I am getting set to buy some GNDs this winter, and I plan on buying the Lee system with the W/A adaptor for my 77mm EFS 10-22, and one day, for a 17-40L.
My question is that I also plan on buying a 77mm 10 stop ND filter. From what I understand, if you mount the W/A adaptor for the Lee system, it will not not vignette (even if using a 16mm on FF).
But my question is this. If I screw on the ND first, then use the W/A adaptor and Lee system with GNDs, will I still be vignette free? Has anyone used this setup, or been able to use an ND filter AND a GND simultaneously with minimal or no vignette? Thanks.
Vignetting (or lack of) will be dependent on several factors; full-frame v. crop sensor (1.3, 1.5, 1.6x), the lens involved, and the type o filter(s) involved. I can see you've got a 1.6x crop-sensor body, since you've mentioned an EF-S lens, but which ND will you be using? The B+W F-Pro are fairly thin, but the newer Hoya's are much thinner, while still having front threads. Why not buy an ND filter to fit the Lee adapter instead?
dcains wrote:
Vignetting (or lack of) will be dependent on several factors; full-frame v. crop sensor (1.3, 1.5, 1.6x), the lens involved, and the type o filter(s) involved. I can see you've got a 1.6x crop-sensor body, since you've mentioned an EF-S lens, but which ND will you be using? The B+W F-Pro are fairly thin, but the newer Hoya's are much thinner, while still having front threads. Why not buy an ND filter to fit the Lee adapter instead?
I am looking to get a 9 or 10 stop ND, and was thinking B+W. What do you mean by getting an ND to fit the Lee adapter? You mean like ...
You simply use one of your slots in the Lee Holder for the ND. Vignetting depends on a bunch of things. However to minimize this if you are using it on a wide angle system, get the Lee wide angle adapter as you mentioned. This sets the holder less back a little, which helps. then if you do get vignetting, take one slot out (you will need shorter screws, but either your local hardware store has those or you can order them from B&H). That should do it. 16 may still vignette on full frame with two slots and the wide angle adapter, so be aware of that. Note that 0.9 means 8x on ND according to Lee.
And so, outside of having a custom-made ND from Singh Ray, there isn't anyway to get a 10 stop ND in a 4x6, right?
I asked that on a thread a week or so ago, and the only option was a screw-in 10 stop, or a custom-made one from Singh Ray (and to have this done, it is supposed to cost big bucks).
I would give the 8 stop a try first. Then if that does not work buy a round 10 stop ND in the size to fit your lens. Then take the ND out of the holder it came in. There is usually a screw in piece on one side. Then glue it into a second Lee wide angle adapter. Presto, you have a 10 stop ND glued into the adapter. A little crazy glue and a spare Lee wide angle adapter would be much cheaper than any option from Sing Ray.
That said, it might take a bit of playing around to find the right filter size to fit into the adapter, so a trip to the camera shop with a pair of micrometers might be in order.
