77mm CPL vs 4x4 CPL with Lee System

I just picked up the Lee Foundations kit and I was thinking about replacing my B+W Kaesemann CPL with the Lee 4x4 CPL. Even though you can only turn the 4x4 90 degrees at a time, it seems like it would be the lesser of two evils when considering vignetting and turning the screw on filter with the holder mounted.

Can anyone speak about their experiences mounting the lee kit to the front of their screw on CPL vs the 4x4 filter? Will IQ be better one way or the other? Will I get vignetting at 10mm (or higher) if I go the screw on route?

Ill be using it predominantly on my 15-85 but would also use it on a 10-22. It would be the 77mm screw on/Lee adapter ring with 72=>77 step-up ring if I went this route.

I find that 90 degrees from neutral produces muted colors and dead photos. I like the CPL's ability to finely tune the amount of polarization.

you could, of course, rotate the whole filter holder around the adapter ring. if you have a GND filter in a slot then that wouldn't work. lee sells an adapter that will allow you to attach another lee filter holder to the front that would allow independent rotation.

They need to make a wide angle adapter ring with front threads for a CPL, even if it was 82mm (up from the 77 on the lens side). I don't want to buy a 105, nor is the double lee kit with 4x4 polarizer acceptable.

Thread the adapter ring onto the standard polarizer and use the adapter ring to adjust the CPL to the proper position, then attach the holder and position your GND. You may need to remove a filter slot to avoid vignetting, but adding the step ring into the mix may require the removal of an additional slot. Or just simply hand-hold the GND in front of the polarizer...pretty standard fare. For those times when you just plan on using a polarizer by itself, then it makes sense to have a screw-on CPL in your bag anyway and forego the holder.

I have the Lee 4x4 CPL, but also opted to keep my Kaesemann polarizers when I'm not using the Lee setup. Either way, there's no difference in IQ...they're all quality filters.

The problem I have is both my B+W Kaeseman polarizers are the slim model, so no front threads.
Running a 5d, and 16-35 lens, I had been under the impression that the slim model was needed to not have vignetting, and I can't remember now why I got the slim model for the 77mm one. Perhaps I should get a normal one with front threads for the 77 and do as you suggest. I wonder does it vignette at all at 24mm, using the WA Lee adapter ring???

MNUplander wrote in post #11075974
I just picked up the Lee Foundations kit and I was thinking about replacing my B+W Kaesemann CPL with the Lee 4x4 CPL. Even though you can only turn the 4x4 90 degrees at a time, it seems like it would be the lesser of two evils when considering vignetting and turning the screw on filter with the holder mounted.

Can anyone speak about their experiences mounting the lee kit to the front of their screw on CPL vs the 4x4 filter? Will IQ be better one way or the other? Will I get vignetting at 10mm (or higher) if I go the screw on route?

Ill be using it predominantly on my 15-85 but would also use it on a 10-22. It would be the 77mm screw on/Lee adapter ring with 72=>77 step-up ring if I went this route.

I've used this set up for quite some time now. It has lived up to my expectations. I find it a pain to use a screw on CPL with a holder. The 4x4 is convenient and it works!

jdizzle wrote in post #11080415
I've used this set up for quite some time now. It has lived up to my expectations. I find it a pain to use a screw on CPL with a holder. The 4x4 is convenient and it works!

You might have almost convinced me. If no other solution turns up, then I suppose I will get the 4x4.

One question...I read before that for some reason the Lee 4x4 was causing the slot it was used in to become loose if some other filter was then used in that slot later. Have you found this to be true, or was that just a problem for that particular user? I know that some brands of filters are thicker... I am using Singh-Ray NDs, and if I recall correctly they are the same thickness as Lee's (I could be wrong).

TxDiver wrote in post #11080474
You might have almost convinced me. If no other solution turns up, then I suppose I will get the 4x4.

One question...I read before that for some reason the Lee 4x4 was causing the slot it was used in to become loose if some other filter was then used in that slot later. Have you found this to be true, or was that just a problem for that particular user? I know that some brands of filters are thicker... I am using Singh-Ray NDs, and if I recall correctly they are the same thickness as Lee's (I could be wrong).

I haven't had that problem. The solution is to make sure your screws are tightened properly. I'm a big fan of SR myself but, I also own the Lee GNDs too.

Not trying to hijack the thread here, but coincidentally I'm looking at Lee 4x4 CPL filters. What's the difference between these 2 on Adorama? Which one do you recommend? If/when they come back in stock, I've also ordered 4x6 GNDs.

http://www.adorama.com​/LEPLGL.html
http://www.adorama.com​/LECPLGL.html

troypiggo wrote in post #11080515
Not trying to hijack the thread here, but coincidentally I'm looking at Lee 4x4 CPL filters. What's the difference between these 2 on Adorama? Which one do you recommend? If/when they come back in stock, I've also ordered 4x6 GNDs.

http://www.adorama.com​/LEPLGL.html
http://www.adorama.com​/LECPLGL.html

the first one is a linear polarizer.
the second one is a circular polarizer.

you want the circular polarizer.

Get the circular polarization filter if you want your autofocus to still work properly. Linear polarizers are used more for film cameras, or for putting together with a circular one for making your own variable ND filter, but that is another topic entirely. If you are shooting digital, get the circular polarized one.

troypiggo wrote in post #11080515
Not trying to hijack the thread here, but coincidentally I'm looking at Lee 4x4 CPL filters. What's the difference between these 2 on Adorama? Which one do you recommend? If/when they come back in stock, I've also ordered 4x6 GNDs.

http://www.adorama.com​/LEPLGL.html
http://www.adorama.com​/LECPLGL.html

The first one is linear. Don't buy that one.
The second one is circular. That's the one you want.

Thanks guys. I do have a screw in CPL, but at least it's round! Doesn't sit right with me having a square circular polariser

Even though most consider the Lee kit to be inconvenient, I find the opposite to be true. Instead of dealing with the hassle of a step up ring getting stuck to the traditional CPL (which used to happen to me all the time), I put the adapter rings on the lenses that I will use for a given outing. Throw the lenses into the bag and when I want to switch the CPL from one lens to another, just pull the release and move it. Nothing to get stuck, nothing to fiddle around with. I also happen to like hand holding my GNDs to feather the soft edge, so works out well for me.