Review: Lee Big Stopper (10 stop slide-in ND)

lsquare wrote in post #10593482
I'm bad when it comes to doing camera math. Let's say the ambient light is 1/250 or at most 1/500. What's my shutter speed going to be after a 10 stop reduction?

The 10-stop filter will require you to multiply your unfiltered shutter speed by 1,024 (2^10). To answer your specific question, just multiply 1,024 by either 1/250 or 1/500 (or divide 1,024 by either 250 or 500) to get the filtered shutter speed in seconds.

If you stack a good polarizer with a 10-stop filter, you will need to factor in an additional two stops of light reduction, for a total of 12. In this case, your filtration factor becomes 4,096 (2^12). Assuming your unfiltered shutter speed is 1/250, the shutter speed with the 10-stop and polarizer would be just over 16-seconds.

Helpful hint: As long as your unfiltered shutter speed is faster than 1/30-second, just use your shutter speed dial to set the proper shutter speed. For example, most shutter speed dials have been set at 1/3-stops as the default (3 clicks for every stop). After metering your scene, attach the filter and simply turn your shutter speed dial 30 clicks (10-stops x 3 clicks per stop)...this will give you the proper shutter speed for the 10-stop filter. So, if you're at 1/250 unfiltered, turn back 30 slicks from that point. However, if your unfiltered shutter speed is slower than 1/30-sec, 10 stops will put you into bulb mode...there, you'll need the math. This will work on any ND filter...if its a 6-stop and your dial is set to 1/3-stops, just back off 18 clicks (6 x 3) from the unfiltered speed.

There's even a better way...if your camera has Live View, just compose the scene, attach the 10-stop, and switch over to LV (the camera will be able to "see" through the filter...at least the 5D2 will, not sure about the crops). Once in LV, press the shutter halfway to activate the metering system. Then, its just a matter of turning the shutter speed dial until the meter on the LCD zeroes out. I can use this method on my 5D2 when using 12-stops of light reduction. But again, this will only work as long as you don't have to go into bulb mode. If bulb, you'll need to do the math.

argyle wrote in post #10594216
But again, this will only work as long as you don't have to go into bulb mode. If bulb, you'll need to do the math.

And a remote with a timer.

The Lee Big Stopper comes with a handy chart that gives you the equivalent exposures after adding the filter, and the chart fits right onto the case for holding the filter so you always have it handy. You just meter first with whatever other filters you are going to use (while focusing and composing) then use the actual exposure off the chart when you add the 10 stop ND.

Very handy.

Sheldon N wrote in post #10596850
The Lee Big Stopper comes with a handy chart that gives you the equivalent exposures after adding the filter, and the chart fits right onto the case for holding the filter so you always have it handy. You just meter first with whatever other filters you are going to use (while focusing and composing) then use the actual exposure off the chart when you add the 10 stop ND.

Very handy.

Plus one! The guide is really handy and you don't even need to use a calcualtor.

Here's a ND reference chart courtesy of http://www.bksecret.co​m/photography/

Good to see the US folk are finally getting their big stoppers! I feel a bit bad as I've been busy and mine hasn't seen too much use over the last couple of months

tomtom1 wrote in post #10597250
Here's a ND reference chart courtesy of http://www.bksecret.co​m/photography/

Good to see the US folk are finally getting their big stoppers! I feel a bit bad as I've been busy and mine hasn't seen too much use over the last couple of months

thanks for the link that chart. I am going to print that chart out, and put into my notepad that I carry around with my camera gear.

Sure, the charts are handy, but what happens when one loses or forgets to bring it along? Its best to be able to know how to determine exposure times in other ways for just those occasions.

argyle wrote in post #10598949
Sure, the charts are handy, but what happens when one loses or forgets to bring it along? Its best to be able to know how to determine exposure times in other ways for just those occasions.

I usually take a pic of it and put it on my iPhone.

argyle wrote in post #10598949
Sure, the charts are handy, but what happens when one loses or forgets to bring it along? Its best to be able to know how to determine exposure times in other ways for just those occasions.

Agree that you should be able to calculate exposure times in other ways, but with the Big Stopper it's pretty much impossible to forget the chart since it fits into the plastic sleeve on the outside of the filter case. If you've got the filter with you, you've got the chart with you.

Go to pick the filter up at UPS and I was so excited. Go to open the package (hmmm it's just in a padded envelope but nothing rigid ...) take the ziploc bag out, take out the filter pouch, check out the manual and handy little chart. Then I go to take the filter out of its pouch. Its wrapped in wrapping tissue/paper with a seal that says do not accept if seal is broken.

The seal wasn't broken. The filter was. Before I even opened, I felt one crack. I'm like wtf. Then I feel another. It's shattered in 5-6 pieces. I still haven't opened it yet. It's still sealed. Called Kenmore Photo up immediately. They called back later and said UPS will pick it up tomorrow, and that it'll run through their insurance program, and if not, Kenmore will take care of me.

Kenmore is a great company service wise, really great. But I don't want a refund I want a filter. Last one they have with no future date for more. Service wise they are great, but someone there packaged this $150 filter without anything to protect it. It was naked with just the pouch. The envelope was of the padded type but nothing that would protect the filter.

Highly disappointed.

Wow, that's terrible! Someone at Kenmore must have thought that they were packaging a resin filter instead of a glass filter. It shouldn't have gone out in a padded envelope. Mine came from Kenmore last week, but they shipped it in a square box and packed it tightly with styrofoam peanuts. Well, at the very least, they are stepping up to the plate and trying to accommodate you as best as they can. Please do keep us posted as to how this issue turns out.

Yeah definitely deserved a box. Just my luck. Grab the last one, probabably in America. And they put it in an envelope. Mother of God!

Their service is great. Somebody just messed up and now I don't know when I would get a filter. And I just got a call today that my 77mm WA adapter that is also hard to find, has come in. It was all working out so perfectly. Why???????????????

jdang307 wrote in post #10614094
Yeah definitely deserved a box. Just my luck. Grab the last one, probabably in America. And they put it in an envelope. Mother of God!

Their service is great. Somebody just messed up and now I don't know when I would get a filter. And I just got a call today that my 77mm WA adapter that is also hard to find, has come in. It was all working out so perfectly. Why???????????????

I feel for you, bud! As they say, though, **it happens. On a positive note, be glad that it was something like this and not something more serious.

Yeah. I'll let the process work it's way on. I shall have my filter before my trip. I shall!

^Sori to hear that Jdang. When I received mine, it was in a box with some bubble wrap.