Post Your Graduated Neutral Density Sample Shots Please

Ursie wrote in post #7206420
I'm pretty sure this has been covered, but I can't seem to find it within the post. Can someone tell me why I would want to buy the Lee holder and adapter instead of buying Lee P sized filters and a Cokin P holder and adapter?

I have Cokin P-series holder and adapter, then i upgraded to Cokin Z-Pro holder and adapter [wide angle adapter], then now to LEE holder and adapter.

With Cokin P-series, i see vignetting with my 16-35 on FF so easy until i zoom to about 24mm, and with Cokin Z-pro i can still see it until 19-20mm, but with LEE i don't see any vignetting at 16mm, that is mostly if you use some filters with it like CPL or ND, so i am happy using LEE now, the number of vignetting with LEE is much lower than with Cokin.

Can someone take a peek at my list and tell me if I have the correct items that will work with my existing lens.

I have mostly 77mm lens sizes. I am assuming that there is no way to use a filter on my Sigma 12-24. I decided I wanted to go with the quality of Lee right off as I usually regret starting with the cheaper stuff. I'm not sure on the filter holder especially since I've seen some of their holders which appear to go for $350. That sounded kinda crazy!

Filters
Adapter
Holder

Looks good, although I would recommend Hitech filters. Cheaper than Lee and pretty much the same thing.

Ursie wrote in post #7206420
I'm pretty sure this has been covered, but I can't seem to find it within the post. Can someone tell me why I would want to buy the Lee holder and adapter instead of buying Lee P sized filters and a Cokin P holder and adapter?

The P holder has three slots that are fixed (you can't remove any of them). For wide angle lenses, you'd need to carry an additional wide angle holder, or do what some folks do and buy a second P holder and cut off two of the three slots. PITA, not to mention a much higher probability of vignetting when using a holder that's not adjustable.

The design of the Lee holder, along with its wide angle adapter ring, pretty much greatly reduces/eliminates the chances of vignetting. Its a little more expensive than its competitor (Cokin Z-Pro), but then again its a much better design and much more functional.

The filters themselves are another thing. Forget the Cokins...this leaves Hitech, Lee and Singh-Ray. Personally, I use Hitech filters. They're great filters ate a moderate price. All three brands are made from polyester resin...Hitechs are 4x5, Lee and S-R are 4x6. I've been using Hitech for years and just don't see a need to pay much more for Lee or S-R.

argyle wrote in post #7225513
The filters themselves are another thing. Forget the Cokins...this leaves Hitech, Lee and Singh-Ray. Personally, I use Hitech filters. They're great filters ate a moderate price. All three brands are made from polyester resin...Hitechs are 4x5, Lee and S-R are 4x6. I've been using Hitech for years and just don't see a need to pay much more for Lee or S-R.

Where do you find HiTEch for less than Lee. The only ones I could find were $150 a piece. Definately not cheaper.

One thing I thought would make the Lee filters worthwhile is to use only the ND portion if I need to darken for motion blur in water and that sort of thing. Is this possible with a 4x5?

Ursie wrote in post #7227240
Where do you find HiTEch for less than Lee. The only ones I could find were $150 a piece. Definately not cheaper.

Here: http://www.2filter.com​/index.htm

Ursie wrote in post #7227240
One thing I thought would make the Lee filters worthwhile is to use only the ND portion if I need to darken for motion blur in water and that sort of thing. Is this possible with a 4x5?

I don't think so with a wide-angle lens. The darkened portion would not cover the lens entirely and it's not a constant ND. Regular Hitech ND's are a little cheaper and nice to have around for that motion blur effect.

Ursie wrote in post #7227240
Where do you find HiTEch for less than Lee. The only ones I could find were $150 a piece. Definately not cheaper.

Wow...not sure where you do your shopping, but the Hitech GND's are less than $70 each at 2filter.com

As far as getting double-duty out of a GND as a part-time ND, I don't bother with it. If I need an ND for a specific purpose, that's what I use (they're more consistent versus using a graduated filter that may not be consistent across your entire FOV). I have a 3, 6, and 10-stop threaded ND's that I carry when necessary. A good CPL will also act as a 1.5 to 2-stop ND.

Perhaps I was looking at the wrong thing. It was 2filter that I saw that price. I'll have to look again. However, the price for the Lee 4x6 at Amazon in the 3 pack which includes a 1stop, 2stop and 3stop works out to only $80 per filter, so the price isn't exhorbitantly more and you have the extra inch to work with.

I am happy with my Hitech GND filters, i remember i bought few from B&H even it was pricey before i know about 2filters, but still it was cheaper than LEE or Singh-Ray, i even bought one Reversed GND from SR that cost about 3 filters of Hitech or 2 of LEE maybe.

Good luck

Ursie wrote in post #7227528
Perhaps I was looking at the wrong thing. It was 2filter that I saw that price. I'll have to look again. However, the price for the Lee 4x6 at Amazon in the 3 pack which includes a 1stop, 2stop and 3stop works out to only $80 per filter, so the price isn't exhorbitantly more and you have the extra inch to work with.

That's not a bad price for three filters, but you'll probably find that a 1-stop GND is pretty much useless (which means that you're actually paying $240 for two useful filters, or $120 per filter). I'd shop around and look at the kits that 2filter has to offer...I seriously doubt that you'd find much use at all for a 1-stop filter. I haven't, and I've been shooting with GND's for many years.

argyle wrote in post #7227857
That's not a bad price for three filters, but you'll probably find that a 1-stop GND is pretty much useless (which means that you're actually paying $240 for two useful filters, or $120 per filter). I'd shop around and look at the kits that 2filter has to offer...I seriously doubt that you'd find much use at all for a 1-stop filter. I haven't, and I've been shooting with GND's for many years.

Is it not useful for stacking on top of the 3 stop when you want just a little boost?

Now thats a useful thread. Just subscribing for future reference

Well, I finally made my purchase.
1 x LEE Filters Holder Adaptor Ring - Wide Angle (10681) = £26.00
Thread Size 77mm
1 x LEE Holder System - Foundation Kit (10683) = £39.00
1 x LEE Filters Holder Adaptor Ring - Standard (10680) = £14.00
Thread Size 77mm
1 x Hitech 100 ND Grad Filter Kit (SOFT Edge) (10360) = £59.00
1 x LEE Filters Multi filter pouch (10 filters) (10695) = £24.00
The whole will cost me about $230 American. Seems pretty good considering I was looking at filter's alone for that price. If anyone would like to check out this site, you can see it here

Ursie wrote in post #7295487
Well, I finally made my purchase.
1 x LEE Filters Holder Adaptor Ring - Wide Angle (10681) = £26.00
Thread Size 77mm
1 x LEE Holder System - Foundation Kit (10683) = £39.00
1 x LEE Filters Holder Adaptor Ring - Standard (10680) = £14.00
Thread Size 77mm
1 x Hitech 100 ND Grad Filter Kit (SOFT Edge) (10360) = £59.00
1 x LEE Filters Multi filter pouch (10 filters) (10695) = £24.00
The whole will cost me about $230 American. Seems pretty good considering I was looking at filter's alone for that price. If anyone would like to check out this site, you can see it here

Why 2 holder adapter rings? one is enough, basically if you got that wide angle then the other one is useless or worthless.

Almost i have same setup or kit except i have only one adapter ring wide angle 77mm and i have 4x5 Hitech GND [Soft and hard] filters.

Good luck and waiting your results!