ND filters

Hi all i am looking for a decent ND filter kit for 72. 77 and possibly 82mm lenses i own.

I have heard about the LEE filter systems that seem to be similar to a cokin system and was wondering if i should invest in one of these instead of buying an individual ND filter for different lens threads?

i am looking for 2-4 and possibly an 8 stopper ND filter.

My budget is around 250.

Kind regards

Whilst the Lee system is excellent quality and very adaptable as changes in your lens line-up occur, you'll struggle to get everything on your list for £250.
You'll be typically paying £100 each for the 6 stop and 10 stop and only marginally less for the 2-4 stop filters.
Add in a holder......£50 and adapter rings for you lenses @ £20 each (£35 if you add a wide angle) and you can see where the budget is lacking.

I'd still advise you to go for Lee system but build it up as and when funds permit.

Bob

If you don't need graduated filters, I'd say screw-in filters is a better option - more compact, cheaper, more choices (different brands). Buy filters for the largest lens you have, and then a set of step-down rings - they take little space and are cheap.

As mentioned above if you don't need graduated filters go with good screw in glass filters. Gowith the largest size and use step rings. Be aware that step rings can cause vignetting on ultrawide lenses.

Thanks. Which company should i look out for Screw glass filters?

B+w, hoya pro are good. Haida makes a reasonably priced 9 stop filter also look at marumi. It really depends on how much you want to invest and how much effect you want.

B+W NDs are great. Buy the 82mm size and then get the 72 and 77mm step up rings for $2 on ebay.

Lee system is baller, but the setup and the filters get expensive quickly. It is amazingly flexible and high quality, but you gotta pay for it!

Agree on screw-ins in your largest diameter and step rings for smaller lenses. It's the cheapest, lightest, and easiest way to go.

jonneymendoza wrote in post #17162697
Hi all i am looking for a decent ND filter kit for 72. 77 and possibly 82mm lenses i own.

I have heard about the LEE filter systems that seem to be similar to a cokin system and was wondering if i should invest in one of these instead of buying an individual ND filter for different lens threads?

i am looking for 2-4 and possibly an 8 stopper ND filter.

My budget is around 250.

Kind regards

Heya,

$250 for quality filters will get you.... 1 or 2 filters. I would suggest you get the biggest filter you can, and use step up rings to use it on any of your lenses. No need to get a filter per lens.

You're going to be hard pressed to find an 8 stop filter. You will find common stop points at 2 stop, 3 stop, 4 stop, 6 stop and 10 stop. If you think you need an 8 stop, just get a 10 stop. You'll eventually want one anyways if you're playing with that much stopping power. Or, get a 6 stop. I find 2 stops to be not really worth it since a CPL stops 1 stop or so on it's own, and you can often drop ISO to 50 on some most professional cameras, producing a similar effect as using a 2 stop filter. I find having a 3 or 4 stop, and either a 6 or 10 stop is a good start.

Really depends on what you are trying to do. I would do a 4 stop and 10 stop personally. Less stacking to get more stopping power. If you get lighter stopping power, you may end up stacking them depending on what you're trying to achieve, and things can get difficult or poor the more you stack (not so much the case with quality filters, but reflections, ghosting, aberrations, etc, can become issues in bright light).

You could use screw-on circular filters, Hoya, Marumi, Haida, B+W all make great filters. If you go the square route, Lee, Haida, and HiTech make some great stuff at reasonable prices. But square filters need holder systems, and this overall gets more expensive very quickly.

It really comes down to what you're wanting to achieve with ND filters.

Very best,

rgs wrote in post #17164304
Agree on screw-ins in your largest diameter and step rings for smaller lenses. It's the cheapest, lightest, and easiest way to go.

Thank. i will go with this solution

If you want to save a little cash you could try Haida filters, they seem to have less colorcast then the bigger names. Might want to check them out, I love mine, but have nothing to compare it to

mine1 wrote in post #17165134
If you want to save a little cash you could try Haida filters, they seem to have less colorcast then the bigger names. Might want to check them out, I love mine, but have nothing to compare it to

yea i got a 10 stop haia filter and a hoya 4 stop one along with all the step down adapters. job done!

I have that 10 stop and love it

Yea its brilliant!