Filter systems, which one to go for?

[PaulF]

Hi,

Apart from the UV filters to essentially protect the lens I have never used any creative type of filter.

My birthday is coming up at the beginning of Feb and my wife is asking what I would like, so.....

I have been thinking of getting a ND filter for a while but there are so many options that I must admit I'm a little lost now

The lenses I have are either 67mm or 77mm thread.

The options as I see them:
1, A 77mm filter and a step up adapter from 67mm to 77mm, this appears to be the cheapest root.

2, The Lee rectangular foundation kit system then filter on top, not sure if I would then need another adapter for my wide angle lens. This seems more versatile but may be a bit over the top.

Whichever type I decide upon I then need to think about the filter strength, they seem to go from 1 to 10 stops, which would be the most used on average? (I will be using it for the usual flowing water etc). And then there's the make, I hear that B+W are the best but what about any cheaper makes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated and if I've completely missed any points then please let me know.

Regards
Paul.

 

[scuby]

I got a cheapo set from eBay in the summer, and found the ND4 (2-stop, i believe) was the one I used most. Now got a decent quality one of those (Hoya, about £30 from Amazon). My lenses are 58mm and 72mm, so got the 72mm filter (which also happens to be my best lens) and a step-up ring for the smaller lens, though don't expect i'll use it on the smaller lenses as much anyway.

David

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

This all depends on what you think you may use in future.

If you only ever want an ND then get screw in and step-up rings - there is less chance of light leakage however f you think you may progress to using ND-grads or other more 'creative' filters that are available you will want a filter kit with slot in filters.

General consensus on the latter is get the Lee foundation kit and then get Hitech ND and ND-Grad filters as they are excellent quality for the price - the Lee filters are still better but you can get 1, 2 and 3 stop Hitechs for the price of 1 Lee. If you do go down this route ensure you buy 100mm filters so they fit the Lee filter holder

 

[PaulF]

General consensus on the latter is get the Lee foundation kit and then get Hitech ND and ND-Grad filters as they are excellent quality for the price - the Lee filters are still better but you can get 1, 2 and 3 stop Hitechs for the price of 1 Lee. If you do go down this route ensure you buy 100mm filters so they fit the Lee filter holder

Cheers, I hadn't really considered any other type of filter except maybe a polarizing one. I will need to give this a little more thought.

Paul.