Starter kit recommendations for Lee Filters

~BB~

~BB~

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Hi All

So I am dipping into the world of landscape photography and have decided that I want to purchase a set of ND filters.

I was initially going to use the Cokin series but after doing a little reading it seems that the lee filters are a better quality (albeit more expensive too!).

I use a Canon 5D mark II, my lens that I will predominantly use with them are 24-70mm, 70-200mm and I hope to purchase a 16-35mm soon too.

So could you give me an idea what would be a good starting base for me to get into this system?

If you need anymore info let me know and thanks in advance!

BB :)
 
The foundation kit,
One soft 0.6 ND Grad
One hard 0.6 ND grad
One 0.9 ND
Adapter rings for your lenses (and a UWA ring for when you get the 16-35).

That's about the minimum if you want to play with the system.
Soft ND grad is for when the horizon has trees + buildings etc.
Hard ND grad is for sunsets looking out to sea and when the horizon is uncluttered.
Solid ND is for either getting a wide aperture on a sunny day or allowing a long exposure to blur people + water etc.

I'd definitely go with Lee over Cokin, you'll only have to buy once. ;)
 
Hi Mark

Thanks! I'll go do some research now on where to buy!

:)
 
Thanks Jon - I'll have a look on that site :)

BB
 
When I got mine I went for the following

Lee foundation kit
soft GND set .3, .6, .9
105mm cpl adaptor ring
105mm B&W kassman CPL

I got mine from Robert Whites in Poole.

The reason I went for the soft grads was I feel that I have a far more adaptable set of filters and can use the for seascapes and landscapes with one set of filters rather than having to buy both hard and soft grads.
 
On a side note, how much can you chuck a Lee filter about with out scratching it? I am forever putting my Cokin filters in my back pocket so that I can quickly change (leading to a few small scratches appearing...how scratch resistant are Lee?
 
Davec223 said:
The reason I went for the soft grads was I feel that I have a far more adaptable set of filters and can use the for seascapes and landscapes with one set of filters rather than having to buy both hard and soft grads.
Click to expand...

Hi and thanks for your reply :)

So you don't feel the need then for the hard grads? Do you find that the soft grads cover all angles so to speak!

BB
 
~BB~ said:
Hi and thanks for your reply :)

So you don't feel the need then for the hard grads? Do you find that the soft grads cover all angles so to speak!

BB
Click to expand...

So far I have not found the need for hard grads, I am really pleased with the soft grads, Brought on the advice of the very knowledgeable folks at Robert Whites, I was willing to spend more than I did but they said I really did not need the filters and items I was looking at, just for the fact that they didn't take all the money they could from me gets a :thumbs: from me.
 
Note: the grad will appear harder with a smaller aperture and shorter focal length. So for landscapes at 16mm with f11 or smaller you might get away with just the soft grad.

Also I suggested 0.6 grads, but the choice is yours and down to personal preference.
I bought mine in kits, so I have 3xhard, 3xsoft, 3xND. (and a CPL).

As for scratch resistance, I would put them in the Lee holder and straight back into the soft pouch! They won't go anywhere near a pocket! :eek:
 
Sectionate said:
On a side note, how much can you chuck a Lee filter about with out scratching it? I am forever putting my Cokin filters in my back pocket so that I can quickly change (leading to a few small scratches appearing...how scratch resistant are Lee?
Click to expand...


Out the filter holder on the camera into the soft filter case, no way I am risking putting any of my filters straight into a pocket.
 
Davec223 said:
Out the filter holder on the camera into the soft filter case, no way I am risking putting any of my filters straight into a pocket.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't do it with a lee filter, I can't afford to do that. But a fifteen quid cokin, maybe...

Shame cokin only give you the hard cases..
 
Lee filters are easy to scratch, so look after them carefully.

Re: the starter kit, how about a 2 stop hard grad?

Just start with that - you don't need a holder - and see how how you get on with the whole idea of using grads. You can expand as you see fit.

I've never used a holder. I just hold the filter gently but firmly against the rim of the lens. Its easy to do if you use a tripod, less so, but not impossible, hand held.
 
Got mine from Robert Whites in Poole as well.
Foundation kit
3 stop ND Pro Glass
3 stop ND Grad hard
2 stop ND Grad soft
and wide angle filter holder
By far the most used is the 2 stop ND soft Grad, with/without the 3 stop ND if I wanted to have a bit of water movement in the picture.
The Lee's come in good quality pouches which I use, they come out of the pouch, on to the camera and then straight back in to the pouch.
 
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