The most logical/ economical way to buy a filter kit?

Hi guys, i'm wanting to purchase couple of filters for my lens lineup. Mainly circular polarizers, neutral density filter, and graduated neutral density.

My lens lineup has has some crazy filter sizes, 67, 72, 77, 58, and 52mm. I don't want to buy filters for every thread size so i want to just buy one filter of each kind to share with these different size treads.

Would it be better to buy the biggest one (in my case 77mm) and then get step down rings..

or would it be better to invest in a cokin Z-series / Lee filter kit?

What is the pro/ cons of each? I want to hear your inputs! Thanks

~John.

Jdmhood wrote in post #10204113
Would it be better to buy the biggest one (in my case 77mm) and then get step down rings..

Just a heads up: if you choose to go with rings, you'll want step-up rings, not step-down rings.

Grads, there's only one option - that's a rectangular, and with the 11-16, I'd suggest getting the 100 mm (4") rectangulars and an appropriate holder (Lee's 4" costs only a little more than Cokin's and, anecdotally, is sturdier). That'll also be handy for straight NDs as well. Then get adapter rings for the various lens filter sizes. For the others, I'd say to get circular polarizers for your most-used lenses since you won't want to swap a single filter around every time you change lenses. Obviously you'll need the 77. But I'd say get a 67 mm as well (to fit the 70-200). Then down the road you'll want to add a 58 and 72. The one catch to going the "step-up ring" approach is that you can't usually use a lens hood if you've got step-up rings to an outsized filter.

Thanks for the reply guys!

So i guess i'll go with a Lee filter kit since i trust your suggestions and prior experiences

I already have a 67mm circular polarizer that i can keep and use with my 70-200.

You guys know a cheap/ reliable retailer to purchase these rectangular filters from? I've heard maxsavers thrown around a few times. But when i checked.. they don't have any Lee or square filters.

Just stumbled across 2filters.com

Does 4x4 Lee filters work on 4x6 Filter holders?

What are the wide angle adapter rings? Do i need that for my Tokina 11-16 f/2.8?

Whats the difference between Hard edge and soft edge Gradual filters? What's the use for each?

How do i mount a circular polarizer to these Lee filter holders?

Sorry to bombard you guys with all these questions

Anyone?

Jdmhood wrote in post #10205877
Just stumbled across 2filters.com

Does 4x4 Lee filters work on 4x6 Filter holders?

They should. The holder is 4" wide, as are all the filters. GNDs are 4x6 which allows you to slide them up and down to position the transition point.

Jdmhood wrote in post #10205877
What are the wide angle adapter rings? Do i need that for my Tokina 11-16 f/2.8?

They position the holder a bit further back on the lens barrel to prevent vignetting with ultra wide angle lenses. I don't have the Tokina, but I'd say it's a candidate for a wide angle adapter ring.

Jdmhood wrote in post #10205877
Whats the difference between Hard edge and soft edge Gradual filters? What's the use for each?

Like the name implies, the transition from dark to clear is harder with a hard edge filter. Soft edge filters have a more gradual transition (i.e. a wider transition area).

You generally use hard edge filters for straight horizons, and soft edge filters when the horizon is uneven (like distant mountain ranges).

Jdmhood wrote in post #10205877
How do i mount a circular polarizer to these Lee filter holders?

The best way is also the most expensive: buy a separate adapter from Lee which mounts to the front of the holder and takes a (rather costly) 105mm CPL. You can also buy a slide-in polarizer from Lee which is cheaper, but requires the holder to be rotated so you can't rotate your GND's independently. And then there's the regular CPL which you mount first, and then stick the adapter on the front, but it's clumsy to rotate the CPL and the holder independently.

Wow, thank you SO much rvdw98. Your post was very helpful. Definitely cleared things up for me. Now i just need to find the filters that fit my budget!

John.