150x170mm Graduated ND: Soft vs Hard vs Reverse
By NiSi Filters Australia | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Comparisons
Compare NiSi 150x170mm soft, hard, and reverse graduated ND filters to pick the right one for your landscape scenes.
Quick answer
For most landscapes with uneven horizons, choose the NiSi 150x170mm Soft GND8; for flat horizons like seascapes, pick the Hard version; and for sunrises or sunsets where the brightest light sits right on the horizon, the Reverse GND8 is your best tool.
Why the transition type matters
The main difference between soft, hard, and reverse graduated ND filters is how they transition from dark to clear. This affects which scenes they suit and how visible the transition line is in your image.
A soft grad has a gradual transition, making it forgiving when your horizon isn't perfectly straight. A hard grad has a more abrupt change, which suits scenes with a distinct, flat horizon. A reverse grad is darkest at the horizon and lighter toward the top, which matches the brightness of a low sun.
The trade-off between flexibility and precision
Soft grads are more flexible because they work with a wider range of compositions, but they may not darken the sky enough when the horizon is very bright. Hard grads give you precise control over a flat horizon but can show an obvious line if the horizon is uneven. Reverse grads are specialized: they handle the bright horizon at sunrise or sunset but are less useful for other times of day.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Soft GND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Best for uneven horizons like mountains or city skylines. The gradual transition is forgiving but may not darken a bright sky enough. If you often shoot landscapes with trees or buildings, start with the Soft.
- Hard GND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Best for flat horizons like the ocean. The abrupt transition gives precise control but can show a line if the horizon is not perfectly straight. Use the Hard when your horizon is clean and you need a strong darkening effect.
- Reverse GND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Best for sunrises and sunsets when the sun sits on the horizon. The darkest area is at the horizon, but it is less versatile for other scenes. Add the Reverse if you frequently shoot low sun scenes.
Product facts
- NiSi 150x170mm Nano IR Hard Graduated Neutral Density Filter – GND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Perfect to balance the exposure when scenes have a sudden transition from the foreground to the sky. This hard-edged transition is ideal for seascapes and other flat horizons where you need a clean split.
NiSi 150x170mm Nano IR Hard Graduated Neutral Density Filter – GND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop - Nisi 150x170mm Nano IR Soft Graduated Neutral Density Filter – ND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Perfect to balance the exposure when trees, buildings, mountains, and other elements protrude into the skyline. The soft transition blends the darkening across uneven horizons, avoiding a visible line on protruding elements.
Nisi 150x170mm Nano IR Soft Graduated Neutral Density Filter – ND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop - Nisi 150x170mm Reverse Nano IR Graduated Neutral Density Filter – ND8 (0.9) – 3 Stop: Perfect to balance the exposure when the light is harshest at the horizon and tapers off toward the sky. This matches the brightness of a low sun, letting you expose for the foreground without blowing out the horizon.
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Landscape photographers with uneven horizons who want a single versatile filter.
- Seascape photographers who need a precise split at the horizon.
- Sunrise and sunset shooters who want to control the bright horizon.
Not for
- Photographers who need one filter for all situations – a soft grad is more versatile, while hard and reverse are more specialized.
