All set to buy a B + W CPL when...

[CameraBuff]

I read an article in a photography magazine about a young lady out on a landscaping shoot accompanied by a pro photog. He set her up with a GND rig and there was no mention of any CPL at all.

I like to shoot mostly lansdcapes, lake front and some walk around.

Since, I have read many threads archived here on the varoious filter systems (Lee seems to be the preferred choice) and still would like to know :

Should I go ahead with the CPL or should I try the Lee starter kit; can't get both at this time.

What is everyone here doing, are those Lee systems sitting in your bag not used?

Thanks,

Rob

[Jon]

They each have their uses, depending on the situation. Grads will work regardless of the sun angle, but may not be appropriate when there's lots of reflection (say, from water). And there may be situations where you'd want both. I don't have an unused set of Lee filters in my bag - I use Singh Rays and polarizers :{)#

[Balliolman]

CPL this is a versatile filter you will use time and time again.

[condyk]

Agree with Jon ... and with the Lee system you can always add a CP to it if you need it. Even saying that I do have my Lee kit sitting unused in my bag but that is because I am not much of a landscape shooter ... I also have my CP doing the same!

[homersapien]

Get the CPL first. Chances are you'll use it more frequently than a GND setup. If there was no mention of the CPL, it's because they probably didn't use one! I usually only use a CPL in combination with my GND setup if I need the extra 1 to 1.5 stop reduction.

For less than $50 you could get a Cokin P holder on ebay ($8-10) and a HiTech 2 stop soft GND filter from 2filter.com. That's all you need to get started. At some point you'll probably want to add a 3 stop hard GND, but the 2 stop soft will most likely see the most use.

[Samgoit]

If you want to cheap out, here's a nice stater set for GND:

http://www.2filter.com/prices/htpackages.html

I recommenced getting both a hard and soft edge to start. The soft edge is just that... soft, and it's a bit difficult for me (as a Cokin neophyte) to get the filter positioned perfectly; however, it's doable.

Bad part is, you can't use lens hoods. That gave me some flare problems, YMMV. Cokin does make a modular hood system, though. I just don't know how effective the system is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Modular-Lens-Hood-for-Cokin-P-Series-Filter-Holder_W0QQitemZ310111553328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFil ter_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Cokin also offers a CPL for the P holder. Don't have, so can't comment on it.

[argyle]

If you get the Lee holder (or Z-Pro for that matter), you are not locked in to using filters from those specific companies. But, first things first.

If you can't swing both types of filters, then definitely get the CPL first...its a very versatile filter and, in addition to its more popular uses, can also double as a 1-1/2 to 2-stop neutral density filter. You'll get much more use out of this filter initially.

For landscape shooting, I prefer using GND filters. However, if you get the CPL and have to forgo these for the time being, you can always shoot multiple exposures and blend them afterwards in Photoshop or other similar program. Just shoot one exposure for the foreground and one for the highlights...blend later.

A less expensive alternative than Lee or Singh-Ray filters are filters (GND's) from Hitech...very good filters at a moderate price. For the price of a single Lee filter, you can just about get two Hitechs (if considering S-R, you can get three Hitechs for the price of a single S-R filter). If you go this route, you'll want a holder that's versatile. Unfortunately, the Cokin P holder isn't...it has three fixed slots that cannot be removed. The two holders that are adjustable are the Lee foundation kit and the Cokin Z-Pro. I won't go into too much detail, but the Lee is the better holder of the two and is not much more expensive (last time I checked, it was about $12 more than the Z-Pro). If you search the forum, you'll come across a lot of discussions with regard to the two holders.

But definitely, if its one or the other, go with the CPL.

[CameraBuff]

Thanks for the advise and links,

For now I will go with the B + W CPL and later try to pick up the Lee filter system but with the Hitech GND'S.

[argyle]

Thanks for the advise and links,

For now I will go with the B + W CPL and later try to pick up the Lee filter system but with the Hitech GND'S.

A wise decision. Just remember: if and when you spring for the Lee foundation kit holder, be sure to get the wide angle adapter ring (as opposed to the standard ring).

[CameraBuff]

Thanks Argyle, I see that lee system wide angle adapter is out of stock just about everywhere anyway at this time.

I also found some additional links on GND's and now I am thinking I may go with the GND set up and later add the 105mm CPL adapter and filter - I have to read those posts and threads over again.