Lee launch 'Big Stopper'

HoppyUK said:
I
However, while I'm on this obsessive ND thing, I stopped by the Premier-Ink stand and had a fiddle with their brand new variable ND filter - the Light Craft Fader ND 2-8 stops. It works by rotating two polarising filters against eachother. Have to say I was very impressed and bought one on the spot - 77mm for £80. If it's as good as I think it is, that's a bargain and I can see this filter being very popular indeed :)
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Does it work as an out-and-out C-Pol if both filters are kept "in-phase" as it were.

I'm tempted to try one - I've heard this will vignette on full frame cameras though (I can induce vignetting with a stacked ND + C-Pol at 24mm) - are you using this on FF to confirm first hand?
 
puddleduck said:
Does it work as an out-and-out C-Pol if both filters are kept "in-phase" as it were.

I'm tempted to try one - I've heard this will vignette on full frame cameras though (I can induce vignetting with a stacked ND + C-Pol at 24mm) - are you using this on FF to confirm first hand?
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Can't confirm absolutely Andy, because they didn't have a 77mm version to try. However, I asked directly about this and was assured it will not vignette on my 17-40L lens on full frame. I wouldn't have paid for one otherwise.

They appear to have found a workaround to the vignetting problem by making it cone-shaped, ie the 77mm version is that size on the lens but widens to 82mm on the outer, and comes with a decent quality lens cap to fit that. That sounds like it will just clear okay to me :thumbs: TBC. I am also expecting to be able to fit the normal lens hood, by attaching the hood first and then the filter - there should be just enough finger room in a wide-angle hood.

I foolishly forgot to check the polarising aspect, but the way it works it must have at least a partial polarising effect. However, I say partial because I don't think these are two normal polarising filters rotating together. Fristly, if you put two normal polarisers together you get a minimum of 3.5-4 stops light reduction and with the Fader it is only two, and secondly you get a lot more than eight stops on max. With this Fader, when you turn it past the eight stops mark a darker cross shape appears :thinking:

Edit: update see post #49 below.
 
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HoppyUK said:
Can't confirm absolutely Andy, because they didn't have a 77mm version to try. However, I asked directly about this and was assured it will not vignette on my 17-40L lens on full frame. I wouldn't have paid for one otherwise.

They appear to have found a workaround to the vignetting problem by making it cone-shaped, ie the 77mm version is that size on the lens but widens to 82mm on the outer, and comes with a decent quality lens cap to fit that. That sounds like it will just clear okay to me :thumbs: TBC. I am also expecting to be able to fit the normal lens hood, by attaching the hood first and then the filter - there should be just enough finger room in a wide-angle hood.

I foolishly forgot to check the polarising aspect, but the way it works it must have at least a partial polarising effect. However, I say partial because I don't think these are two normal polarising filters rotating together. Fristly, if you put two normal polarisers together you get a minimum of 3.5-4 stops light reduction and with the Fader it is only two, and secondly you get a lot more than eight stops on max. With this Fader, when you turn it past the eight stops mark a darker cross shape appears :thinking:
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Thanks, appreciate the post, think I might order one of those :)
 
I received my Lee 'Big Stopper' today and had chance to give it a quick try at lunchtime near work. This is a 20sec exposure with minor levels (but no colour) adjustments - looks neutral enough not to worry about any significant colour cast, and I can't see any light leaks:

5D2_0385.jpg


There's something going on in the top right hand corner akin to a polariser cast, but I had a fair amount of rise on the T/S lens so need to do a bit more testing to see what's causing that.

Now just need to get out somewhere more scenic ;)

Jonathan
 
JonathanP said:
I received my Lee 'Big Stopper' today and had chance to give it a quick try at lunchtime near work. This is a 20sec exposure with minor levels (but no colour) adjustments - looks neutral enough not to worry about any significant colour cast, and I can't see any light leaks:

5D2_0385.jpg


There's something going on in the top right hand corner akin to a polariser cast, but I had a fair amount of rise on the T/S lens so need to do a bit more testing to see what's causing that.

Now just need to get out somewhere more scenic ;)

Jonathan
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I think the darkening is optical vignetting caused by the wide angle lens which looks through the filter at quite an angle towards the corners. Basically it makes the filter much thicker and therefore more dense and effectively a lot more than ten stops away from the centre.

