millsart wrote:
This is the first time I've heard anyone say a screw in filter (other than the inflexible and rather useless ND grads) is a PITA compared to a filter system.
I find it so much easier to screw filters on/off than trying to stack several filters into my holder and make sure I don't drop them or touch the face of them.
As long as you're careful, it shouldn't happen. They require no more care than threaded filters IMO. And if you handle them by the edges, you won't be touching the face. But if you do accidentally touch the face, they're no more difficult to clean than a pair of resin eyeglasses.
millsart wrote:
This is the first time I've heard anyone say a screw in filter (other than the inflexible and rather useless ND grads) is a PITA compared to a filter system.
I find it so much easier to screw filters on/off than trying to stack several filters into my holder and make sure I don't drop them or touch the face of them.
The main problem with a screw-in 10 stop ND is that onnce you've screwed it onto your lens you can't see a damn thing.
I've tried B+W 6 and 10 stop screw-in's and the Lee Big Stopper - both the B+W's have been sold. The Lee is easy to use, compose your shot, focus check metering etc, then slot in the filter and you're ready to go. If you need to re-compose just slide the filter out. Much easier.
FWIW, Both of the B+W filters (10 stop and 6 stop) had a warm colour cast, the Lee has a cool colour cast.
johnahill wrote:
[mark]The main problem with a screw-in 10 stop ND is that onnce you've screwed it onto your lens you can't see a damn thing.[/mark]
I've tried B+W 6 and 10 stop screw-in's and the Lee Big Stopper - both the B+W's have been sold. The Lee is easy to use, compose your shot, focus check metering etc, then slot in the filter and you're ready to go. If you need to re-compose just slide the filter out. Much easier.
FWIW, Both of the B+W filters (10 stop and 6 stop) had a warm colour cast, the Lee has a cool colour cast.
That's not quite true. If the light is decent, and your camera has Live View, you'll be to "see" through the filter without any problems (at least with the LV on a 5D2). I was able to see through a B+W 10-stop while it was stacked with a Singh-Ray Gold/Blue polarizer, for a total of 12-stops. Can't vouch for anything other than a 5D2, and of course the light needs to be good.
I, too use the B+W 6 and 10-stop screw-in NDs, but they, like many other NDs, have color casts in certain situations. (This was a FM topic recently). I assume the Lee Big Stopper may also have its own color cast. So you might also want to consider the color cast of any given ND filter, along with price, when you make your decision.
Adding a recent data point:
I started my kit with 2filters... foundation, 77mm WA, and 0.6 GND hard. 2filters said they have "a hundred people" on the back order list for a Big Stopper, and estimated a 3 month wait.
I placed an order with UniquePhoto.com last week, and received my Big Stopper today.
I recommend using Linhof Studio in the UK http://www.linhofstudio.com/home/home.html to source Lee Filters gear - their customer support, price and supply availability have been superb in my experience.
what do you think to buy this Lee 3 stop soft ND grad ?
somebody had already an experience with it ?
many thanks, Thierry
I have the 6-stop and 10-stop Hitech ND. My advice is to set-up custom white balance using a graycard when using this filter. It's not easy to remove the color cast later on. Same issue with the Lee as well.
Here is a more current article about the new Hitech Prostop 3.0 filter versus the Lee Big Stopper. This is a new formulation of the original Hitech 10 stop filter.
