MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Cameras / Lenses => Topic started by: Ariene on November 04, 2013, 02:13

Title: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ariene on November 04, 2013, 02:13
Anybody using filters in Lee System?
I'm going to get Lee system (holder and ND filters) for my FX (Nikon d700 with 24-70/2,8) and I already have Heliopan 77mm Slim polariser with only one thread... Is there any option that it works with Lee system? Is there any special adaptor ring or something? I believe polariser should be first and then ND filters in holder?

Thank you for help!
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 04, 2013, 02:43
I don't think so, if the polariser doesn't have a front thread.
In my opinion, Lee is expensive and I don't think it is much better than Cokin. I wasn't happy with the degree of softening the resin filters introduce. If you can do what you need to digitally it would be better than putting filters on.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ariene on November 04, 2013, 03:33
You're right, every another filter is giving less quality, I can see that. My Heliopan (SH-PMC Slim) has only good (great) opinions but it's giving softer image. Sometimes stock agencies doesn't accept it and reject images :( But, there are situations that you just need the filter and can't do the effect with post processing...
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Mantis on November 04, 2013, 07:29
I use Lee if the situation is right.  I love the BIG STOPPER.  You can get really creative with it.  I also have ND filters and a polarizer.  If you are using an effects filter in combination with a polarizer you will need a rotation attachment, which allows you to rotate your polarizer independently of the other split filter (the polarizer is not split). If you are ONLY using a polarizer then the standard one attachment system is fine. Here are a couple of shots with the BIG STOPPER.

Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 07:39
I use Lee if the situation is right.  I love the BIG STOPPER.  You can get really creative with it.  I also have ND filters and a polarizer.  If you are using an effects filter in combination with a polarizer you will need a rotation attachment, which allows you to rotate your polarizer independently of the other split filter (the polarizer is not split). If you are ONLY using a polarizer then the standard one attachment system is fine. Here are a couple of shots with the BIG STOPPER.

I want a big stopper, but they are hard to get in Ireland, or crazy expensive. I havent found them on eBay yet for affordable prices. I guess its just an expensive tool.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Mantis on November 04, 2013, 07:47
I use Lee if the situation is right.  I love the BIG STOPPER.  You can get really creative with it.  I also have ND filters and a polarizer.  If you are using an effects filter in combination with a polarizer you will need a rotation attachment, which allows you to rotate your polarizer independently of the other split filter (the polarizer is not split). If you are ONLY using a polarizer then the standard one attachment system is fine. Here are a couple of shots with the BIG STOPPER.

I want a big stopper, but they are hard to get in Ireland, or crazy expensive. I havent found them on eBay yet for affordable prices. I guess its just an expensive tool.

Yes, true.  I got mine on Ebay and was lucky to get it from New York, but it wasn't cheap if I recall and I definitely haven't made my money back from images shot with it, but it's a lot of fun to use. I will be using is a bit in Fiji next month.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: fritz on November 04, 2013, 07:49
I use Lee if the situation is right.  I love the BIG STOPPER.  You can get really creative with it.  I also have ND filters and a polarizer.  If you are using an effects filter in combination with a polarizer you will need a rotation attachment, which allows you to rotate your polarizer independently of the other split filter (the polarizer is not split). If you are ONLY using a polarizer then the standard one attachment system is fine. Here are a couple of shots with the BIG STOPPER.




I want a big stopper, but they are hard to get in Ireland, or crazy expensive. I havent found them on eBay yet for affordable prices. I guess its just an expensive tool.


No, it's not!   If we're talking about the ND filter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171041399384?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/171041399384?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Mantis on November 04, 2013, 07:53
I use Lee if the situation is right.  I love the BIG STOPPER.  You can get really creative with it.  I also have ND filters and a polarizer.  If you are using an effects filter in combination with a polarizer you will need a rotation attachment, which allows you to rotate your polarizer independently of the other split filter (the polarizer is not split). If you are ONLY using a polarizer then the standard one attachment system is fine. Here are a couple of shots with the BIG STOPPER.


That's not a big stopper. This is: [url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lee-Big-Stopper-100mm-10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter-ND-4x4-/271306212155?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item3f2b1c433b[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lee-Big-Stopper-100mm-10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter-ND-4x4-/271306212155?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item3f2b1c433b[/url])


I want a big stopper, but they are hard to get in Ireland, or crazy expensive. I havent found them on eBay yet for affordable prices. I guess its just an expensive tool.


