Lee filters

[haris]

Hi,

Having (as many of you) lenses with different filter sizes I thought about one filter (in fact few filters, but only one type of each filter) and adapters for lenses. So, my questions are:

1. Are Lee filters worth of buying (in particular b/w like yellow, orange, green, red, and soft)

2. Is gel-snap filter holder worth of buying, or foundation kit is better

3. Is universal hood good for Mamiya RB lenses (I have now 127mm/f3,8, but plan to buy 65mm and 180 or 250mm)

What are better alternatives?

Buying every filter size filters will be expencive for me. Maybe only for Voightlaender lenses, for all others I would prefer universal solution. My lenses filter sizes are 52mm to 77mm, and including Voightlaender lenses smaller then 52mm. I don't know if buying 77mm filters and adapters for smaller sizes is OK, vignetting issue comes to my mind...

Ebay is not option, that is why I have difficulties (that is why I am buying new, can't save using Ebay ) Buying from USA too, so only Europe is option.

Thanks.

 

[coigach]

I use Lee filters: yellow, orange, .3-.9 ND hard grads and .6-.9 NDfull grads. I use the foundation kit with these and different adaptors for the sizes of my different Pentax 67 lens threads. Works well for me for landscape work. Quick and practical too to use in the field. I don't use a polarizer often though, that might be problematic in conjunction with the foundation kit holder.

Karlu photograohic in the uk (easily findable on web) is probably the cheapest uk retailer for Lee filters?

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Gavin

 

[percepts]

lee make step up rings so that the bellows shade can be fitted to any lens size.

either the single or double slotted bellows shade is optimum for B+W work depending on whether you need only one or two filter slots.

The bellows hood fits directly onto the step ring for your lens.
You DO NOT need the additional filter holder so the foundation kit is NOT REQUIRED unless you need to use more than 2 filters at the same time.

To repeat: You do not need a filter holder. It is best to get a slotted bellows shade (1 or 2 slots) and a step ring for each size lens you have. (unless you want to use more than two filters at the same time).

 

[colrehogan]

Lee has a square linear polarizer available and it can be used in the Foundation kit holder.

 

[Nick Zentena]

You could look for a used Mamiya G2 Bellows hood. It has a built in 3" filter slot. Will work for 90mm up to 350mm [I think that range is right].

 

[haris]

Thank you all...

Well, having seen prices of Lee products, I think I can for same money get 2 sets of B+W filters and step down adapters to cover all my needs. For example yellow, orange, green filters 77mm and adapter rings for 77mm filters down to 55mm lenses and and same three 52mm filters and adapter rings down to 39 (voightlaender) lenses or simillar combination. But, I will look more.

I plan to use same filters on my Mamiya RBproS lens(es), Canon EF lenses, Olympus OM lens(es0, Voightalender lenses (well, maybe for them will get dedicated filters), Yashica MAT124, so that is why I would like "universal" (as possibile( solution...

How good are Cokin filters, I see prices are affordable for me, but what is quality?

I am ready for any good advice or filter manufacturer, doesn't have to be Lee...

 

[percepts]

Thank you all...

Well, having seen prices of Lee products, I think I can for same money get 2 sets of B+W filters and step down adapters to cover all my needs. For example yellow, orange, green filters 77mm and adapter rings for 77mm filters down to 55mm lenses and and same three 52mm filters and adapter rings down to 39 (voightlaender) lenses or simillar combination. But, I will look more.

I plan to use same filters on my Mamiya RBproS lens(es), Canon EF lenses, Olympus OM lens(es0, Voightalender lenses (well, maybe for them will get dedicated filters), Yashica MAT124, so that is why I would like "universal" (as possibile( solution...

How good are Cokin filters, I see prices are affordable for me, but what is quality?

I am ready for any good advice or filter manufacturer, doesn't have to be Lee...

you've got all those cameras and lenses and you're penny pinching over a decent filter and lens shade kit?

 

[jeroldharter]

I used to use Lee filters but stopped. I think they are a little fragile compared to screw in filters. They are pricey. The plastic filter holder is bulky and all of the cordura pouches for each filter are bulky. Also, I had some vignetting issues with wide angle lenses on my Pentax 67. They work well if you need a graduated neutral density filter though.

Now I do almost all black and white photography and use screw in filters with step up rings.

 

[haris]

you've got all those cameras and lenses and you're penny pinching over a decent filter and lens shade kit?

Cost of set of Lee filters and Lee lens shade is about halw I payed for my Voigtlaender kit (bessa R2a, 35mm PII and 75mm lenses) . That is no small money for filters, I mean 300GBP (around 450EUROS) and price for my kit was about 700 EUROS, not to mention time to save money for it. If I had money I would buy Leica not Voightlaender

Mamiya was bought secondhand, and even that way it took me three years to save money for it.

Canon I borrowed money to buy and tooked me few years to pay it back.

Oly was gift. Yashica was payed 50 EUROS...

And it tooked me 10 years to buy all that stuff.

My monthly income is 500 EUROS, so yes, I am taking care how much money to spend on decent filter set and lens shade...

Especially as photography doesn't earn me any money, and money is not reason for getting into photography...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Haris,

I'd go for Lee instead of Cokin -- better quality, more choice, standard 100mm size, self-supporting lens shades -- but there are others such as Cromatek that cost less than Lee and are pretty good. Filters have to be really lousy before they degrade image quality, so mostly you're paying for precise colour control/repeatability, and neutrality of greys and polarizers.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[haris]

Thank you Roger.

