Lee filters - amongst others

Hi all.

I am confused by the various parts which are needed by the lee filter system.

Let me start at the beginning. I am thinking of getting an UWA (probably a tokina 11-16, but maybe the canon 10-20) esp for lanscapes, but not only. I wanted to get a system of ND, GND, and polarizers whcih would fit and would not encroach on the final product.

and so I got to the Lee filter system. (i hope that I am correct in my understanding of its uses).

Anyway, I think that I would need the 100mm filters.

so when i went to the lee filter site, i got really confused about what I need. there are the starter kits, the pro kit, the basic, the upgrade...and no real explanation of what each part is, and why one would use it.

Things are complicated in that I have no place in my country which carries them, so I wanted to bring the question to the forum. I have time. but I wanted to see, what I would need...

thanks for any comments including showing me where my assumptions of using such a system would or would not work...in general and in specific.

Your basic Cokin/Hitech/Lee filter kit consists of 3 parts: an adapter ring, a holder (or foundation kit in Lee parlor) and the actual filter(s). Down to about 24mm FF equivalent, the 85mm filters suffice. Once you go wider (as you do with your UWAs), you'll need the 100mm filter size.

So in your case, you'll need a 77mm wide angle adapter ring, the Lee foundation kit, and the actual 100mm filters you're planning to use. Should you decide to go full frame some day, you can use this same kit with the 17-40L and 24-105L for example, as they share the same 77mm filter diameter.

Adapter ring: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …77_Adapter_Ring​_77mm.html
Holder (foundation kit): http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …undation_Kit_10​0_4x4.html
(G)ND filters: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …379+4291417993+​4291218879

thanks a lot. and the holders can also put in the equivalent of the CPL, right? (am i correct to understand that the CPL of these types of systems is actually 2 polarizers set at 90 degrees to each other?)

since i am aiming for the wider angles...I will look at the 100mm size. Is there a benfit in "oversizing" and getting the cokin X series holders for the increased size and hopefully less chance of vignetting?

ceriltheblade wrote in post #10609978
since i am aiming for the wider angles...I will look at the 100mm size. Is there a benfit in "oversizing" and getting the cokin X series holders for the increased size and hopefully less chance of vignetting?

X will get you there. BUT costs more, large and cumbersome etc

Z-pro or lee should get you there or at least close to if you
(a) use the wide angle adapter with lee
(b) Mod the Z-pro

you will likely need to remove 1-2 filter slots on both to get right down to 10mm

have a search, there has been heaps of threads on this lately.

and finally check out this vid
LINK

ceriltheblade wrote in post #10609978
thanks a lot. and the holders can also put in the equivalent of the CPL, right? (am i correct to understand that the CPL of these types of systems is actually 2 polarizers set at 90 degrees to each other?)

You have two options as far as polarizers are concerned: the Lee square polarizer, or a 105mm "regular" CPL, fitted to an accessory ring which can be purchased separately. The former is the cheaper option, but necessitates rotating the holder to adjust the polarizer, which also rotates any GND's you may have slotted in as well. The second option allows you to rotate the CPL independently of the holder (and thus the GND's).

So if I am reading you right, Nathan. If you are going out to 10mm, which would increase chance of vignetting, if you have a holder with 1 slot this would decrease chances of vignetting even more?

I am considering a Cokin set up for my initial set up and looking at the Z series for my UWA and P for my standard lenses. In the future I should be able to outlay more $$ on Lee or Hitech and they will still fit the same adaptor?

Yep,

and,
any filter 100m width will fit the pro holders
i.e. lee, hitech filters will fit cokin or lee holder

Just get the cokin Z. Don't waste money on P's

3rd option with CP is to get a 77mm one or whatever size you lens is rotate it till your happy, then fit the holder

getting the 105mm cokin CP is the best though
but as usual best = expensive

nathan96 wrote in post #10610110
Yep,

and,
any filter 100m width will fit the pro holders
i.e. lee, hitech filters will fit cokin or lee holder

Just get the cokin Z. Don't waste money on P's

3rd option with CP is to get a 77mm one or whatever size you lens is rotate it till your happy, then fit the holder

getting the 105mm cokin CP is the best though
but as usual best = expensive

Just get an adaptor ring to fit standard lenses?

lol, always the way.. get what you pay for.
Now to go check out starter packages, cheers.

As far as I know you can use step-up/down rings which are cheap

Therefore get 77mm adapter rings from lee/cokin and the buy step-up/down rings for the rest of your lenses.

Tokina 11-16 and canon 10-20 have 77mm threads, yes???

Excellent. I have seen step down rings advertised, don't seem to expensive.
The 10-22 is 77mm.

My current set up goes on like this: 77mm CPL (as needed), COKIN Z-Pro holder with the adapter ring through the front then LEE 4x6 GND's. It does make it tougher to get to the CPL but it's doable.

If you go with the Z-Pro, running the adapter through the front will allow you to use all three slots without vignetting. You'll likely only need one or two though.

Other mods are to remove the top pin and put it in from the front of the holder, sand the pins down a bit so they don't interfere with slotting in a filter and epoxy them in place so they can't move or be lost, though they are in there pretty good. The main thing is to keep them away from the filters as they scratch easily.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Cheers Robert.

Will have to go looking now, best to research twice and buy once =)