No, it's not!   If we're talking about the ND filter.
[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/171041399384?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/171041399384?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649[/url])
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 04, 2013, 08:01
But is a "big stopper" any better than a variable ND, which is really just two polarisers stacked on each other?
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: fritz on November 04, 2013, 08:06
But is a "big stopper" any better than a variable ND, which is really just two polarisers stacked on each other?
I asked the same question to myself, and the price is 20x higher. Is it 20x better?
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Mantis on November 04, 2013, 08:26
But is a "big stopper" any better than a variable ND, which is really just two polarisers stacked on each other?
I asked the same question to myself, and the price is 20x higher. Is it 20x better?

I suppose it depends on who you ask but to me, yes.  And you can use it with other filters to create interesting images.  Since Lee filters are flat glass or resin filters they do not vignette when you stack them.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 09:41
@ Fritz, Paul, Mantis


I had a cheap 5 euro filter in front of my 2000 euro glass, and it was a mess.

I think paying 100-150 euro for a filter is not too bad, but the Lee Big stopper is close to 200 which is a bit too much.

Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: BaldricksTrousers on November 04, 2013, 11:51
@ Fritz, Paul, Mantis


I had a cheap 5 euro filter in front of my 2000 euro glass, and it was a mess.

I think paying 100-150 euro for a filter is not too bad, but the Lee Big stopper is close to 200 which is a bit too much.

But I would still want to compare them, because I consider Lee Filters make a bit of a mess. Maybe the Big Stopper is a lot better than using a couple of polarisers (you can use a linear and a circular to pull this trick) and from my experience I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of decent polarisers worked as well as a Lee ND filter. The only way to know is to run a comparison. I suspect there will be a bit of a colour cast with either method, there certainly will be with polarisers, but WB adjustments should fix that.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 11:53
@ Fritz, Paul, Mantis


I had a cheap 5 euro filter in front of my 2000 euro glass, and it was a mess.

I think paying 100-150 euro for a filter is not too bad, but the Lee Big stopper is close to 200 which is a bit too much.

But I would still want to compare them, because I consider Lee Filters make a bit of a mess. Maybe the Big Stopper is a lot better than using a couple of polarisers (you can use a linear and a circular to pull this trick) and from my experience I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of decent polarisers worked as well as a Lee ND filter. The only way to know is to run a comparison. I suspect there will be a bit of a colour cast with either method, there certainly will be with polarisers, but WB adjustments should fix that.

The first cheap filter gave me a dense blue cast from the middle of the photo, almost covering the frame, couldnt be corrected in PS, threw it out. The other set of filters, fitting in the cokin system gave me an orange cast, which I could correct, but they made the images soft, so I threw them out.  :)
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ariene on November 04, 2013, 14:04
Ok, after study and many problems I choosed:

Lee Foundation Kit - (next time will just upgrade to rotate)
Lee 77mm Wide Angle Adaptor
Lee ND 0.6 Grad (hard) and Lee ND 0.9 Grad (soft) - for start I think that's enough?
Lee Big Stopper - £ 100.00
Lee Filters 105mm Polariser & Ring
Lee Polariser Adaptor Ring

Many hairs off my head and bank account empty, but filters are coming! Yay :D

Anybody wants to buy me (new) Heliopan Slim HT SH-PMC, 77mm Polariser? ;)

Thanks for images above. Would love to see more samples - it's beautiful!
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Travelling-light on November 04, 2013, 14:36
We're definitely convinced Lee users. The 0.6 ND soft edge grad is pretty much a permanent fixture on the 24-105mm for outdoor work, and no post-process work will give you that extra 1+ stop of foreground shadow detail. The Lee grads are very neutral and don't need correction, unlike a lot of others, particularly Hi-tech. Also, with the super wide angle adapter, there is no vignetting on the 16-35mm on full frame.

With the Big Stopper you really need to profile the camera with the filter on, white balance is not enough for correction.

