Printable View
In case anyone is interested the Lee Foundation Kit Filter Holder is available at B&H.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87108-REG/LEE_Filters_FK_Foundation_Kit_Standard_4x4.html
Don't forget that it requires an adapter ring as well.
I know these things are hard to come by!
Good Luck,
Rich
Richard
I have been wanting to get into this LEE system for some time.
As I have decided to that I like this type of filter system, trying to avoid buying different size filters for different lenses.
Could you outline for me exactly what I need beside this kit and the filters of course.
Do I need an adaptor ring for each size lens?
Thanks
Sure, my pleasure!
1) Lee Foundation Kit
2) Common Adapter Rings are 77mm or 82mm, but depends on what your lenses are. These rings come in standard or wide. You don't need one for every lens, but some people buy them for convenience. You're better off getting the "wide adapter ring versions" so, as to reduce your chances of vignetting. The wide works on a regular lens, but the regular doesn't always work on a wide lens.
The only thing is that the wide rings can't accept regular lens caps (lee makes their own caps for this). You can buy the 82mm wide and then buy step-up rings from a 77mm lens if needed. I have the 82mm wide adapter and a 77mm to 82mm B+W step-up ring.
3) Graduated Neutral Density filters 4" x 6'' or 100mm x 150mm and 2mm thick are mostly available in resin, 1-stop, 2-stop ,and 3-stop these come in hard and soft transitions. Hard is for ocean horizons, plains or plateaus, and soft is for mountains, tree lines, and/or uneven terrain. These filters hold back the bright sky; they are darker on top and clear on the bottom. Schneider makes glass (higher quality) GND filters which are 4mm and of course thicker, which have the potential to vignette more with stacking a few. Lee and Singh-Ray are considered very good. Singh-ray also makes a Reverse ND Grad in various f-stops, for sunrise/sunsets which transitions from light, to dark and then to light again.
4) Solid Neutral Density Filters; Lee Glass 4" x 4" or 100mm X 100mm 2mm thick or Singh-Ray Resin 4" x 6'' or 100mm x 150mm and 2mm thick (Lee makes Pro Glass Versions in 2-stop, 3-stop and 10-stop) may be added to the holder and are used to slow your shutter-speed further, for longer exposures for waterfalls, rivers, and ocean surf.
5) Circular Polarizer 105mm: Round Version (105mm ring mounted to front of foundation kit, there is an additional mounting ring that must be purchased separately) or Square Version 4" x 4" (which is also a circular polarizer as opposed to a linear polarizer, the circular will work with AF) fits into a slot on holder to reduce reflections, also mounted closer to the lens in the holder, to further reduce the chance of vignetting. Turned in 90 degree increments only, so there is a little less fine tuning than the circular front ring holder mounted version.
Go ahead ask away!
I just ordered the the kit (notice they sell a tandum adaptor if you want to mount two together, I think I will wait on this idea).
Ok adaptors: I will be using a 17-40, 24-70, 24 prime, and 70-200 all with a 77mm front mount
So I will be buying the WIDE 77 adaptor (but of course it is out of stock)
So you are saying that with the adaptor on my lens cap will not fit.
I have not been able to locate a LEE lens cap (can you give me a source)
So say I want to change locations and pack up.
Do I leave the adaptor ring on and the filter kit, remove the filter, and put the lens cap on. Or do I need to take the whole thing apart?
If so why not just take off the adaptor ring and not get another lens cap?
Do you have any trouble with the step up rings and the adaptor rings?
Thanks in advance
Congrats on the purchase!
Correct, you don't need the tandem adapter.
They have the 82mm wide adapter with the 77mm-82mm step-up ring.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87148-REG/LEE_Filters_WAR082_Adapter_Ring_82mm.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...p_up_Ring.html
They also have cheaper step-up rings if you want:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=step-up+ring+77+82&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&ipp=100
The lens cap wont clip onto the wide adapter, but it will clip onto the standard adapter.
Also, if you're going to have a step-up ring, then the 77-82mm is a good one to have. If it was a weird size then I probably would have bought a cheaper one.
