Lee filters ..... educate me about them please

[An Marcach]

Ok I don't need the very basics, I know generally what they do, but what I need to know is which actual ones are the recommended ones for getting results like this ...



I've got an opportunity to get a voucher worth €500 through work so I'm thinking of getting it for a camera shop and adding a few bob to it if necessary and getting a set of filters but every review I read seems to give different opinions on which ones to get.

So what's do you reckon I should look at ....

[Simpo Two]

That's created by a very long exposure so the filter/s would be ND (neutral density). They block a lot of light, forcing a much longer exposure, but don't change the colours. Someone like Rob D will be able to tell you what brands to go for.

[55palfers]

I used to have loads of these back in the days of 35mm.

Some good effects available, but be sparing.

[chrismarr]

What kind of photography do you do ? Seascapes ? Mountains? A mix ?

I would guess a Lee ten stop filter has been used for that image, maybe a graduated filter also on the sky ?

[ashleyman]

That image could be a combination of graduated ND filters (to stop down the sky) a Big Stopper (to stop down the whole scene) and some Lightroom/Photoshop work.

There could even be some colour correction filters, some reverse grads it's hard to say. Lee do some beginner packs that might be helpful for you to look into. Also, when thinking about hoods, lens filters etc.. make sure you consider how many lenses you have and their thread size.

[Simpo Two]

It could also be a combination of different exposures (since it will be on a tripod anyway). Colour correction filters not necessary in digital/RAW/Photoshop era IMHO.

[steveatesh]

Have a look at the Karl Taylor website, he sells packs of Lee Filters and explained them, and also sells individual filters.

If you sign up to his education program (I think £12 per month IIRC) you will get 15% discount, then cancel your subscription any time.

Personally I’d consider the Big Stopper (10 stop) and little stopper ( 6 stop) and the circular polariser, and possibly a ND grad for the sky, plus holder of course.

Enjoy your voucher

[RobDickinson]

Lee or nisi...

Nisi kit comes with 6 and 10 stop Nd plus polariser and a 3 stop grad pretty much everything you need and the 10 stop is more neutral than lee's

I use my 6 more than 10 because in low/peak light I find 10 stretches exposure times too much.

But the image in the op is totes 10 stop with a grad on too

[Craikeybaby]

Is the Lee stuff still really hard to get hold of?

[tonyb1968]

Craikeybaby said:

Is the Lee stuff still really hard to get hold of?

Wex do them.

[DIW35]

I son't use filters currently, but in the past have used ND for allowing longer exposures, graduated ND to stop skies from being blown out and polariser for deeper blue in the sky and stopping some reflections.