Lee/Hitech Grads, 10 stopper and CPL
Discussion
I've copied this from Talk photography as I thought I'd gather the thoughts on here as well.
It's about time I got some filters but frankly I am hugely confused by the bewildering choice. Some people seem to recommend hitech and others seem to despise them. Anyway, what I'm looking to achieve is: 0.3 Soft grad, 0.6 soft grad, 10 stop (or close to 10) ND and a CPL. Hopefully that should cover most bases for now. I realise I could get all of this from Lee but my budget is £400 absolute tops so something needs to give.
I was going to go for a Lee foundation kit with appropriate 77mm wide angle adaptor. I think this will set me back about £90 and will allow me use up to four filters piggy backed (or do I need more holders as well?).
So with a remaining budget of £310, am I going to be able to purchase the grads, the 10 stopper and CPL and if so, what should I be looking for?
The hitech 100mm x 100mm grads seem very reasonable but do I need larger ones? Will they fit ok in the Lee holder? Do they stack ok or does this give colour casts?
The hitech 100mmx100mm 10 stopper looks good but is available in both 1.5mm and 3mm thickness. Which one will work with Lee holders? Will this work ok with the hitech grads?
The CPL, frankly I don't even know where to start!
It's about time I got some filters but frankly I am hugely confused by the bewildering choice. Some people seem to recommend hitech and others seem to despise them. Anyway, what I'm looking to achieve is: 0.3 Soft grad, 0.6 soft grad, 10 stop (or close to 10) ND and a CPL. Hopefully that should cover most bases for now. I realise I could get all of this from Lee but my budget is £400 absolute tops so something needs to give.
I was going to go for a Lee foundation kit with appropriate 77mm wide angle adaptor. I think this will set me back about £90 and will allow me use up to four filters piggy backed (or do I need more holders as well?).
So with a remaining budget of £310, am I going to be able to purchase the grads, the 10 stopper and CPL and if so, what should I be looking for?
The hitech 100mm x 100mm grads seem very reasonable but do I need larger ones? Will they fit ok in the Lee holder? Do they stack ok or does this give colour casts?
The hitech 100mmx100mm 10 stopper looks good but is available in both 1.5mm and 3mm thickness. Which one will work with Lee holders? Will this work ok with the hitech grads?
The CPL, frankly I don't even know where to start!
Here's a start towards the CPL.
If you're using the Lee filter holder - it's a 105mm screw in thread on the outside which means you can use the filters and polarizer at the same time.
I'm using a Heliopan filter which comes in a slim fit so you minimize edge creep.
They're not cheap though - although I don't think any 105mm filter really is. I'm on my second one, the first having disconnected from my camera when the lee locking pin got caught on my shoulder as I put the camera / tripod over it to move slightly. It bounced on the ground, and then stopped on a rock. The glass was intact but there was a gouge on the front element. I continued to use it for a couple of years (you hardly noticed it) but I decided to replace it as I got fed up looking for the marks on the image to photoshop them out.
They get the thumbs up from me.
If you're using the Lee filter holder - it's a 105mm screw in thread on the outside which means you can use the filters and polarizer at the same time.
I'm using a Heliopan filter which comes in a slim fit so you minimize edge creep.
They're not cheap though - although I don't think any 105mm filter really is. I'm on my second one, the first having disconnected from my camera when the lee locking pin got caught on my shoulder as I put the camera / tripod over it to move slightly. It bounced on the ground, and then stopped on a rock. The glass was intact but there was a gouge on the front element. I continued to use it for a couple of years (you hardly noticed it) but I decided to replace it as I got fed up looking for the marks on the image to photoshop them out.
They get the thumbs up from me.
crmcatee said:
Here's a start towards the CPL.
If you're using the Lee filter holder - it's a 105mm screw in thread on the outside which means you can use the filters and polarizer at the same time.
I'm using a Heliopan filter which comes in a slim fit so you minimize edge creep.
They're not cheap though - although I don't think any 105mm filter really is. I'm on my second one, the first having disconnected from my camera when the lee locking pin got caught on my shoulder as I put the camera / tripod over it to move slightly. It bounced on the ground, and then stopped on a rock. The glass was intact but there was a gouge on the front element. I continued to use it for a couple of years (you hardly noticed it) but I decided to replace it as I got fed up looking for the marks on the image to photoshop them out.
They get the thumbs up from me.