 

[percepts]

Cost of set of Lee filters and Lee lens shade is about halw I payed for my Voigtlaender kit (bessa R2a, 35mm PII and 75mm lenses) . That is no small money for filters, I mean 300GBP (around 450EUROS) and price for my kit was about 700 EUROS, not to mention time to save money for it. If I had money I would buy Leica not Voightlaender

Mamiya was bought secondhand, and even that way it took me three years to save money for it.

Canon I borrowed money to buy and tooked me few years to pay it back.

Oly was gift. Yashica was payed 50 EUROS...

And it tooked me 10 years to buy all that stuff.

My monthly income is 500 EUROS, so yes, I am taking care how much money to spend on decent filter set and lens shade...

Especially as photography doesn't earn me any money, and money is not reason for getting into photography...

£85.00 doulble slotted lens shade
£16.00 per adapter ring lets assume 4 = £64.00
£12.00 per 100mm^2 polyester filter x 4 = £48.00

which totals < £200 plus VAT and since you don't live in EU you should not have to pay VAT

I don't think Lee do a "Soft" as in softar type as these tend to be actual glass screw in lenses.

Resin filters are a lot more expensive.

 

[wirehead]

Or you can put Lee polyester filters in a Cokin gel adapter... that ends up cheap.

 

[haris]

£85.00 doulble slotted lens shade
£16.00 per adapter ring lets assume 4 = £64.00
£12.00 per 100mm^2 polyester filter x 4 = £48.00

which totals < £200 plus VAT and since you don't live in EU you should not have to pay VAT

I don't think Lee do a "Soft" as in softar type as these tend to be actual glass screw in lenses.

Resin filters are a lot more expensive.

Plus transport, plus bank fees, plus custom and tax duties of my country which are 28%

 

[percepts]

Plus transport, plus bank fees, plus custom and tax duties of my country which are 28%

emigrate

 

[kswatapug]

I've found the most economical way to go with the LEE system is to purchase the holder you want and the adaptor ring you need to attach the holder to the largest diameter lens in your kit, and then purchase non-LEE step-up rings to get you from your smaller lenses to the LEE adaptor ring.

The system itself is a joy to use. I've not seen the new COKIN Z series in person, but compared to the old Cokin P Series adaptor and filters, the LEE system is much better. I use my LEE holders and filters with three camera systems, and actually bought the LEE setup to use with my Pentax 67's 45mm lens, which has a diameter of 82mm. I used to have major vignetting problems with the COKIN P series when using that lens. Not so with LEE.

And the LEE graduated neutral density filters are essential for color transparency work (though it looks as if you're mostly concerned with B&W). They are true neutral and the extra long version of the filters makes it easy to just darken a thin sliver of the horizon on that same 45mm lens.

 

[haris]

Thank you all.

 

[digiconvert]

Look out for Cromatek in ebay. The quality seems as hood as LEE but for some reason they are really cheap. Another similar brand is HiTech , all seem better than cokin. But the Cokin holders are universal afaik so that's a good way to save costs.

 

[Early Riser]

A heads up, do not use resin, poly or plastic filters with long lenses. They will greatly and quite obviously degrade the image quality. For long lenses stick with glass screw on types.

 

[jordanstarr]

what's the diff between the polyester, resin and glass lee filters? is the difference in the fragility only?

 

[Dan Henderson]

I cast my vote with Roger. I have the Lee filter holder and compendium shade with adapters for Hasselblad 50 and 60, and a couple of other lenses that I sometimes use with 35mm. I use the gel filters, each in its own filter holder for handling convenience. I keep each filter/holder in the original box the filter came in, and all of my filters (+/-10?) store nicely in a small pouch on the side of my backpack. My only problem is remembering to push the shade all of the way in when using a 50mm lens in medium format to avoid vignetting.

 

[naturephoto1]

Haris,

If your lenses allow it, you can get the Cokin P holder and use Lee filters in the Cokin P size. Lee will make any of their filters in the Cokin P size that they do not standardly make in this size. However, they will need to be a special ordered and Lee will charge list price for the P sized filters. The Cokin P size and adapters as I recall run from around 49mm??? to 82mm. For wide angle lenses, Cokin offers a Wide Angle adapter in the P size for use with a single P sized filter.

Rich

 

[DeanC]

A heads up, do not use resin, poly or plastic filters with long lenses. They will greatly and quite obviously degrade the image quality. For long lenses stick with glass screw on types.

So, I've read this assertion three times tonight (been looking at back posts on filters here and on the LF site and photo.net). What I haven't seen though is why. What is it about long lenses and these filter types that cause problems?

 

[CBG]

I don't like using step-ups to get to the adaptors when I can avoid doing so. One time, the step up got really tightly stuck to the adaptor. I separated the two after a wrestling match. Over time I ended up buying the adaptors I need to fit the lenses.

I guess I'm an oddball, but I just love the Lee system for the lens hood rather than the filters. I ended up taking off the rail thingies for adding filters and just attach the hood direct to the adaptors. So I don't use the square / rectangular filters. I guess it's also partly because I use really short lenses most of the time and vignetting gets to be an issue fast, so getting rid of the rails brought the back of the hood to a safer position.

I use threaded glass filters and the adaptor / hood set up. I just love the way one hood works, and simply so, for almost every lens / format / etc I can throw at it -( even shift lenses, by waggling the hood).

I think it's one of the best investments in quality you can make.

About long lenses and plastic filters - long lenses are more prone to degradation from anything not optically perfect.

What's the best? I can't remember which plastics had a refractive index close to air. Anyone know?

Best,

C