it is technology looking for an indication. I don't see a use for this.
I agree with you. There are too many things introduced by companies looking for the "next great thing" that meet that description. I refer to these products as "solutions looking for a problem to solve". Unfortunately, the problem they solve either does not need solving or there are already current solutions that work almost as well for little to no investment.
I have tried various gadgets over my many years in photography, many or most of them have ended up not being used for any length of time...
In the world of filters, I tend not to carry my square filters unless I am specifically intending to shoot landscapes. However, I will almost always carry both round ND and GND filters in my camera bag, along with my CPL, because the extra weight and bulk of these filters is negligible.
Speaking about gadgets, here is are two gadgets that I always carry.
First is a set of filter wrenches for round filters. Cheap as dirt, lightweight and a great insurance policy:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kood-Filter...EAAOSw6kxXICOM
I am quite careful about mounting my filters and have not needed the wrenches in the field. However, I have used them to assist camera club members several times while on a shoot - they work quite well.
Second is a pair of filter stack caps which consolidate my filters into one unit and which protect the filters. I have had my set for probably ten or fifteen years...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/49-52-55-58...AW0w491OB0bxCQ
This is not in the line of filters but, is a gadget I have recently ordered from eBay. It might be handy or it might live on a shelf. It is a monopod holder for my belt which can also be used to steady the camera by placing the foot of the monopod into the holder. No more trying to stick the pod inside the waistband of my trousers to steady a shot while I am moving around quickly. I figured for less than $3 USD, I'd take a chance
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Travel-Wais...53.m2749.l2649