Padawan learner seeks Lee filter Jedi Master

Ross

Ross

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Ok so I've got a few Hoya filters but I'm going to be spending a week in the Alps in July and will be taking lots of landscape type shots.

As it's not always sunny above 10,000ft can anybody suggest what I should be looking at in terms of filters - I gather that Lee make teh bestest but I have no intention of buying all of them in one go, perhaps just a handful to start with.

I guess I will be wanting various graduated ones, specifically to fit my Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 without showing up in the shots at wide angle.

Is there a filter for noobs site that I can read up on?

I have no idea about stacking etc although I understand what ND means, so be gentle with me.

Budget is around £70 to start with, is this enough to get going and if so what would you buy for alpine shots?

Also where's the best/cheapest place to buy thanks :thumbs:
 
Here's the link to the starter kit.
http://www.leefilters.com/CPTS3.asp?PageID=477
but I think it is about £150. I'll check, or you could find out from Robert White, who usually have them in stock and will give perhaps a small discount.
You might want to get a 0.9ND hard as well, as I've said elsewhere, their book "Inspiring professionals" is about £10 and it's very well spent money- shows how to use them and the various effects. Call their phone no. -its on the web site- and the receptionist will help.

They don't supply filters directly to the public, however.

George
 
PS-You may also want a polarising filter at these altitudes, and it mounts on the fronr of the filter holder, but it is about£120 Ithink. Best not to use a pol filter after other filters, as it will show up other glass imperfections.
 
But the best in my opinion, and the range is excellent.

But then I'm biased!!
 
Ideally you want a 1,2 & 3 stop ND grad filter.
But you will need to decide which ones to get, as Lee do them in hard and soft varieties.
I would go for the hard transition myself to start with, these should cover most of your needs.

They don't come cheap though.

Cokin do a 'pro' range that may save you a few bob.
 
I'd agree, 0.6 in my opinion is the most useful, 0.9 next and I think the hards are more useful.

I don't know the Cokin range, but a visit to the lee site is worthwhile.
there are also some useful other filters other than ND although the NDs are the most useful, don't discount them, but as I said, buy the book (see my post above).
George
 
Thanks guys.

Hmm ok after checking prices £70 doesn't go very far!

So far I have come up with:

77mm wide-angle adapter - 27.23
Foundation kit - 38.29
ND Hard set - 101.23
Filter pouch - 4

Is that all I'll need to get going?
 
what does the ND hard set contain?
George
 
doubt if you'll use the 0.3 much.

If you can wait till tomorrow, I'll have a word with my Lee contact.
 
OK, your choice is probably the correct one, and I suggest you phone Robert White on prices. Again, I can't stress too strongly that you'll need a polariser at that altitude, if you intend to use the Lee system, then their polariser fits in front of the filter holder and this is the best position, otherwise the polariser will pick up any imperfections if it is between the filters and the lens. This should not really be a problem with the Lee glass, but is something to bear in mind.

The other point that is not widely publicised by Lee, is that their recent range gives a reduction right in to the IR end of the spectrum, where digi sensors are more sensitive than film, and can therefor help prevent slight inaccuracies in sensor reading. This is what Lee tell me anyway!!

All the best in your choice, and I hope you get lots of sunshine to use them!!

George
 
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