Lee Grad. ND starter set (I can only get one at this point)

[tunin]

Hello all,

I was wondering what would I be happier to start with? I wanna eventually get the alternate set but what set do I get first? Thank you.

HARD SET (http://www.adorama.com/LENDGS.html)
SOFT SET (http://www.adorama.com/LENDGSS.html)

Or should I make my own set ie. 0.3 hard, 0.9 hard and a 0.6 soft?

I will also get a Lee holder and a few adapter rings? Any input would be greatly appropriated. Thank you.

[jcothron]

Depends on what you're going to be shooting, but probably for me it was the hard set. In fact I just got it in the last week or so. If you don't mind me asking where are you purchasing it?

Depends on what lens you're putting it on for the rings...as well as how much stacking you think you may want to do. The wide-angle version is available and I got it for my 24mm just in case. I also got another of the normal adaptor rings since I knew on that lens I'd have no possibility of vignetting.

[timeasterday]

I wouldn't buy the set. A 0.3 GND is really not going to be that useful. Get 0.9 hard and soft and maybe a 0.6 soft too (or hard if you shoot more seascapes than landscapes).

[tunin]

Thank you. Good points. I was debating for a while if I should get something cheap to try things out and see what I need the most but I don't wanna spend
and throw an extra 50 - 100 on Cokin so I am going with lee to start with. I mainly need it for landscape.

Timeasterday, I don't have any experience with this type of filters so you are probably right, the 0.3 might not be that useful. Perhaps I should go the way you suggested. Thank you.

Jconthron, not sure where I'll buy them, I don't thing hvstar has any of this type of filters :-) Probably BHphoto.com

[jcothron]

Thank you. Good points. I was debating for a while if I should get something cheap to try things out and see what I need the most but I don't wanna spend
and throw an extra 50 - 100 on Cokin so I am going with lee to start with. I mainly need it for landscape.

Timeasterday, I don't have any experience with this type of filters so you are probably right, the 0.3 might not be that useful. Perhaps I should go the way you suggested. Thank you.

Jconthron, not sure where I'll buy them, I don't thing hvstar has any of this type of filters :-) Probably BHphoto.com


Try www.thefilterconnection.com . They'll be better than B&H prices, and you'll also get free shipping with that size order. Talk to John there he's a good guy.

I know most people recommend not getting the .3 GND, but I actually find it useful. On more than one occasion I've needed/wanted a 1 stop difference yet didn't want to use a polarizer to do it. To each his own but I like having it.

It sounds like you'll have a definite horizon more often than not. If that's the case I'd go with the hard edge. I'll end up getting the soft edge also as I do shoot some things where the soft edge would be more appropriate.

Incidentally, the Lee grads are 6" long, so in effect you're also getting a true ND filter in most situations. I use them most often on the 24L, and one end definitely has enough to cover the whole scene should you want to do so.

Have fun with them!

[tunin]

Thanks man, I will look in to this website. I wanna start correct so I can build up and not like with the lenses, I got the kits first and then some tokina and tamron and now all the way L :-)

[jcothron]

I think to some extent we all take that path. I have (and still use on occasion) the 35-80 kit lens that came with the original film Rebel. :)