I get it really bad at 17mm on full frame, as I did at 10mm on crop format, not helped by the normal amount of vignetting you get with super-wides at low f/numbers. Stop down a bit and use Peripheral Illumination Correction if you have it, then correct the rest in post.
 
Hi Richard,

Thanks - I'm sure you're right. That was on full frame with the 24mm T/S and I didn't notice it on a more standard lens. As you say I can fix it in post. I think its a useful filter to have in the bag - was looking at one of the b+w ones, but glad Lee have come out with this as I don't have to buy one for a particular filter thread size and its very quick to pop on and off.

Jonathan
 
JonathanP said:
Hi Richard,

Thanks - I'm sure you're right. That was on full frame with the 24mm T/S and I didn't notice it on a more standard lens. As you say I can fix it in post. I think its a useful filter to have in the bag - was looking at one of the b+w ones, but glad Lee have come out with this as I don't have to buy one for a particular filter thread size and its very quick to pop on and off.

Jonathan
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I think the Lee filter is pretty good - more neutral than my rather warm B+W - but there's nothing you can do about the vignetting thing with super wide lenses. It happens with dark grads too, but to a much lesser extent.

If you fix it in post, shoot at low ISO and push the exposure to the right as far as you dare - fortunately not a problem with this technique. You need to pull several extra stops of exposure out of the corners (obviously not so bad with a 24mm lens as say 17mm) and the increase in noise is noticeable.

Isn't East Anglia great for landscapes :gag: I drove 150 miles at the weekend to try and get some decent scenery and waves on the Norfolk coast. Caught a flippin cold and not much else :(
 
HoppyUK said:
Can't confirm absolutely Andy, because they didn't have a 77mm version to try. However, I asked directly about this and was assured it will not vignette on my 17-40L lens on full frame. I wouldn't have paid for one otherwise.

They appear to have found a workaround to the vignetting problem by making it cone-shaped, ie the 77mm version is that size on the lens but widens to 82mm on the outer, and comes with a decent quality lens cap to fit that. That sounds like it will just clear okay to me :thumbs: TBC. I am also expecting to be able to fit the normal lens hood, by attaching the hood first and then the filter - there should be just enough finger room in a wide-angle hood.

I foolishly forgot to check the polarising aspect, but the way it works it must have at least a partial polarising effect. However, I say partial because I don't think these are two normal polarising filters rotating together. Fristly, if you put two normal polarisers together you get a minimum of 3.5-4 stops light reduction and with the Fader it is only two, and secondly you get a lot more than eight stops on max. With this Fader, when you turn it past the eight stops mark a darker cross shape appears :thinking:
Click to expand...

Update. I now think this is wrong - the Light Craft Fader ND does not have any polarising effect, in case anybody was thinking of getting one expecting that it would.

I now believe that this filter is made of two circular polarisers rotating together, but the front one is reversed so that the quarter-wave plate (the de-polarising 'circular' aspect of these things) faces outwards.

Which means that the light is de-polarised before right at the start and therefore there is no conventional polarising effect, either on blue skies or reflections.

That makes sense, and fits with what I've been told. Using it as a polariser as well would be difficult without having two counter rotating rings, and some people might not want this effect anyway.

This to be confirmed. Until my filter arrives I can't check it for sure.
 
Another update.

Got a call today from Premier-Ink, those nice folks that are importing the LightCraftWorkshop Fader ND. There is a new improved version to be had, which will be here in a couple of weeks. I'll post something when it arrives but meanwhile I am told that it is improved optically with higher grade glass.

Apparently, the original Fader ND could soften sharpness slightly when used with telephoto lenses - as is often the case with longer focal lengths that magnify slight imperfections, and of course there are two pieces of glass in the Fader. I think that most people will be using these things on wide-angles but it's nice to know this is being attended to.

The other thing is that they think the new version might also have coated glass, which would be very nice to have. But they can't confirm that until it actually arrives.

There's more - LCW have also introduced a nine stops multi-coated ND500MC, 77mm screw fit only, for £57. No idea how good it is, and that's currently out of stock too, but it looks promising :) http://www.premier-ink.co.uk/photog...raft-workshop-77mm-nd500mc-filter-p-2927.html Could be both a better and cheaper option than the B+W ten-stopper. It's also mega-slim, which quite likely means that you could stack it with another slim-line filter and still not get any vignetting, but as a result it has no front filter thread. Not that I think that will pose any problems.
 
