Lee Filter Help

[Empire Art]

Just joined to find out some information. Sorry if these questions have already been discussed. Please point me in the right direction if they have.

1 - I am on a budget and are looking for 1 set of neutral density lee grads at the moment. I have read on a couple of sites that for a wide angle lens you will need the SOFT grads. Is this right and if so can someone explain why these rather than HARD grads for my 77mm wide angle lens. Thanks


2 - I know this has been exhausted, but any idea on recent Lee Big Stopper availability anywhere. I have seen ebay, but range from £150- £195.

Look forward to replies.

Thanks

 

[markta]

I'm not sure whether anywhere has them at the moment, but Speed Graphic and then Dale Photographic had the Big Stoppers in stock very recently, so you may have just missed out.

The Companies to look for them at are...Robert White, Morco, Speed Graphic, Dale Photographic, Warehouse Express (though they never seem to have stock left over after backorders) and Teamwork

As regards filters, I use soft if there is an uneven horizon, or mountains (uneven) or hard for a straight horizon or subject

 

[The Human Tripod]

Use soft grads for horizons with structures, trees, mountains or anything else sticking up.
Use hard grads for flat uninterrupted horizons like a sunset looking out to sea etc.

Nothing to stop you using a hard grad for your wide angle, BUT be aware that the graduation you see through your viewfinder will not be the same as the recorded image. You must use the DOF preview button to see the real effect as the graduation will sharpen up as the aperture gets smaller.

Another handy tip: take a meter reading before fitting the filter, then switch to manual mode, lock in the exposure and fit the filter (otherwise your foreground will be too bright).