Formatt Hitech Onyx 85mm Seascape Kit

Photographers whose memories stretch back to the 1980s will doubtless remember the old Cokin Creative Filter System, and the dubious charms of tobacco grad and starburst filters. These days, most such image-modifying filters have disappeared from the market. But a select few still provide useful creative effects which can’t be replicated in software.

Foremost are polarising, neutral density (ND) and ND graduated filters, which can be used to control reflections, lengthen shutter speeds for creative blur, and balance bright skies against dark foregrounds, respectively. ND grads work best as part of a square filter system using a holder that attaches to the front of your lens, but a