You can just unclick the foundation kit and unscrew the adapter ring and use a regular lens cap. I just wanted you to have all of the info, regarding regular vs. wide adapter rings. Some people like to leave the adapter rings on their lenses for convenience. The lee caps are back-ordered too.
No troubles at all, the step-up ring works perfectly!
I just fixed the links!
The EF-S 10-22mm and the EF-24-105 f/4L IS are also 77mm.
But, the EF-16-35mm f/2.8L II is 82mm and the new EF-24-70mm f/2.8L II will also be 82mm, so the 82mm wide adapter with the 77mm-82mm step-up ring is a good way to go. So, the set-up I recommended above will work with all of the lenses you listed as well as the ones that I have listed.
Rich
Great information
I decided to go with the 82mm adaptor ring and the 77-82 step up like you suggested.
Will allow for the other lens options at the 82mm thread.
Thank you for all your help.
Now I get to play with the great selection of filters.
My Visa thanks you also.
iND
Do the adapters come in 86mm?
Just curious, because I've got some MF glass, a 50mm f/4 (is about as wide as a 24mm on FF), with 86mm threads. Step-rings down to 72mm or smaller don't vignette even on FF, but one day when I buy an MF body i'm going to invest in a good filter system too.
Or what's the next size above this kit?
Awesome, I'm glad I could help! You're getting a really nice set-up there!
Remember, that you could probably still use your current regular 77mm screw-in CPL on the front of your lens, (I would take off the UV filter if you use one) and then attach the step-up ring to the CPL, and then the wide adapter ring, and so on. Of course the wider the lens, then the greater the concern of vignetting on FF, as you start to use the slots further out on the foundation kit.
Edited:
Of course this setup is a little less convenient, because if you want to take off the CPL, then you have to remove the foundation kit, as opposed to using the round 105mm CPL $300 which screws into the optional front ring $52 of the foundation kit with it's own adapter ring, or Square 4"X4" CPL $189 which fits in a slot on the holder, with no extra mounting hardware to buy.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...er_Filter.html
and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/218398-REG/LEE_Filters_FP105_Accessory_Front_Thread_Adapter.h tml
or this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...zer_Glass.html
When you're ready to discuss filters just let me know!
Have Fun,
Rich
It appears they do make an 86mm adapter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Croubie
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Ring_86mm.html
I know Lee makes a Custom 150mm filter holder for the Nikon 12-24mm f/2.8 lens, accepts the wider 150mm x 170mm filters
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...older_Kit.html
There's also the Cokin Z-Pro Filter Holder for 49-96mm filter mounts, which takes 100mm x 150mm filters for some Medium Format:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387303-REG/Cokin_CBZ100_Z_PRO_Filter_Holder_Requires.html
and the Cokin X-Pro Filter Holder for 62-112mm filter mounts, which takes larger 130mm X 170mm filters for some MF:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Requires.html
Im ready to discuss filters.
I have the foundation kit assembled and ready to use.
I have the BIG STOPPER back ordered (6 month back order)
I am wanting to start with some graduated neutral density filters.
.3 .6 and .9
I think I want to stick with Lee.
But what do I want?
Lee Neutral Density Polyester Filter Set w/ Gelsnap Holder (this is .3 .6 and .9) but why is it so inexpensive at $65 for all three
When a single .9 is $95 Lee Neutral Density .9 Graduated Soft Filter 6x4" Resin
=OK so one is polyester?? and one is Resin, is there also a glass version.
I'd rather spend the extra and get the better item, its just kind of confusing.
I've been to the Lee site but I'm still confused.
By the way this will be for outdoor landscapes.
The Big Stopper is for: well the stuff it does best.
Then should I get the polarizer? (square or 105?)
My local camera guys are kind of out of their comfort zone in this area, and I guess I have outgrown a lot of what they are comfortable with.
The poly filter set isn't a graduated filter. They are neutral density and they are 4x4 and come in a kit that you can attach the filter to the front of a lens. I am not sure if they work with the holder, you need to do some investigation. It doesn't appear to be what you want.
