I have always wanted to try out the LEE FILTER SYSTEM, spurred on by gorgeous, ghostly images of seascapes and streaked images of surreal skies. So my second big investment after buying my first DSLR was investing in the LEE FILTERS. Since several years now I take them with me on every outdoor tour, and they didn’t disappoint.
In fact, not only did they exceed my expectations, but filters have introduced me to a new source of photographic inspiration. Previously I had relied on creating HDR’s by bracketing exposures and blending them in post-production, but the ability of filters to transform the scene before you, altering the light you see and creating final image results in camera, is addictive. You see a scene? You can shape it. You are given control over light to create the images you envision without having to spend extensive time in Photoshop.
What are photography filters?
Filters are accessories placed in front of your lens that alter the incoming light and achieve an effect that can seldom be duplicated using computer software. A Neutral Density (ND) filter, for example, reduces the intensity of the light before it enters the camera lens. Made from a clear resin, an ND filter is designed so as to have no impact on the colours in your scene. With any reduction in light, however, there is always the chance of a loss in image quality. This is where LEE filters come in – handmade to the highest standards, LEE filters are able to reduce incoming light while retaining excellent image quality. I used the LEE graduated Neutral Density (ND) filters which come in their DSLR starter kit, the 0.9 Soft ND Grad and the LEE Little Stopper and Big Stopper.
Graduated filter: This filter is generally used to balance bright skies with a darker landscape beneath. One half of the optically-correct resin filter is clear while the other half is of neutral density. Hard graduated filters have a more abrupt transition between the halves, while soft graduated filters have a gentle, smooth transition.
Little Stopper: This square filter reduces the amount of light by 6 f-stops, allowing longer exposures and blurred movement effects.
Big Stopper: Like the Small Stopper, except the Big Stopper reduces the amount of light by 10 f-stops so you can get even longer exposures. Pair this up with a shutter-release cable and you can take exposures that are minutes in length.
Once you have an understanding of how your DSLR works and can comfortably navigate between aperture, ISO and shutter speed to achieve exposures you want, you’ll find filters easy to manage. You can also get filters for compact cameras (that’s your mik and druk), super wide-angle lenses, Go Pro’s, lights, and even medium-format cameras.
So how do you get started?
When I first enquired about filters, I had in mind perhaps one graduated filter and the LEE Big Stopper. I knew I also needed a filter holder.
What I didn’t realise however, was the importance of having a variety of graduated filters for different scenes, or that some scenes are too dark for a Big Stopper and in fact, the Little Stopper was better suited. Not only this, but the Stoppers work best when you are using them in tandem with a graduated filter, i.e using a Little Stopper to slow exposures, and a soft ND filter to darken the skies. For this reason I recommend investing in the 100mm DSLR Starter Kit and 0.6 soft grad ND filter before you buy a Stopper. Both the Little and Big Stoppers price is each around € 120,- and of the two I would buy the Little Stopper first.
100mm DSLR Starter Kit costs around € 250,- and consists of:
A two-slot pre-assembled filter holder
ProGlass 0.6 ND filter (reduces exposures by 2 f-stops)
0.6 Hard Grad ND
Cleaning cloth
Triple carry pouch
You will also need to buy an adaptor ring specific to the lens you are using (€ 30,-).
I began using LEE filters with the full expectation that I would enjoy working with them. What I didn’t realise was that I would love using them, and that through using them I would learn more about composition and improve my all-round photography.
The best Investment i made. Michael
Thank you for your impressions Michael, they were very informative for someone like me who doesn't use filters in any way, shape or form. It is a subject that I revisit on a regular basis in a research capacity, but have never made the leap into a purchase as of yet.....this is for a number of reasons, but mostly because about 90% of what I shoot is HDR and tend to get the dynamic range I need in most circumstances and partially because much of what you read online and see on You Tube, giving the impression that you can't 'Do Landscapes' without them, unfortunately my bloody mindedness wants to make a point of shooting landscapes without them!!
Must add that you have put over a good, balanced opinion for their use, so you words are much appreciated.
Scott
Excellent overview Michael. Lee is my chosen system too. However, I use Haida 6, 10 and 15 stop ND glass as it has less colour cast than Lee.
As i am a LEE user since then, i never did a comparison between other filters by myself. I heard of a color shift to magenta with Hitech filter and a bit harsh contrast, the LEE Filters seems to show more true colors. It will be interesting to hear the experience from the ArTastics Community
A helpful and great article about filter which is truly a good decision guidance. Michael, did you have some experience with the Hitech filter? I'm just wondering if there are major differences between both brands.