Urth Soft Graduated ND8 Lens Filter Plus+ - 67mm

A graduated ND filter is used to balance the exposure between a bright area (like the sky) and a darker area (like the foreground) in a single photograph. It has a gradient that transitions from dark to clear, allowing you to darken only specific parts of the scene.

Soft graduated means the transition zone between the dark and clear parts of the filter is gradual and smooth. This is ideal for scenes where the horizon or transition between light and dark is not a sharp, defined line, such as distant mountains or undulating landscapes.

The ND8 designation indicates an 8x light reduction, which translates to a 3 f-stop reduction. The darkest part of this filter provides a 3-stop decrease in light.

The filter is designed with an ultra-slim rim to minimize vignetting, especially on wide-angle lenses. However, extreme wide-angle lenses (ultra-wide) may still experience some light fall-off in the corners, depending on the lens hood used.

Yes, you can stack this filter with other filters (like a solid ND or a polarizer) if your lens has sufficient clearance and the combined thickness does not cause vignetting. However, stacking might increase the risk of vignetting.

A hard graduated ND filter has a sharp, distinct line between the dark and clear sections, suitable for scenes with a clear, straight horizon (like the sea meeting the sky). A soft graduated ND filter has a smoother, more gradual transition, best for uneven or less defined horizons.

The filter is made from tough magnalium for durability and features 20-layer nano-coated German SCHOTT PRO GLASS for optical clarity and light transmission.

Ensure the filter is screwed on straight. If using a very wide-angle lens, check if the ultra-slim rim is sufficient. You may need to consider removing the lens hood or using a wider lens that is compatible with the filter's slim profile.

The 3-stop reduction might not be enough for extremely bright conditions. Try repositioning the filter to cover more of the sky, or consider combining it with other exposure techniques like bracketing if the scene's dynamic range is too extreme.

Adjust the filter's position more precisely. The soft graduation is designed for subtle transitions; ensure the horizon line or transition area in your scene is not too sharp or defined for this specific filter type. You may need to recompose or consider a filter with a harder transition.

Ensure the lens and filter glass are clean. The PRO GLASS with nano-coating is designed to minimize this, but dirt or smudges can affect image quality. Reclean using appropriate lens cleaning methods.