Lee Filter Foundation Kit

martinfuge

martinfuge

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Martin
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Hi,

I am looking to invest in this type of filter kit but have a question. I have seen many videos on You Tube about these and other makes, but I bought a cheap version which I regret now (lesson learnt lol). Basically in all the videos I have seen, they auto focus the shot, just attach the holder. But maybe I had this trouble with the cheap one, but does anyone know with the Lee kit when you add the filter holder and filters does it not move the focus?

Only in all videos the holder has been straight, but when I tried with the cheap one and attached it, when I focused, it moved and wasn't straight, so I couldn't use a grad filter. As the Lee is more professional is it built so once focused in you can attach it without moving the focus on your lens and keep it in a vertical posistion?

Hope that made sense lol
 
Hi Martin,

Yes you can set focus first and then clip on you filter(s) holder to the lens, you can set the angle of the filter any angle you want, I.e if you want a grad to cover one corner

One trick I do find handy with the lee holder and using the 105mm polariser is to attach the polariser and then set the polariser with you eye before attaching. I find this much better than trying to set it using the live view or viewfinder.
 
I have no problem with autofocus using any filters with my numerous cameras, & that is with screw-in circular filters which I use to protect the lens or my Lee Filters. The reason I use Lee is because with other cheaper makes I had slight colour casts which if you consider you are spending £,000s on good lens why put cheap filters in front.
 
Does the lens you are attaching it to have a rotating front element by any chance?
 
If you have a lens where the front element roates, then you will have to pre focus, switch to manual focus, make a note of where the focus markings lie on the lens (if they have them, if they dont, you its much harder) then very carefully attach the holder and make sure you position the lens back where it was.

If using a lena like the 18-55mm kit lens, which doesnt have focus markings, then you have a much harder job of getting the lens back where it was after fitting the holder.
 
Hi all, thanks for all the replies.

Yes it is a kit lens and has a front rotating element which does make it harder. I do have a screw on filter which I have used but putting it on with my kit lens is sometimes hard esp not to ruin the focus. Think I may need to invest in better lenses.

Any advice on what type of lens to look at, or when looking to buy a lens look to see what it has to help with keeping it in focus?

Cheers
 
You want something with internal focus ideally, most lenses will say in the specs if they have a rotating front element or not.
Or you want an older lens with distance markings so you can pre focus and then mentally note where the focus is.
 
I presume you are shooting landscapes? If so you should typically be around f/11 for general scenes so focus isn't going to be crucial anyway. I never focus when I do land/seascapes - just leave it on 1m & shoot at f/10 or smaller.

Google - "hyperfocal distance"
 
LeeRatters said:
I presume you are shooting landscapes? If so you should typically be around f/11 for general scenes so focus isn't going to be crucial anyway. I never focus when I do land/seascapes - just leave it on 1m & shoot at f/10 or smaller.
Google - "hyperfocal distance"
Click to expand...

1m and f11 hyperfocal? I doubt it unless the OP is using FF and a 15mm or wider lens. With a "kit Lens" and, I assume, APS-C I don't think that 1m and f11 are ideal.

I don't think that I fully understand the problem. With a square filter and holder system there should be some ability to turn the holder whilst holding the focus ring so that the focus doesn't move.

I'm not a great fan of hyperfocal to get 1m to infinity front to back focus as often IMVHO the scene doesn't require it. Best get fully aquanted with hyperfocal and other methods like Merklinger.

Either way I doubt that a new and expensive Lee system or a new lens will help too much at this point.
 
LeeRatters said:
I presume you are shooting landscapes? If so you should typically be around f/11 for general scenes so focus isn't going to be crucial anyway. I never focus when I do land/seascapes - just leave it on 1m & shoot at f/10 or smaller.

Google - "hyperfocal distance"
Click to expand...

woof woof said:
1m and f11 hyperfocal? I doubt it unless the OP is using FF and a 15mm or wider lens. With a "kit Lens" and, I assume, APS-C I don't think that 1m and f11 are ideal.
Click to expand...

Yes, 1m & f/11 hyperfocal. There is no doubt in it - I can assure you it works just fine. "I never focus when I do land/seascapes - just leave it on 1m & shoot at f/10 or smaller" because I tend to use FF & 17mm. I have no idea what the settings would be with an APS-C & 18mm..........

I don't know what body the OP is using or what lens or what focal length is being used.
 
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