Hitech VS singh ray or lee GND filters....

i know alot of people here are using the Hitech including myself... im getting ready to make an investment in 3-4 more filters and before doing so wanted to ask some advice. Who is using the singh ray or lee filters instead of the Hitech? If they are all Resin based then is there really a huge quality difference? I dont mind investing in the more expensive filters if it is justified... thanks in advance

I use Singh Ray - never tried any of the others; Galen Rowell recommended them in his column in OP, and I have no reason to doubt his assessment. The Hitech are much thinner than Singh-Ray filters, so may be more vulnerable to tearing, punctures, or other damage.

im looking at getting my first set of filters and im slowly swaying towards the hitec

Haven't had any issues with my Hitechs. When not in use they go back in their protected pouch.

i just ordered a paded filter case from B&H... that plastic one that Hitech gives you is garbage... it actually scratches the filter if you arent really really careful..

I have the same question. Hitech vs Singh Ray vs Lee. Do any of them give color casts? Do any of them diminish sharpness? Is the larger size of the Singh Ray needed for positioning the horizon?

I've been using the Hitech GND filters for several years without any problems, and recently switched to Lee filters (only because the missus gave me a set as a gift)...had no complaints with the Hitechs. The Hitechs are about 0.5mm thinner than the Lees, but this never seemed to be an issue...the filters never came loose from my Lee holder. Lee and Singh-Ray filters are 4x6, the Hitechs are 4x5. The extra inch may come in handy but, to be honest, the 4x5 filters were just fine for me as far as positioning goes (and I shoot a 17-40L on a 5D2). Either brand, you won't go wrong.

Never used the others, but I am most pleased with my Singh Ray Galen Rowell 3 stop soft grad ND. I will likely get the 2-3 stop reverse ND grad (Daryl Benson perhaps) as well. Top quality stuff. Read more on the Singh Ray website. Take your time and get what you want. Not the kind of thing to rush into.

I upgraded to Lee and Singh Ray after finding the Hitechs gave a colour cast on my 40D. I get a very, very slight warm cast from the Lee and a very very slight cool cast with the Singh Ray. I'm pretty happy with this though as I use it to my advantage.

To be honest I'm just really picky and if I hadn't of said anything you probably couldn't tell from the RAW files.

Simon