Help with outdoor shot

[mymate]

Hey all.

I've just been testing some new equipment and I was hoping someone could help me improve this shot alot, it looks pretty awful.

https://mega.co.nz/#!9chyhJqA!EOW0NxYYoE1__zry8KhgiTMO_gUhDde9ZtOWUdVHM3A

I suspect the mains causes are.

1. I'm using a low quality ND filter (Fotga Variable Filter ND2 to ND400)
2. The shot seems a little overexposed. Ofcourse theres no CC on this.
3. The lens isnt the best for this type of shot?

Here's my setting and gear.

Thanks

Code: [Select]

# Magic Lantern v2.3.NEXT.2013Sep20.650D104

Camera         : 650D
Start          : 2013/09/20 15:16:33
Lens name      : Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
ISO            : 160
Shutter        : 1/46.831s
Aperture       : f/2.8
Focal length   : 17 mm
Focus distance : 0 mm
White Balance  : 4100K, Magenta 4, Blue 0
Picture Style  : Neutral (0,0,0,0)
FPS            : 23.973
Bit Rate (CBR) : 1.4x

[painya]

Apply some color correction and if the problem persists I would love to check it out again.

[Africashot]

Probably both the filter and the lens (wide open I assume - at 2.8?) introduced heavy vignetting. To avoid this it would have been best to expose to the right (for the highlights) by using a smaller aperture of at least 4, or rather 5.6 / 8 and less ND, no need to shoot so wide open for a wide shot as long as you stay away from extreme apertures beyond 11 or 16.
In post you cold try and see how much you can bring back from the highlights and create a feathered mask to counteract the vignette, although I believe there might be a certain point and area beyond any hope, as a last resource and if reshooting isn't an option you could replace the sky by using a track matte...