Lee Filter Holder - worth the money?

Hello - there are so many posts on Lee filters - i hope I'm not repeating a topic.

I am currently studying on a part time college course in digital photography. I want to do a project on landscapes.

I was wondering whether to purchase this Lee filter holder :

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …TF8&qid=1321131​678&sr=1-1

My questions are: 1. can I use other filters other than Lee (e.g. cheaper makes like cokin) 2. What are the basic filters I would need for good landscape shots? 3. Should I ditch circular filters alltogether? 4. Are filters essential for good landscape photography?

Read through this thread, its got most of the answers to your questions
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1101533

Thanks.

ryanlikealion wrote in post #13390815
Hello - there are so many posts on Lee filters - i hope I'm not repeating a topic.

I am currently studying on a part time college course in digital photography. I want to do a project on landscapes.

I was wondering whether to purchase this Lee filter holder :

https://www.amazon.co.​uk …TF8&qid=1321131​678&sr=1-1

My questions are: 1. can I use other filters other than Lee (e.g. cheaper makes like cokin) 2. What are the basic filters I would need for good landscape shots? 3. Should I ditch circular filters alltogether? 4. Are filters essential for good landscape photography?

1.) Yes. Any 4" wide filter (100mm) will fit. I've used both Lee and Hitecg filters in mine without any problems.

2.) For landscape shooting, three creative filters are necessary: Graduated Neutral Density (GND), Neutral Density (ND), and a Circular Polarizer (CPL). Its possible to replicate the effects of a GND with software, but in some these results won't work too well.

3.) No...circular filters have their place. I have both circular and square/rectangular filters in my photographic toolbox.

4.) In my opinion, yes.

Argyle, thankyou for your reply.

So along with my Lee Foundation Holder I was considering this set of graduated filters. http://www.amazon.co.u​k …9X4/ref=pd_bxgy​_ce_text_c

Any good? (I'm not a pro - im just experimenting with filters at this stage)

On top of this I will need a CPL. I was thinking a Hoya screw oin one may do.

ryanlikealion wrote in post #13391305
Argyle, thankyou for your reply.

So along with my Lee Foundation Holder I was considering this set of graduated filters. http://www.amazon.co.u​k …9X4/ref=pd_bxgy​_ce_text_c

Any good? (I'm not a pro - im just experimenting with filters at this stage)

On top of this I will need a CPL. I was thinking a Hoya screw oin one may do.

The Hitechs will work fine, although some have reported a colorcast. I used Hitechs for a few years and never experienced a colorcast, so it could be just a "batch" thing depending on when they were made. As far as threaded polarizer goes, I wouldn't recommend a Hoya...some of them have a tendency to fall apart unexpectedly in the user's hands. Not sure which Hoya models are prone to this, but there are plenty of threads on this very topic in this and other forums. I'd recommend a B+W MRC circular polarizer or, if you didn't want to budget that much, then possibly a Marumi circular polarizer (gets good reviews, and about half the price of a B+W).

Thanks again Argyle, very useful info for me at this point.

I would just recommend buying the filters separately, I don't think you'll find much use for the 1 stop, so its wasted money.

Also, I'd recommend buying them on this site instead, and buying the 150mm (4x6) over the "standard" 4x5, because then you get more flexibility:
http://teamworkphoto.c​om …jfdrgam1brgi7ss​6deolpnei6

But if you do prefer getting the shorter filters, they're cheaper on teamwork photo anyway:
http://teamworkphoto.c​om …jfdrgam1brgi7ss​6deolpnei6

For starting out, I'd recommend a 3 stop soft GND and a 2 stop hard, and if you're into sunrise/sunset photography, pair those with a 3 stop reverse GND. That should cover most scenarios.

Also, the Lee foundation kit is quite a bit cheaper here:
http://www.studiokitdi​rect.co.uk …ers/Holder_Syst​em_Kit.htm

These sites are where I buy my filters and accessories, so I know they're reliable, you don't need to worry about that.

Sirrith wrote in post #13392754
I
For starting out, I'd recommend a 3 stop soft GND and a 2 stop hard, and if you're into sunrise/sunset photography, pair those with a 3 stop reverse GND. That should cover most scenarios.

Thanks for this help Sirrith. Its good to be clear about which filters I'm likely to need. And I appreciate the links to these sites which are selling the equipment for cheaper.

This may seem like a dumb question, but i just need to clarify. When you say a "3 stop filter" i'm assuming this is the 0.9 GND??? And the 2 stop is the 0.6?

Oh and if anyone can link me to some examples of good work using filters - either their own or other pro/amateur photographers - that'd be great!!! Looking for inspiration.

ryanlikealion wrote in post #13392967
This may seem like a dumb question, but i just need to clarify. When you say a "3 stop filter" i'm assuming this is the 0.9 GND??? And the 2 stop is the 0.6?

You're welcome.

Thats right, 0.9 means 3 stops, 0.6= 2, 0.3 = 1

And here's some shots using filters:
2 stop soft GND:

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png' | Redirected to error image by ZENFOLIO PROTECTED

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png' | Redirected to error image by ZENFOLIO PROTECTED

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png' | Redirected to error image by ZENFOLIO PROTECTED

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png' | Redirected to error image by ZENFOLIO PROTECTED

ryanlikealion wrote in post #13392977
Oh and if anyone can link me to some examples of good work using filters - either their own or other pro/amateur photographers - that'd be great!!! Looking for inspiration.

Try this thread - if the images in here don't inspire you .. don't bother with filters

https://photography-on-the.net …hlight=big+stop​per&page=1

One one of mine [LEE CP, LEE GND 3 STOP SOFT)

Isn't a reverse GND just a GND upside down?

A reverse GND starts darkest at the horizon and goes lighter on the way up. You could not use a standard GND this way and still cover the entire lens with glass.

anthony11 wrote in post #13393396
Isn't a reverse GND just a GND upside down?

no. It's very similar to a standard GND, except the top most portion has another transition where it gets lighter, but not clear like the bottom.