Positioning ND Grads?

[l2oBiN]

I am wondering how do people determine the correct positioning of something like a 2stop soft ND grad. The transition appears very soft and it seems to be hard to pick the point where it should be placed...?

[Mark Stahlke]

I put a Post-it note on the front of the filter, stop down the lens, then adjust the filter.
Be sure to take the Post-it note off the filter before shooting. Don't ask me how I learned that part.

[NicolasArg]

I just move the filter a bit, up and down and begin to see the transition. However I feel that for film photogpraphy, hard grads are easier to use and more practical in the field.

[speedfreak]

I usually use my viewing card (black matte board) or a film holder held in front of the lens with filter in place. While looking at the GG I position the dark line of the card or holder where I want it and then pinch it to the filter holder while I make my way out from under the dark cloth. I simply match the beginning of the graduation to the position of the card, check focus again (just in case I bumped the front standard during the process), and shoot away.

[Joanna Carter]

Don't forget that the transition becomes harder if you stop down. If you have enough light, try stopping down to taking aperture (or around f/22 if you are planning on shooting wide open) before adjusting the position.

[vinny]

Use the card and clip included with the filter i sold you.

[l2oBiN]

Use the card and clip included with the filter i sold you.

this works vinny. how did you decide on the lenght of the card?

[Lachlan 717]

this works vinny. how did you decide on the lenght of the card?

Just do the card as far down the filter as the transition line. Hold it up to a light; the demarcation is quite clear, even on soft grads.

[dave_whatever]

A good tip for positioning soft grads is to stop down the lens, and also to move and jiggle the filter around a bit in the holder - the movement makes it much easier to see. However some brands of soft grad are just way too soft, Lee being the prime offender. I swapped my set of Lee soft grads for hard ones, best thing I ever did.