Lee Filters verdict

[katielegg24]

Evening all (if you are in London!)

I've just been to a Meetup this evening at Park Cameras and the presentation was from Lee Filters. I'm a novice with no knowledge of filters so I thought I would check it out. The sales pitch was really compelling (not just for Lee but actually filters as a solution to some of my problems). That and a bit of reading is leading me to think as a starter I probably want a little stopper as I want to play with day time long exposure (in gorgeous grey London).

That said I recently came back from Yosemite where a fellow traveller was using Lee Filters which was the first I'd ever seen of them and my impression was that it was a bulky bit of kit and I questioned it's easy of use and ergonomics which mean a lot to me otherwise I'm just unlikely to use it as much as I'd like.

Would really welcome any views...

[Donald]

Depends what sort of photographer you are, Katie.

Are you content to take it slow, be on location ahead of the time you expect the image that you want to be there, get things set up, the filters loaded .... and then wait? Or are you the sort of photographer who comes across a scene, wants the image NOW and then to move on to the next one quickly?

If you're the latter, I'd question whether ND filters are going to help your photography. But if you're the former, then get your order in now.

By the way, if you wish you can go to Edit Profile and put in your location, so that it appears in the sidebar alongside your message, just like mine beside this message. Then everybody knows where everybody else is.

[katielegg24]

Good question Donald. I'm quite happy to loose an evening going somewhere in London and just playing. Often when I travel I just don't get the luxury of the time I want because of who I'm with and their patience for me!

So sounds like for this purpose it would be a good investment...

Any fundamental downsides of the Lee Filters?

[Donald]

Any fundamental downsides of the Lee Filters?

I can't think of any. They're a good product.

As for company, I can't shoot if I'm with anyone. I need to be alone. I know that's not an option for everyone.

[katielegg24]

Couldn't agree more!

[Manfred M]

I have a decent set of Lee filters (ND as well as their hard and soft grads; for a total of 9 plus adaptors for my various lenses). I also have regular screw in ND filters.

Yes, the Lee filters with holders are VERY bulky, so this means I limit their use to times when I have no issues in dragging this gear along, i.e. I am doing work and have a car to transport my gear. I would generally NOT use them in a daytime urban environment, just too much to bang into as I would generally be shooting with a tripod when I use ND filters, and busy cities during daytime hours and tripods rarely mix well.

[katielegg24]

That's a fair point... Particularly when you factor the tripod in. Thanks!

[Polar01]

Like Manfred I also use the Lee filter system, however often if I am not using a slow shutter speed I can hand hold a Lee stop in front of the lens while taking a shot. It is not hard to do if you practice it, thus allowing you to use the filter to get the shot without putting the whole kit on the front of the lens.

Cheers: Allan

[DanK]

Katie,

I use only screw-in filters. If you want graduated ND filters, then there is a strong argument against screw-in filters. If you want plain ND filters, then screw-in filters work just fine, and they are not bulky. The only drawback is that you need to accommodate the different sizes of your lenses, if your lenses take different size filters. Sometimes you can deal with that by buying a filter for the larger size and a step-up ring, but I have never bothered. If you need a filter for only one lens, or primarily for a few lenses that take the same size filter, you can get very good screw-in filters for less.

[katielegg24]

Thanks all for this it's definitely giving me some food for thought. I need to really think about what i want filters for I think and be sure of that

[Tringa]

I don't own any Lee filters so cannot comment on them, other than to say many who do use them really like them. However, they and their holders etc are not cheap but the criticism of cheaper ND filters is that they can give a colour cast to photos.

I don't own an ND filter but do have a hard grad filter and holder from here - http://srb-photographic.co.uk/

The P size filter holder I have is plastic and does feel a bit flimsy (they did not do a metal holder when I bought mine) but the adaptor ring is metal. The holder grips the filter securely and I have no problems at all with it or the filter.

I too am in the camp of taking your time with photography and being on your own.

Dave

[jcuknz]

I guess that I am principally of the second type as Manfred asked so my filters* rarely have left home in the past decade but my suggestion comes to your companion ... have you tried getting a fellow photographer to be your companion for safety and companionship. With you being happy to wait for their shots as they do for yours?

* NOT a 'filter' but a lens ... my two dioptre Close-up lens lives in the camera case and frequently gets out to be attached to my lens [ I have three or four each living with the camera they fit ]
A CPL also is in the case but rarely thought of, yet used.
I have several Cokin A and one P holders and was put off by the colour cast when I stacked three ND filters, cheaper ones from SRB-Griturn I am afraid, who will also sell you Lee's. My bad choice not SRB's