ND filter newbie (Lee Filters) - am I on the right track?

[Tony101]

Okay, summer is on its way and the sun is starting to show itself more regularly, so I'm thinking about ND filters.

My desire for ND filters isn't for the normal slowing down the shutter speed for blur effects, or for video use; but for widening the usable aperture when shooting portraits outside in the sunshine while lighting the subject with a location studio strobe (1100 WS). So to put it more simply: I'd like to be able to shoot at f2.8 (ish) instead of f16 at flash sync speed of 1/200th.

The Lee system offers flexibility, over circular filters, and opening the door to very slowly building a filter library in the future...and, I have an 82mm WA adapter lying around somewhere that I bought years ago. So obviously I need a holder which'll cost around £55.

So the big question is which filter(s). I don't envisage using this kit very frequently, so cheaper is better (for starters) but not to completely destroy image quality.

My thoughts are either a...
(1) Hitech resin 4 stop ND for £32, or
(2) Lee polyester ND set (1, 2 & 3 stop) for £34

I like the idea of the flexibility of (2), but wonder whether the IQ and durability of (1) is significantly preferable.*
(Obviously, ideally I should get Lee 2 & 3 stop glass NDs, but that's a lot of dosh for infrequent use.)

Thoughts on any of this?

Many thanks for reading this far, I look forward to hearing the thoughts of the collective here.

*(I also have a circular CPL to knock an extra stop or two off the usable aperture if needs must.)

 

[BMD]

This is all subjective and I think you may have answered the question yourself where you comment on the Lee system and having an adapter somewhere.

As regards IQ, I'd have thought resin was better than polyester and Lee do resin

Personally, I'd go with Lee only because I use them and find them perfect for my needs but I don't tend to do much if any portraiture. Mine is more wildlife and landscape where I find Lee excels.

If I was in your position I'd go and see my pet camera shop and try them out.

 

[Tony101]

Oops! I didn't realise that someone had replied (no notification received), please accept my grovelling apologies for not responding sooner. Many thanks for taking the time to reply Bruce.

As regards IQ, I'd have thought resin was better than polyester and Lee do resin

Yep, I appreciate Lee do resin filters but they're almost double the price of the Hitech and they don't appear to do a 4 stop ND so I'd need to buy two filters (2 & 3 stop ND) - even more expense for something I'd use once in a blue moon.

Has anyone compared the quality of results of Hitech v Lee?

If it was something I'd use regularly I would make my life simpler and just buy Lee bits 'n' bobs.

If I was in your position I'd go and see my pet camera shop and try them out.

I'd love to, but alas we're sadly lacking decent camera shops in these parts. Nearest for me is Leeds or Edinburgh...unless someone can recommend a comprehensive shop somewhere here in the North East.

Thanks, again.

 

[George]

Tony, I'm just a bit north of Edinburgh, and I've a complete range of Lee stuff which you'd be welcome to play with if you get up this far!

George.

 

[Faldrax]

You usually use systems like Lee ND's when the camera is static on a tripod - this gives you the time to set things up, and the stability for hanging the holder & filters off the end of the lens.

Not sure how well it would work if you are hand-holding the camera, and moving about a bit - a screw in ND might be more practical in that situation.
(If it will be a problem should be apparent if you get to have a play with a filter set)

 

[Tony101]

Tony, I'm just a bit north of Edinburgh, and I've a complete range of Lee stuff which you'd be welcome to play with if you get up this far!

That's a generous offer - thank you George. I may well be up that way next week as I've got a couple of shoots pencilled-in around Edinburgh and Glasgow way. If it's remotely possible I may well attempt to take you up on that kind offer.

Not sure how well it would work if you are hand-holding the camera, and moving about a bit - a screw in ND might be more practical in that situation.

Hmm, good point. But it's cheaper for me to dip my toe into the Lee system, and it's not something I envisage utilising too often - more food for thought tho', thanks.

Also, I imagine it's near impossible to focus thro 4+ stops of ND, which would mean it's a pain in the posterior to keep screwing a filter on and off, whereas the Lee will simply clip on and off...or will it?

I assume the cheapie variable ND's (eg. Tiffen at £185) are fairly poor.

Maybe I should simply embrace f16 and all its depth of field goodness? Simpler and cheaper - even tho' it does lack that little 'je ne sais quoi'!

Cheers!
Tony

 

[George]

Tony, sent you a pm.

George.

 

[Faldrax]

Also, I imagine it's near impossible to focus thro 4+ stops of ND, which would mean it's a pain in the posterior to keep screwing a filter on and off, whereas the Lee will simply clip on and off...or will it?

Good point - you will find the VF a tad dark with a 4 stop filer on.
The lee will clip on / off fairly easily - my concern was that as you moved about it might do so by itself.

I assume the cheapie variable ND's (eg. Tiffen at £185) are fairly poor.

Well, the Tiffen you link to is not the cheapest variable ND by a long way (see http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-lens-filter-variable-nd-neutral-density-82mm), but in the cheap ones certainly seem to be problematic (see http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/7dayshop-variable-nd-filter-garbage.311064/)

 

[BMD]

Oops! I didn't realise that someone had replied (no notification received), please accept my grovelling apologies for not responding sooner. Many thanks for taking the time to reply Bruce.

Yep, I appreciate Lee do resin filters but they're almost double the price of the Hitech and they don't appear to do a 4 stop ND so I'd need to buy two filters (2 & 3 stop ND) - even more expense for something I'd use once in a blue moon.

Has anyone compared the quality of results of Hitech v Lee?

If it was something I'd use regularly I would make my life simpler and just buy Lee bits 'n' bobs.


I'd love to, but alas we're sadly lacking decent camera shops in these parts. Nearest for me is Leeds or Edinburgh...unless someone can recommend a comprehensive shop somewhere here in the North East.

Thanks, again.

Understood. I can't really assist further so good luck.