If you want a circular polarizer you go with the 105. The other square polarizers will only be linear. But good luck with finding that, I was going to buy a 105 but no one has the holder that attaches it to the lee holder.
Hi iND,
Glad to hear that you got your Lee Foundation Kit. How do you like the kit and step-up ring?
I'll try to help guide you along. I hear you would like to buy the good stuff. So, you don't want the polyester filters, that's the cheap stuff. The polyester filters are for color temperature correction, color effects, and B&W conversion, and neutral density. They are only standard (solid) density and not graduated density, so they don't vary the density from light to dark within the filter. They polyester filters are lower quality than the "resin" graduated neutral density filters, and much lower quality than the "pro glass" solid neutral density filters.
Here are examples of the lower quality polyester filters (that you don't want):
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=lee+polyester
If you want other "solid (not graduated) neutral density" filters that are "less than" the 10-stop Lee Big Stopper (sometimes 10-stops is too much), then you should also consider the "Lee Pro Glass filters" that are available in 2 stop and 3 stops below: These come in 4"X4" (100mm x 100mm) Also keep in mind that the glass CPL is about 1.5 stops. So, you have many f-stop combination options.
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=lee+pro+glass&category=429 4956486
You'll want the Graduated Neutral Density Filters which are Resin in the 4" x 6" size for your holder (100mm x 150mm and 2mm thick). These come in hard or soft transitions:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o..."x4" %26 4"x6"
They are about $95 each, but you can buy the Lee 3 filter kit for $240. I wouldn't recommend the Blender filter, since that transition zone is fairly long at 6 inches, whereas the soft and hard grads have a quicker graduated transition from light to dark. The 1 stop is probably not necessary, however for $50 extra you may want it in the kit. The 0.6 and 0.9 are the most common. Soft is good for varying terrain and hard for flat horizons.
3 filter Kits:
http://www.adorama.com/LENDGS.html
http://www.adorama.com/LENDGSS.html
I discussed the polarizers on the previous page, so you should check that post out and let me know if you have any questions. Lee also makes a "square shaped" Circular polarizer. The square shape doesn't have to mean that it's a linear polarizer, although they also make a square linear polarizer.
Rich
Rich, Lee does have a square one, but to use it you have to rotate your holder This would make it hard to stack additional filters on top. To me this kind of defeats the purpose of having the filter holder in the first place. Or is there a different set up that I don't know about?Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/polariser
If any one comes across the 105mm and the accessory ring to hold it on please let me know. I wanted to take one with me to Yellow Stone next week.
Rick
Rick,Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Yes, Lee makes a square Circular Polarizer (CPL), square linear polarizer and round CPL. (For people that aren't sure what to get, you always want a Circular Polarizer (CPL) whether it's square or round if you would like to maintain AF, because linear polarizers confuse the Auto-focus system of the camera).
You don't have to rotate the entire holder to adjust the square CPL, you can just pull it out of the holder and rotate the square CPL filter in 90 degree increments until you get your desired affect, and then put it back in the holder. You do loose some fine tuning with the square CPL, however you probably don't want the full CPL effect with wide landscapes including the sky, and the full CPL affect also reduces the look of flowing water. If you need fine tuning of the square CPL, then of course you can turn the filter holder and if you have a solid ND in another slot, then it won't affect that either, however you would have to handhold the GND or add extra slots and risk vignetting again. The circular CPL can be fine tuned by turning the dial in less than 90 degree increments.
The square CPL has the advantage of being cheaper, thinner, and being mounted closer to the lens there is less chance of vignetting. You also save money on not having to buy the accessory mounting ring. The disadvantage is that it takes up a slot on the filter holder, which can limit you from adding an additional solid ND and/or GND to the holder or you can always add extra slots and risk vignetting once again.
I'm definitely not pushing the square CPL, I happen to have both the Lee 105mm CPL with accessory ring and the square CPL. I prefer the 105mm round CPL with ring adapter. The only reason I bought the square CPL was because they are always out it and I wanted to own it, because I've heard that the 105mm can vignette with ultra-wides on FF, which is the direction I'm headed in.
Rich
Hi iND,
How's the filter choice going? :)
Rich