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Thread started 07 May 2007 (Monday) 14:37
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INFO - LEE Filters GND and ND - Or any filter like these

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:37 |  #1

Hi all, I've seen quite a few posts that ask about these filters and I thought I would put together a series of images that help to show the differences between Graduated Neutral Density (GND) and Neutral Density (ND) filters when using Hard and Soft versions.

LEE Filters Brochure: http://www.leefilters.​com …ssets/System_Br​ochure.pdf (external link)

So lets go. First of all the technical bit and an apology:

TECHNICAL:
The test shots are 1) metered for the sky and 2) metered for the foreground. All of the shots with GND and ND are then shot when metered for the FOREGROUND (the darkest part).

All of the shots are as the camera metered. I have not added any additional EC (though I would have in the field) for any of the shots.

APOLOGY
Sorry it's not a stunning landscape shot, just thought I would pop out to the back garden and do these tests for you. :-)

The equipment:


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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:39 |  #2

THE ORIGINALS

1) Metered for the Sky: F/11 - 1/350 - ISO200
2) Metered for the ground: F/11 - 1/60 - ISO200 (all GND and ND done with this setting)

1) Metered for the sky, no filters:


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2) Metered for the ground, no filters:

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:42 as a reply to  @ rammy's post |  #3

.3 HARD GND


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.6 HARD GND

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:44 as a reply to  @ rammy's post |  #4

.9 HARD GND


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.3 SOFT GND

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:45 as a reply to  @ rammy's post |  #5

.6 SOFT GND


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.9 SOFT GND

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:46 as a reply to  @ rammy's post |  #6

.3 ND


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.6 ND

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timbernet
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May 07, 2007 14:54 |  #7

Very Nice! Thank you for the test! --- The LEE filter holder looks a lot nicer than my Cokin... hmmm-- anyone want to buy my cokin? ;-)a




  
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rammy
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May 07, 2007 14:58 as a reply to  @ rammy's post |  #8

.9 ND


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SUMMARY

The HARD GND filters give you a faster graduated filter capability across the range where as the SOFT GND filters are much more gradual. But, you do have to compromise the speed at which the Hard and Soft graduate. That is, the HARD filters are dark most of the way until a last inch or so whereas the soft filters start graduating from the top.

See how the HARD filters affect the exposure of the building on the right where as the SOFT filters do not. The light did change a "little" whilst I was swapping the filters round but hopefully this shows enough of what happens. ;-)a

The SOFT help where you have an uneven horizon (foreground or mountains or buildings in the way) and the HARD are more for even horizons such as seascapes and some types of landscapes.

The ND filters affect the whole scene and are commonly used where you want to slow down your camera for shots such as waterfalls, or anything similar where you would like to add some motion blur. Sometimes on a very bright day or scene you may not be able to use a wide aperture because the shutter speed "maxes out". They can also be used to slow the shutter speed down on a bright day or scene and where you would like to use a wide aperture for good DOF as it redices the amount of light entering the lens.

In this example, I used the .9 ND to increase the exposure time so I could get a complete ring of light as the wheel turned (1 revolution every 2 mins) and then play with a zooming effect - 207 sec exposure in total:


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May 07, 2007 15:00 |  #9

Thanks Rammy its very nice to see the effects of each filter. I'm looking at the Lee holder or the Cokin Z-pro, not really sure if one is significantly better than the other...any comments?

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 15:21 |  #10

sugarzebra wrote in post #3166989 (external link)
Thanks Rammy its very nice to see the effects of each filter. I'm looking at the Lee holder or the Cokin Z-pro, not really sure if one is significantly better than the other...any comments?

You're welcome.

I did have 1 of the X-Pro GND Cokin filters originally but went for the Lee ones because I found some vignetting with my 17-40 and some colour casting. Both my 58 and 77mm rings are for WA lenses.

They [Cokin] weren't truley "neutral" in that they did affect the colour of the end image. Maybe the Z-Pro are different now. Also the Lee filters were longer so I could move them further up and down the holder as I required.

The Z-Pro seem to offer 100x150mm length filters and suggest they are better now for WA lenses. Regarding the colour casts, not sure. Maybe someone could post with experience of them.

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timbernet
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May 07, 2007 17:14 |  #11

rammy wrote in post #3167098 (external link)
You're welcome.

I did have 1 of the X-Pro GND Cokin filters originally but went for the Lee ones because I found some vignetting with my 17-40 and some colour casting. Both my 58 and 77mm rings are for WA lenses.

They [Cokin] weren't truley "neutral" in that they did affect the colour of the end image. Maybe the Z-Pro are different now. Also the Lee filters were longer so I could move them further up and down the holder as I required.

The Z-Pro seem to offer 100x150mm length filters and suggest they are better now for WA lenses. Regarding the colour casts, not sure. Maybe someone could post with experience of them.

The Cokin brand Grad-ND filters aren't true ND-filters - they are grad-grey filters. You can buy some Hitech or a few other brands TRUE grad-ND filters that fit in the Cokin slots.

My complaints with the Cokin system is the filter holder rotates very easily on my camera -- once I get it flat with the horizon the slightest little movement shifts it one way or another.




  
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slappy ­ sam
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May 07, 2007 17:24 |  #12

Awesome test. This is really perfect for helping me make up my mind about gnd's. I think I am going to get an adapter ring, 77mm attachment, .6 soft and .9 hard filter. Where would you recommend purchasing these from?

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rammy
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May 07, 2007 17:50 |  #13

There are a number of stockists, are you in the US? I got mine from Studio Kit Direct : http://www.studiokitdi​rect.com/ (external link)

They may ship worldwide. You could also try:

http://www.karlu.com/i​ndex.php?cPath=114_409 (external link)

http://www.robertwhite​.co.uk/lee.htm (external link)

http://www.leefiltersu​sa.com/ (external link)

http://www.morco.uk.co​m/latest/leehardware.h​tm (external link)

Any international guys have any links?

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slappy ­ sam
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May 07, 2007 18:41 |  #14

I'm from the US, yes. I heard 2filter.com was also good, but I don't know whether or not to order from them or leefilterusa. Both websites aren't easy to navigate.

For a 10-22mm lens do I need the WA ring? Or just the standard 77mm ring? http://www.leefiltersu​sa.com …aPrice/CamPrice​Rings.html (external link)

And what is the difference between P series and normal Lee filters?

EDIT: 2filter.com doesn't seem to have lee filters, and leefilterusa asks me to find a dealer...

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May 07, 2007 20:50 |  #15

Hi Rammy! When you are using GND filters how do you metered the scene?

Thanks

With enough light, you can turn a white wall black. (Master Strobist)

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INFO - LEE Filters GND and ND - Or any filter like these
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