lee big stopper...rare than hens teeth!!

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gpc1

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Any ideas where i can pick one up...:bang:

Or would a very king TP member be willing to loan one out for a deposit of some kind.:D

Wanting to have aplay with these and cant seem to find one anywhere unless im being a div!:cuckoo:
 
They have a big waiting list. If you want to pay a premium they are on ebay. Why don't you try another brand 10 stop?
 
I'm in Essex? Was going to do a London walkabout and was after some long exposures with flowing skies.

I may try another brand, any recommendations. I know the hi techs get decent reviews but the lee seems to be the best one.

Many thanks
 
Hi-tech isn't that great from what ive read. Look at Lightcraft Workshop nd500, Hoya 9stop, B&W or heliopan.
 
B&W ND110 has a magenta cast to it but easily fixed in PP.
Hoya Pro series seem very neutral to me with no cast (at least not on my 5 and 6 stoppers)
I've only really heard good things about Hi Tech and have been to their factory twice now to get hold of things quickly - staff were very helpful and everything I have got from them I have no problems with although I don't have their 10 stopper.
 
Thanks gents,

I was after the square plate types and a holder. Only because i have read that its easier to compose and focus and then slot in rather than screw on.

But i guess if i cant get one ill have to chance the screw type.

May see if i can pick one up off ebay as an interim solution.

:thumbs:
 
Lee ones should be more available now, I'd have thought..have you tried Robt White?
 
JulesP said:
Hoya Pro series seem very neutral to me with no cast (at least not on my 5 and 6 stoppers)
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My 4 stop just arrived today, can't wait to try it out. If I feel I need more, and there's no horrible cast, I may get a stronger one.
 
gpc1 said:
I'm in Essex? Was going to do a London walkabout and was after some long exposures with flowing skies.
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Ahh, at a tad far to lend you mine. There are loads on ebay that are brand new. Prices have become a bit more sensible of late as well. Think the supply and demand balance is slowly starting to shift.

The hitech ones are decent enough as well though there does seem to be a bit more variability in quality than with Lees (I had one that cast red a bit but another that was excellent).
 
They are convenient, but fragile they are! One slip and they shatter to pieces, and they are non-coated too. So to me they are overrated. I am more than happy with screw in multicoated hoya ND400x, and lee system can go right on top.
 
daugirdas said:
They are convenient, but fragile they are! One slip and they shatter to pieces, and they are non-coated too. So to me they are overrated. I am more than happy with screw in multicoated hoya ND400x, and lee system can go right on top.
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Does that not make it difficult to set up grads etc or do you not use them?
 
gad-westy said:
Ahh, at a tad far to lend you mine. There are loads on ebay that are brand new. Prices have become a bit more sensible of late as well. Think the supply and demand balance is slowly starting to shift.

The hitech ones are decent enough as well though there does seem to be a bit more variability in quality than with Lees (I had one that cast red a bit but another that was excellent).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, would have jumped at that but yep, tad too far.

Much appreciated
 
If you just want to try it and not break the bank try the haida 10 stop on ebay, price starts at about £25. There are a few thread going on the subject people are pretty happy with them.
 
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gad-westy said:
Does that not make it difficult to set up grads etc or do you not use them?
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I have just said that lee system goes right on top :rules: Of course I put grads there :lol:
Difficult? No, as long as you can deal with a little darker viewfinder or just use liveview
 
daugirdas said:
I have just said that lee system goes right on top :rules: Of course I put grads there :lol:
Difficult? No, as long as you can deal with a little darker viewfinder or just use liveview
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:) Well it was a genuine question as there are all sorts of filters you can put in a lee system beside grads. I was just surprised as I can see almost b****r all through a big stopper and find it tricky to align grads at the best of times. Maybe I need to eat more carrots.
 
gad-westy said:
:) Well it was a genuine question as there are all sorts of filters you can put in a lee system beside grads. I was just surprised as I can see almost b****r all through a big stopper and find it tricky to align grads at the best of times. Maybe I need to eat more carrots.
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strange, D700 with f/2.8 lenses should have a very bright viewfinder just like 1D/1Ds. There is 1 stop difference between yours and mine but I'd be surprised it makes such a big difference. I mean at least LV should be able to 'see' through that with it's incredible high ISO.
 
Maybe I typically use it in lower light. Must admit not tried Lv with the big stopper. Using just the viewfinder I can usually frame up ok but lining a grad up is guesswork.
 
gad-westy said:
Maybe I typically use it in lower light. Must admit not tried Lv with the big stopper. Using just the viewfinder I can usually frame up ok but lining a grad up is guesswork.
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Put the grads in first.. Problem solved!
 
TCR4x4 said:
Put the grads in first.. Problem solved!
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I think you might have missed a bit of this conversation! :)

I was saying that i was suprised that daugirdas could use a 10 stop screw in with grads in front.

I do exactly as you say. Grads first. Nail composition, focus and exposure then drop the big stopper in, close the rear view finder cover, adjust exposure to suit and fire away.
 
gad-westy said:
I think you might have missed a bit of this conversation! :)

I was saying that i was suprised that daugirdas could use a 10 stop screw in with grads in front.