We've got a dual polariser variable ND for the GH2, and it's hopeless beyond about 6 stops; the density is very uneven, and it's no match for the Big Stopper.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 14:40
Ok, after study and many problems I choosed:

Lee Foundation Kit - (next time will just upgrade to rotate)
Lee 77mm Wide Angle Adaptor
Lee ND 0.6 Grad (hard) and Lee ND 0.9 Grad (soft) - for start I think that's enough?
Lee Big Stopper - £ 100.00
Lee Filters 105mm Polariser & Ring
Lee Polariser Adaptor Ring

Many hairs off my head and bank account empty, but filters are coming! Yay :D

Anybody wants to buy me (new) Heliopan Slim HT SH-PMC, 77mm Polariser? ;)

Thanks for images above. Would love to see more samples - it's beautiful!
WHere did you find the big stopper for 100 pounds?
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Travelling-light on November 04, 2013, 14:44
Ok, after study and many problems I choosed:

Lee Foundation Kit - (next time will just upgrade to rotate)
Lee 77mm Wide Angle Adaptor
Lee ND 0.6 Grad (hard) and Lee ND 0.9 Grad (soft) - for start I think that's enough?
Lee Big Stopper - £ 100.00
Lee Filters 105mm Polariser & Ring
Lee Polariser Adaptor Ring

Many hairs off my head and bank account empty, but filters are coming! Yay :D

Anybody wants to buy me (new) Heliopan Slim HT SH-PMC, 77mm Polariser? ;)

Thanks for images above. Would love to see more samples - it's beautiful!
WHere did you find the big stopper for 100 pounds?


http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/shop-by-brand/lee-filters/lee-100mm-system/100-filters-filter-sets/lee-big-stopper.html (http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/shop-by-brand/lee-filters/lee-100mm-system/100-filters-filter-sets/lee-big-stopper.html)

That's where we buy our Lee bits.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 14:53
Ok, after study and many problems I choosed:

Lee Foundation Kit - (next time will just upgrade to rotate)
Lee 77mm Wide Angle Adaptor
Lee ND 0.6 Grad (hard) and Lee ND 0.9 Grad (soft) - for start I think that's enough?
Lee Big Stopper - £ 100.00
Lee Filters 105mm Polariser & Ring
Lee Polariser Adaptor Ring

Many hairs off my head and bank account empty, but filters are coming! Yay :D

Anybody wants to buy me (new) Heliopan Slim HT SH-PMC, 77mm Polariser? ;)

Thanks for images above. Would love to see more samples - it's beautiful!
WHere did you find the big stopper for 100 pounds?


[url]http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/shop-by-brand/lee-filters/lee-100mm-system/100-filters-filter-sets/lee-big-stopper.html[/url] ([url]http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/shop-by-brand/lee-filters/lee-100mm-system/100-filters-filter-sets/lee-big-stopper.html[/url])

That's where we buy our Lee bits.
THanks, 3 months wait list. PFff. I better order one now I have it when summer starts.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ariene on November 04, 2013, 16:04
WHere did you find the big stopper for 100 pounds?

Here: http://www.morco.uk.com/filters/big-stopper.html (http://www.morco.uk.com/filters/big-stopper.html)
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 16:41
WHere did you find the big stopper for 100 pounds?

Here: [url]http://www.morco.uk.com/filters/big-stopper.html[/url] ([url]http://www.morco.uk.com/filters/big-stopper.html[/url])
Thank you, also out of stock. I will see if I can find something in Northern Ireland and just pick it up from the store.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Travelling-light on November 04, 2013, 16:48
Thank you, also out of stock. I will see if I can find something in Northern Ireland and just pick it up from the store.

It's pretty unlikely you'll find anyone with a Big Stopper on the shelf (at normal price). Robert White had some free stock on 1st November, but those have gone now. For the last 3 years at least, it's been a case of placing your order and waiting. That's what we had to do.                                         
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 04, 2013, 16:52
I found one for 129 euro in Dublin, will go and check the store out on Saturday.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ariene on November 05, 2013, 01:41
Why so hurry? Even if not in stock, it's possible to wait one week, as I am. Ask in shop I've linked, how much waiting.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Ron on November 05, 2013, 06:15
Why so hurry? Even if not in stock, it's possible to wait one week, as I am. Ask in shop I've linked, how much waiting.
100 pound plus shipping is more expensive then 129 euro.
Title: Re: Filters in Lee system
Post by: Mantis on November 05, 2013, 08:12
Why so hurry? Even if not in stock, it's possible to wait one week, as I am. Ask in shop I've linked, how much waiting.
100 pound plus shipping is more expensive then 129 euro.

Most of my purchases for Lee products came from Great Britain, only a few from the USA.  I couldn't find anybody who carried it all, so had to piece meal my Lee system. I have colored filters, too, but only really use the "real blue" resin slide to pop the sky.  Otherwise it's ND and Polarizer.