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Hi

Has anybody got and tested these LightCraft Workshop FaderND filters?

I've noticed on the premier ink site it says Expected Mid April? I assume these will be the so called "new" versions with the better glass.

I've noticed they have also got a 9 stop to 12 stop - FaderND Ultra? Any thoughts?

I'm debating whether to invest into the complete Lee system of ND filters or get one of these fader filters. Must admit, the fader seems like it would be more convenient and cheaper than buying various stop filters.

I will most likely be getting a Lee ND Grad filter so I will have the holder/ring etc........would it make more sense to get the Lee Big Stopper?
 
lauy said:
Hi

Has anybody got and tested these LightCraft Workshop FaderND filters?

I've noticed on the premier ink site it says Expected Mid April? I assume these will be the so called "new" versions with the better glass.

I've noticed they have also got a 9 stop to 12 stop - FaderND Ultra? Any thoughts?

I'm debating whether to invest into the complete Lee system of ND filters or get one of these fader filters. Must admit, the fader seems like it would be more convenient and cheaper than buying various stop filters.

I will most likely be getting a Lee ND Grad filter so I will have the holder/ring etc........would it make more sense to get the Lee Big Stopper?
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Latest news is not good - there are problems using them. More info and pics on this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=225702

Much better news is that the new LightCraftWorkshop nine stops ND mentioned above has also arrived, and is excellent. More info on that also on that thread.
 
Heres my first shot with the LEE 10stop:

4558024631_1147fdf60b.jpg

First impressions are great and with minimal cool colour cast.

I have a little review/first impressions on my blog if people are interested?

Cheers

Simon
 
Not that I know of mate, think most people are still quoting at least a few weeks.

Simon
 
Where have people got their big stoppers from? I am looking at ordering one today if possible, but warehouse express is still quoting it as 'pre-order'.
 
bass_junkie83 said:
Where have people got their big stoppers from? I am looking at ordering one today if possible, but warehouse express is still quoting it as 'pre-order'.
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Hi Dave,

I ordered mine from WE on April 1st, I'm about 30th in a queue of about 250, guy at we said could be a few more months! rang lee to see what was happening and they said they were getting some more out in the next few weeks.

Bit annoyed really as I'm doing a 500 mile charity walk over the pyrenees at the start of June and could really do with this filter by then! If you find one let me know!
 
Yeah, i have just been in contact with WE. Apparently they have a back order of over 200 units, and i should not expect to get one before the end of summer.

I need one for work, within the next week or two really. :(
 
I got mine from here:

http://www.morco.uk.com/

I f I knew how popular they are or how hard it is becoming to get a hold of them then I would have bought a lot more!! heheh

I think Lee are busy trying to supply the US market as they stock seems to becoming through in the next couple of weeks.

Simon
 
I also got mine from Morco, and I was lucky I only had to wait a week for mine!

I have posted a comparison review between the Lee big stopper and the Hitech 10 stop ND on my Blog HERE
 
Finally got mine from WE - took about 10 weeks. I just need to get out with it now. Lakes next weekend - WooHoo!
 
Ceejay said:
Shown on LEEs website as a 100mm sq filter so will leak light around edges.
Lot of tape required maybe !!!
C
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the lee filter has a foam gasket round it which presses onto the holder so no light leak.
 
stumac said:
the lee filter has a foam gasket round it which presses onto the holder so no light leak.
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Thanks, but already answered in thread 21 !
Have now bought adapter to use my B/W 77mm screw-in with Lee Holder.
C
 
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Sorry to add this here, but i am really trying to get hold one of these for a trip 'down under' in Jan next year. anyone got one that doesnt want it anymore?
 
I have had one of these plus various grads and pro kit on order with Robert Whites now for 3 weeks and keep getting an update saying they haven't a clue when it could all land :( The one thing that does annoy me is that they charge your card from day one so it could take 10-12 weeks for £500 worth of bits to turn up.
 
Still on the hunt and happy to pay a TP member a hefty (!) deposit if someone wants to lend me one?
 
.. we worked it out in the end ;)

soooo... no takers willing to rent me theirs?
 
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