I do exactly as you say. Grads first. Nail composition, focus and exposure then drop the big stopper in, close the rear view finder cover, adjust exposure to suit and fire away.
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Duh, yeah.. Been one of those days!!
 
Regarding composing the picture and then fitting the filters - yes it can be tricky with the screw in type unless you have one of these:D

http://www.xumeadapters.com/

Best bit of kit I bought to go with my B&W 10 stopper - makes life even easier than using the square ones.
they come from America but mine came in about a week when I ordered it:)
 
JulesP said:
Regarding composing the picture and then fitting the filters - yes it can be tricky with the screw in type unless you have one of these:D

http://www.xumeadapters.com/

Best bit of kit I bought to go with my B&W 10 stopper - makes life even easier than using the square ones.
they come from America but mine came in about a week when I ordered it:)
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Good idea, but you must get vignetting on wider lenses. My 16-35 vignettes just with a kood circpol on as it is.. With an extra pit of plastic and another bit and then the filter, it will be unusable until 19mm
 
I've used it on my 10-20 Sigma with no problems even at 10mm. Ive also had the 10 stop B&W, HiTech holder and 1 ND grad on my 24-70 at 24 mm with no problem either.
I guess you probably just need to be aware on some lenses
 
Don't forget I'm on a d700, so 16mm is 16mm. My lee holder itself vignettes up to about 18mm. I need to buy the wide adapter but I'd rather not spend £40 for the sake of 2 seconds work in Lightroom.
 
TCR4x4 said:
Don't forget I'm on a d700, so 16mm is 16mm. My lee holder itself vignettes up to about 18mm. I need to buy the wide adapter but I'd rather not spend £40 for the sake of 2 seconds work in Lightroom.
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Thats a good point - forgot you had FX;)
 
Thanks all,

Will try some of thje suggestions on here. May give the Haida a go....
 
gpc1 said:
Any ideas where i can pick one up...:bang:

Or would a very king TP member be willing to loan one out for a deposit of some kind.:D

Wanting to have aplay with these and cant seem to find one anywhere unless im being a div!:cuckoo:
Click to expand...

Don't believe all you read about there being a big waiting list :) Depends when you order and where you shop, and you still get it for <£100.

Try Speed Graphic.
 
thanks

will give them a call.

Out of interest, Is there a holder system that is non branded that works fine.

or is there a holder systeme that holds lee, cokin, hitec filters. The lee holders are expensive to buy simply for the 1 filter (hence i may get the B&W 110) but if the holder could take more than one brand that would gove me options to purchase other filters for a play around!
 
gpc1 said:
thanks

will give them a call.

Out of interest, Is there a holder system that is non branded that works fine.

or is there a holder systeme that holds lee, cokin, hitec filters. The lee holders are expensive to buy simply for the 1 filter (hence i may get the B&W 110) but if the holder could take more than one brand that would gove me options to purchase other filters for a play around!
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I'm not aware of one but that doesn't mean there isn't one. I know a Lee 10 stopper will physically fit in a Hi-tech 100 holder but you need to add extra foam or card to stop light intrusion.
 
graphilly said:
I'm not aware of one but that doesn't mean there isn't one. I know a Lee 10 stopper will physically fit in a Hi-tech 100 holder but you need to add extra foam or card to stop light intrusion.
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I think this is true of the older style HiTech holders but when I picked my new style one up from the factory, the lady there said they were now compatible with the Lee ones without any problems.
Luckily I went to the factory the day they had the new holders in and managed to grab the first one before they even left the factory:D
 
JulesP said:
I think this is true of the older style HiTech holders but when I picked my new style one up from the factory, the lady there said they were now compatible with the Lee ones without any problems.
Luckily I went to the factory the day they had the new holders in and managed to grab the first one before they even left the factory:D
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Ah yes I see they have the mark 5 version out now, along with a hefty new price too :)

I see that the Lee and Hitech holders are around the same price now too, so if you are going with the Lee filter I guess your just as cheap getting the Lee holder.
 
graphilly said:
Ah yes I see they have the mark 5 version out now, along with a hefty new price too :)

I see that the Lee and Hitech holders are around the same price now too, so if you are going with the Lee filter I guess your just as cheap getting the Lee holder.
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Agreed - I think if I was buying now, I would get the Lee system.
I think I will probably upgrade mine to the Lee ones early next year - best get some use out of my HiTech ones first :thinking:
 
gpc1 said:
I'm in Essex? Was going to do a London walkabout and was after some long exposures with flowing skies.

I may try another brand, any recommendations. I know the hi techs get decent reviews but the lee seems to be the best one.

Many thanks
Click to expand...

PM me if you want to have a play with a Hitech 10 stopper in London.
 
Thanks all


Thanks Sam, may just take you up on the offer. Im toying with the B&W 110, only down side is its a screw on...plus 80 quid!!!

Will let you know next week if thats OK.

Much appreciated
 
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