Hitech Filters

[danny_bhoy]

Hi all,

Just after some input.

I'm just about to buy a few Hitech 85 ND Grad filters (Hard Edge) for sea/landscape stuff.

There is so much conflicting info about how good/bad these are in term of colour cast that I was after some impartial advice.

There's no chance of me splashing out for Lee filters at this stage and I'm under no illusion that the Hitech won't be in the same league but are they any good?

ps. I don't invasage stacking the filters too often, I understand that stacking can be the main source of colour cast.

Thanks in advance,

Danny.

 

[dbr1066]

Hi Danny. I have used HiTech for years, and I find them quite good. They do scratch, so take care with them, and keep them clean, but the same caveats apply to all ND grads!

I 'graduated' (sorry) from Cokin to Hitech, as I couldn't swing the cash for Lees, and I was bowled over by how much better than Cokins they were. I've not used Lee filters, but overall I'd say my HiTechs strike a good balance between quality and price.

I hope that helps.
David

 

[Steve-T]

If you buy the 'Pro' range from Hitech then they are close in quality to Lee

 

[markmullen]

They are a worthy step up from Cokin but not quite up to Lee standard IME.

 

[killwilly]

Also have a look at Marumi, they have good reviews and not quite so expensive as Hoya, I shall be getting a Marumi polariser in the not too distant future.

 

[freelander]

Hi Danny

If you intend using filters on Wide Angle lenses you would be better off using the Hitech 100 filters to avoid vignetting.

Cheers
Martin

 

[boccers_2000]

Ive got quite a few Hi-Tech filters (hard and soft grad plus general ND one) plus a 10 stop.

No issues with a colour cast on the grads but there is a slight cast on the 10 stop. Overall, good filters and a good compromise on price.

Having said all that, i'm going to sell mine I think. I just never really use them anymore.

Go for it though, they are decent filters IMO.

 

[damianmkv]

I'm the same as Andrew. I have a set of hitech 85mm hard grads and have been very pleased - no colour cast. I also have the hitech 10 stop which has a colour cast but it can be corrected in PP.

I'm in the process of upgrading to Lee so will sell my Hitechs when I pull my finger out. I only have a 0.6 soft lee grad and am pleased with it

 

[Craft]

No colour cast problems here either, I think I managed to stack 3 once (ND & 2 GNDs) and that did cast a little, but it wasn't bad and easily fixable.

Far as vignetting goes, 7D @10mm, B&W 10 stop & 0.6 hitech GND, I guess there is a little?


Durdle Door by c20let, on Flickr

 

[SoDoSoPa]

Hitech are very good imo, I would go with the 100 system and a lee foundation kit holder as the hitech one can cause problems tearing the gasket on the 10 stop filters. As been said not a good as lee but certainly better than cokin and i wouldnt worry too much about colour cast as its almost neglagable

 

[danny_bhoy]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm going to get a set of 100's to avoid any possible issues at 17mm. Think they'll do me very nicely until the my lottery numbers come up and I can throw money at a set of Lee's

Thanks again for the info. Very much appreciated.

 

[damianmkv]

I put my 85s on my sigma - no issues until 12mm

You should be fine at 17mm

 

[LongLensPhotography]

It can vary from filter to filter. My Hitech 0.9 reverse is slightly better than my Lee grads. The important thing is to keep them clean and damage free

 

[graphilly]

HiTech were completely unusable for me if I was shooting any direction towards the sun. Couldn't get rid of the red colour cast.

 

[danny_bhoy]

Took on board all the advice and today saw a full set of hard and soft Hitech 85 grads (with wallet) on eBay for £55......too good to pass up so I've picked them up tonight and they're pristine. Now just looking forward to getting out there in the snow tomorrow and testing them out!

Thanks again for all the advice!