A graduated neutral density filter is dark at the top and clear at the bottom, so it holds back a bright sky while leaving the foreground alone. The change from dark to clear can be soft, hard or somewhere between, and the filter can screw onto the lens or slide into a holder.
The six filters below include 77mm screw-in glass from Urth, K and F and Walking Way, and 100 x 150 mm square filters from Haida and NiSi. Stops, sizes and coatings come from each listing page. We have not used these products ourselves, and glass and coating claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Edge type | Soft suits uneven horizons; hard suits flat horizons such as the sea |
| Strength in stops | Two to four stops cover most sky and ground differences |
| Mount | Screw-in filters need the right thread; square ones need a holder |
| Glass and coating | Coatings affect reflections, cleaning and color |
Specs at a Glance
| Filter | Size | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urth Soft GND8 Plus | 77mm screw-in | 3 stops | Soft edge; 20 layer nano-coating; SCHOTT B270 glass per the maker |
| Urth Hard GND8 Plus | 77mm screw-in | 3 stops | Hard edge; 20 layer nano-coating; 105 g |
| K and F Concept Soft GND8 | 77mm screw-in | 3 stops | 28 layer coating; aluminum frame, 3.3 mm slim |
| Walking Way GND16 | 77mm screw-in | 4 stops | 30 layer coating; aluminum frame; filter case |
| Haida Red Diamond | 100 x 150 mm square | 2 stops (0.6) | Medium graduation; nano coating; rounded corners |
| NiSi Explorer | 100 x 150 mm square | 3 stops (GND8) | Medium graduation; B270 glass; 77 g |
The 6 Best Graduated ND Filters
1. Urth 77mm Soft Graduated ND8 Plus
A 77mm screw-in soft graduated filter with a three-stop reduction. The maker lists SCHOTT B270 glass with a 20 layer nano-coating, an ultra-slim magnalium rim and a soft transition for uneven skylines.
Suits: mountains and uneven horizons. Strengths: a soft edge and a slim rim. Weaknesses: three stops may be too much for gentle skies. Skip it if your lens is not 77mm.
View Urth 77mm Soft Graduated ND8 Lens Filter (Plus) on Amazon
2. Urth 77mm Hard Graduated ND8 Plus
The same 77mm, three-stop, 20 layer nano-coated design with a hard transition for a defined line. The maker describes it for a flat horizon such as a sea. It weighs 105 grams and has a one year limited warranty.
Suits: sea and lake horizons. Strengths: a clean, defined transition. Weaknesses: the line shows if the horizon is uneven. Skip it if trees or hills rise above the horizon.
View Urth 77mm Hard Graduated ND8 Lens Filter (Plus) on Amazon
3. K and F Concept 77mm Soft GND8
A 77mm soft graduated filter with three stops of light reduction. The maker lists imported AGC glass, 28 multi-layer coatings on both sides, a reflectivity of 1.25 percent and a 3.3 mm aluminum frame with a CNC non-slip grip to limit vignetting.
Suits: a screw-in soft grad. Strengths: a slim frame and a grippy ring. Weaknesses: the listing gives few detail specs. Skip it if you want a hard edge.
View K and F Concept 77mm Soft GND8 (3 Stop) Graduated Neutral Density Lens Filter on Amazon
4. Walking Way 77mm GND16
A 77mm aluminum-framed filter with a four-stop reduction, 30 layers of coating and a filter case. The title calls it a variable filter, though the listing describes it as a fixed 4 stop graduated filter, so confirm what you are getting. It is aimed at balancing sky and ground in landscapes.
Suits: a stronger four-stop grad. Strengths: more density and a case. Weaknesses: the variable wording in the title is unclear. Skip it if you want a milder two or three stop filter.
5. Haida Red Diamond 100mm Medium Graduated ND
A 100 x 150 mm glass filter with a 0.6 density, or two stops, and a medium graduation. The maker lists a nano multicoating, rounded corners that make it easier to slide into a holder and a double-strength glass claim. It needs a 100mm system holder.
Suits: a square filter system. Strengths: a two-stop strength and an easy holder fit. Weaknesses: needs a holder and adapter ring. Skip it if you prefer a screw-in filter.
6. NiSi Explorer 100x150mm Medium GND8
A 100 x 150 mm square glass filter with a three-stop (0.9) medium graduation. The listing describes hardened B270 glass with a double-strength claim, anti-scratch coating, a weight of 77 grams and a 12 month limited warranty.
Suits: a holder-based setup with a skyline. Strengths: hardened glass and a medium transition. Weaknesses: needs a holder. Skip it if you want to screw a filter on directly.
View NiSi Explorer Collection 100x150mm Medium GND8 on Amazon
Care and Setup Notes
- Match a screw-in filter to your lens thread size, or use a step-up ring.
- Line up the transition with the horizon and check it on the camera screen.
- Clean the glass with a lens cloth and blower, not a dry fingertip.
- Store square filters in a padded wallet.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a hard edge on a horizon with trees or hills.
- Buying square glass without a holder.
- Rotating a screw-in filter so the dark half ends up in the wrong place.
- Choosing a strong filter for a gentle sky.
Graduated ND Filters FAQ
Which ones are screw-in?
The Urth, K and F Concept and Walking Way filters are 77mm screw-in designs.
Which ones are square?
The Haida and NiSi filters are 100 x 150 mm and need a holder.
The Short Version
For a soft screw-in grad, the Urth Soft GND8 or K and F Soft GND8. For a hard edge, the Urth Hard GND8. For four stops, the Walking Way GND16. For two stops in a holder, the Haida Red Diamond. For three stops in a holder, the NiSi Explorer.
