LEE filter options (read before buy!)

I just made a small document to show you guys what you can do with just three (LEE or Cokin like system) filters.

I see lot's of people buying some extra reversed filters or ND filters, but you can do it all with a set of 3 GND hard filters. So i created this topic to save some money for some people.

Here is a list I made with ALL possible combinations with just three different filters:

This can be obtained by a GND 0.3/0.6/0.9 hard grad.

Using normal GNDs as reverse grads doesn't work well. If you look at a reverse grad, you'll see the bottom edge is lighter, which then darkens, and then lightens again. This provides a smooth transition in the picture. If you simply flip a GND around, you will get a very hard transition line in the result, which looks weird and quite bad.

I can't talk from experience because I have never used filters before (but am interested in purchasing some), however I think that some of your combinations are unrealistic.

For example, many people say that stacking 3 filters is pushing the bounds. Also, would you be proposing that to fake a reverse grad you would place half of the filter over the lens? Im sure doing something like this would introduce some form of diffraction as the light goes around the edge of the filter.

I would be interested to hear what other people who actually own filters have to say about this.

Sirrith wrote in post #14430319
Using normal GNDs as reverse grads doesn't work well. If you look at a reverse grad, you'll see the bottom edge is lighter, which then darkens, and then lightens again. This provides a smooth transition in the picture. If you simply flip a GND around, you will get a very hard transition line in the result, which looks weird and quite bad.

I don't have a reverse grad, but just tested this out yesterday. IMO it works pretty well. There are no REAL hard edges in my opinion. Ofcourse a reverse grad will work better. But this is an option too.

pixelsoldier wrote in post #14430320
I can't talk from experience because I have never used filters before (but am interested in purchasing some), however I think that some of your combinations are unrealistic.

For example, many people say that stacking 3 filters is pushing the bounds. Also, would you be proposing that to fake a reverse grad you would place half of the filter over the lens? Im sure doing something like this would introduce some form of diffraction as the light goes around the edge of the filter.

I would be interested to hear what other people who actually own filters have to say about this.

You don't need to pull the half of the filter in front of the lens. Otherwise you can see the boundry's indeed.

You have to do it like this:

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Bonbridge, I realize that this would be asking a lot, but could you possible post some pictures where you have used some of these combinations of filters?

Thanks

I haven't used it already. I don't live in a country with extraordinary Sunsets! :P

A second way to save a lot of money very easely with LEE filters:

Don't buy more than one adapter and never take the smallest one even it's your mosed used lens. Take the biggest you need. You can buy then a couple of step up rings to cover every lens diameter.

I bought one for $1,45 from ebay and it works perfectly!
http://www.ebay.com …1497.l2649#ht_2​815wt_1166
That will save you 48 euro's for each ring.

Here is a simple picture how to use 2 gradients to get a reversed grad. In my opinion are the corners not that hard.

Here is a picture where I accidentally pushed my filter too low (I was using it as an ND), just to show what happens when a standard GND edge is shown in the frame. Personally I think that transition is far too obvious:

Thanks for the picture!

But this is not the good way to use a reversed grad. You have to use it with a low sun. So the dark part covers the lightest part of the image ofcourse. I think it will work pretty well.

Everyone did know this already

Bonbridge wrote in post #14511494
Thanks for the picture!

But this is not the good way to use a reversed grad. You have to use it with a low sun. So the dark part covers the lightest part of the image ofcourse. I think it will work pretty well.

Everyone did know this already

I know, I wasn't using it as a reverse grad, I explained it was a mistake

I've been thinking about buying a reverse grad so may give this a try first, I do a lot of seascapes so the bottom transition being hard won't be a problem as it will be on the horizon but I use hard grads so the top transition in the sky might be too harsh... will let you know

WHile I'm here, what are the options for 100x150mm reverse grads, I've only found hitech so far

Hitech or Singh Ray. Basically Hitech is the only option as SR are overpriced.

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered 2 step-up rings to cover my lense selection. Fortunately, the Lee adapter had the widest radius.

r.kristoffersen wrote in post #14614960
Thanks for the tip. I just ordered 2 step-up rings to cover my lense selection. Fortunately, the Lee adapter had the widest radius.

I personally just buy the standard Lee adapter rings for my non-UWA lenses rather than step-up rings, they're not that expensive and I'm too lazy to fiddle with adapting an adapter