Ricoh is now selling a software graduated ND filter for select Pentax DSLRs. The ‘Premium Feature,’ which you unlock on your camera using an activation code, lets you make certain parts of your image darker than others, similar to how you can with a physical graduated ND filter.

The ‘Grad ND’ feature has a good level of flexibility, letting you definite the gradient’s position and angle, as well as the transition distance. The intensity of the ND effect can be varied from -0.3EV to -5.0EV in 1/3EV increments.

The ‘Grad ND’ has several customizations you can make in-camera. Image: Ricoh

According to an Instagram post by Ned Bunnell, former president of Pentax US, the effect works by taking two exposures and compositing them together. Images taken using the feature can be saved as both Raws and JPEGs.

According to Ricoh’s site, the Grad ND feature is available for the K-1 II, K-3 III, and K-3 III Monochrome; it’s not available for previous versions of the K-3. You’ll also need to update your camera to the latest firmware to use the feature. Ricoh warns it can take up to a week to get your activation code, but Bunnell reports that his arrived the day after he placed his order.

It costs $79.95 to activate the feature, which is done on a per-serial number basis; that means if you have multiple cameras you wish to use the feature on, you’ll have to buy an activation code for each one. Ricoh’s website contains a long list of warnings and instructions about purchasing the feature, so be sure to read them carefully if you’re considering it.