Cheers. I think there is an adaptor for the lee kit that allows it to take a 105mm filter. No idea which CPL to go for though. As you say, they're pretty pricy! If you're using the Lee filter holder - it's a 105mm screw in thread on the outside which means you can use the filters and polarizer at the same time.
I'm using a Heliopan filter which comes in a slim fit so you minimize edge creep.
They're not cheap though - although I don't think any 105mm filter really is. I'm on my second one, the first having disconnected from my camera when the lee locking pin got caught on my shoulder as I put the camera / tripod over it to move slightly. It bounced on the ground, and then stopped on a rock. The glass was intact but there was a gouge on the front element. I continued to use it for a couple of years (you hardly noticed it) but I decided to replace it as I got fed up looking for the marks on the image to photoshop them out.
They get the thumbs up from me.
I just thought, this might be useful on here, here is what I wrote on TP.
With Lee they do two CPLs, the 100mm square CPl and the 105mm monster that fits with the pro kit (another foundation kit and a tandem ring to connect it to the front of your existing foundation kit).
I tend to use the square CPL if I just want a CPL, as it is quicker to use, and the 105mm when I want to combine grads and CPL.
I'd go for the 100x150mm filters as they give you the flexibility to move them around a lot without worrying about the bottom or top edge appearing in shot.
I had Hitech P series filters before I had Cokin Z and before I swapped them for Lee, they got a bit pinky if you stacked them up but TBH I rarely feel the need to stack them.
As Mark said a 1 stop is neither here nor there. I tend to find a 2 stop is my most used, If I was building up my kit again I'd probably go for a 2 stop hard edge, a 2 stop soft edge and a 3 stop reverse grad.
........................
You can get the hitech in 100x150.
The reverse grad has become my favourite, I use it for sunsets, the darkest part is right in the centre of the filter, clear below and fading out to the top to allow detail in the sky and just holding back the strip where the sun is.
For the Lee 105mm CPL you'll need the filter itself, an accessory ring and the pro kit (or pro upgrade to the foundation kit) assuming you want to use it with grads. If not just the accessory ring and it will slot straight into your foundation kit.
With Lee they do two CPLs, the 100mm square CPl and the 105mm monster that fits with the pro kit (another foundation kit and a tandem ring to connect it to the front of your existing foundation kit).
I tend to use the square CPL if I just want a CPL, as it is quicker to use, and the 105mm when I want to combine grads and CPL.
I'd go for the 100x150mm filters as they give you the flexibility to move them around a lot without worrying about the bottom or top edge appearing in shot.
I had Hitech P series filters before I had Cokin Z and before I swapped them for Lee, they got a bit pinky if you stacked them up but TBH I rarely feel the need to stack them.
As Mark said a 1 stop is neither here nor there. I tend to find a 2 stop is my most used, If I was building up my kit again I'd probably go for a 2 stop hard edge, a 2 stop soft edge and a 3 stop reverse grad.
........................
You can get the hitech in 100x150.
The reverse grad has become my favourite, I use it for sunsets, the darkest part is right in the centre of the filter, clear below and fading out to the top to allow detail in the sky and just holding back the strip where the sun is.
For the Lee 105mm CPL you'll need the filter itself, an accessory ring and the pro kit (or pro upgrade to the foundation kit) assuming you want to use it with grads. If not just the accessory ring and it will slot straight into your foundation kit.
Adz The Rat said:
Can I be cheeky and jump in here, I want a 10 stop filter for my wide Sigma lens, I think it is 82mm wide.
There is a screw on one on Warehouse Express for about £110, is there any cheaper ones about?
Ive tried welding glass and didnt like it.
Adz, There is a screw on one on Warehouse Express for about £110, is there any cheaper ones about?
Ive tried welding glass and didnt like it.
I recently acquired a B&W110 10 stop screw in filter from another PHer, If this is what you're looking at get it, I love it just don't have enough time to use it!
Adz The Rat said:
Can I be cheeky and jump in here, I want a 10 stop filter for my wide Sigma lens, I think it is 82mm wide.
There is a screw on one on Warehouse Express for about £110, is there any cheaper ones about?
Ive tried welding glass and didnt like it.
LCW ND500 (9 stops) seems to get good reviews. I think they're around the £60 mark.There is a screw on one on Warehouse Express for about £110, is there any cheaper ones about?
Ive tried welding glass and didnt like it.
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