Lee Filter System CPL Help

Hi,

I recently bought the Lee filter system starter kit, plus the CPL ring adapter which attaches to the front of the filter system, plus a B&W 105mm CPL filter. I have not had chance to try this out yet; hopefully will get the opportunity this weekend.

What I would like to know is if I can use the CPL attached to the filter system successfully without using any other filters, i.e. there will be a gap between the CPL and the front of the lens which will be the width of two Lee filters. Is stray light likely to get into the camera through the gap and upset things?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

If there's anyone here who would know the answer, it would be Argyle. He has the same setup as you and he could definitely give you a concrete answer with the 105 mm CPL adapter. What body and lens setup are you going to be using this setup on?

Dredd123 wrote in post #6510890
Hi,

I recently bought the Lee filter system starter kit, plus the CPL ring adapter which attaches to the front of the filter system, plus a B&W 105mm CPL filter. I have not had chance to try this out yet; hopefully will get the opportunity this weekend.

What I would like to know is if I can use the CPL attached to the filter system successfully without using any other filters, i.e. there will be a gap between the CPL and the front of the lens which will be the width of two Lee filters. Is stray light likely to get into the camera through the gap and upset things?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

Very possible, but I never tried this with my setup. I make it a point to only use my Lee setup when I know that I'll need to incorporate a GND into the mix...that's the only time that I attach it to the camera. Otherwise, I use my threaded CPL and/or threaded solid ND filters. Others have recommended placing a black cloth around the holder to keep out stray light, but I never tried that either. Personally, I prefer not to have the holder and CPL hanging off the front of the lens at all times. Not sure if this answer helped you or not...but may be I'll give this a try myself and check the results.

At the moment I have a 40D with a Canon EFS 10-22, a Canon EFS 17-55 2.8, and a Sigma 120-300 2.8. The Sigma is a 105mm lens, but it looks as if I might have to buy another CPL at 77mm for the two Canon lenses.

jdizzle wrote in post #6511063
If there's anyone here who would know the answer, it would be Argyle. He has the same setup as you and he could definitely give you a concrete answer with the 105 mm CPL adapter. What body and lens setup are you going to be using this setup on?

Yes that helps. I wouldn't want to go out shooting something and then find the results were lousy. Would be interested in your feedback if you try it, but I guess I will have to try it myself and possibly fork out for another CPL for my 77mm lenses.

Thanks,
Dave.

argyle wrote in post #6511269
Very possible, but I never tried this with my setup. I make it a point to only use my Lee setup when I know that I'll need to incorporate a GND into the mix...that's the only time that I attach it to the camera. Otherwise, I use my threaded CPL and/or threaded solid ND filters. Others have recommended placing a black cloth around the holder to keep out stray light, but I never tried that either. Personally, I prefer not to have the holder and CPL hanging off the front of the lens at all times. Not sure if this answer helped you or not...but may be I'll give this a try myself and check the results.

Here's one that I'd strongly recommend:

http://hvstar.net …Action=VIEWPROD​&ProdID=36

I have the Lee filter foundation and use it for 4x6 filters. I do not have the CPL for it, but the whole point of buying the Lee system is so you can use one size for all lenses, with the proper step down rings, which are cheaper than the filters. Also, the filter foundation came with a screw driver, use it to take out those extra spacers.

B&H has all kinds of separate accessories for the Lee system. Even if you bought a spare foundation, it would be cheaper than buying another CPL.

Its always a good idea to keep a threaded CPL in the bag. Personally, there are times when I just don't feel like setting up the adapter ring, holder, and 105 CPL when I know that I won't be using any GND's. Its much easier just to thread the 'typical' CPL directly to the lens. Plus, I can still fit the lens hood if need be.

One option for the OP is to remove all but a single slot from the holder when the 105 CPL is attached...if there's the need for a GND, at least there'll be a slot available. However, considering the cost of a Lee wide angle adapter ring (about $75 per), having two additional adapter rings will cost more than a quality threaded CPL if he were to use the 105 CPL as his only polarizer. In some cases, depending on the filter quality, a wida angle adapter can exceed the cost of the threaded CPL. For lenses that are relatively close in filter dimensions (72 vs 77, for example), another even cheaper option would be to use a 72mm step ring with the 77mm CPL.

Either way will work, but I prefer not to have a humongous piece of glass such as the 105 in front of my lens when a simple threaded CPL will do just fine, provided that I don't have the need for a GND at the time.