p.1 #1 · Polarizer at fromt of Lee system question
I have a question about a 105mm CP at the front of the Lee system. Since it's pretty rare to use GNDs and a polarizer at same time, assuming I have no filter in the foundation holder slots, i.e., if I ONLY want the CP (no GND or ND in the slots), is the light that comes in from the vacant slot areas going to cause a problem? Will that light affect the polarization effect? Would it matter if I had 1 or 2 slots? Last question, if I'm shooting towards sun and want a GND, would leaving the CP mounted be an issue; I know there's no polarization effect but taking it off is a PITA.
p.1 #2 · Polarizer at fromt of Lee system question
It is indeed rare to need both grad ND filters and a polarizer at the same time, which is why I would always recomend that you have a good polarizer that directly fits your lens, and use it when you only need polarization. It is easier to adjust, costs less than a 105mm polarizer, and has no issues at all with possible internal reflections caused by light leaks.
If you do then want to add the capability of a grad ND and a polarizer combined at the same time, then the 105mm polarizer on the front is the way I like to do that, but you can have issues caused by light coming in a slot. The leaking light does not directly affect the polarization, but it can cause reflections on the inside of the polarizer that may show in your image, or may lower contrast. It will always depend on how much light from what direction, and you could potentially orient the Lee holder to put the slots turned partially away from the light source. I happen to only have one slot on my Lee holder that has the 105mm threaded adapter on the front, but two slots would likely have more light leakage problems. But besides leakage, if your use is on a wide angle lens, you may only want on slot installed to avoid "seeing" your front polarizer edges in the corners of the frame.
Leaving a polarizer on when you do not need it has one major effect of loosing you about 2 stops of light. And the effects of a polarizer are not exactly as simple as knowing what direction the sun is. If the sun has any downward angle to it, you will see some effects. If you have distant haze that is lit by downward light, the polarizer makes a difference. And if you have other things like reflections off of water, or have green foilage in the scene, or have rocks like sandstone that reflect light, those can all have different effects based on polarization. And light from the sky or from clouds comes from a variety of directions no matter where the suh is, which all interacts with polarization effects. At the very least, if you do not want to remove it, I would strongly recomend that you adjust your polarizer to see any effects, and then set it for the shot to the way you like it.
My way of handling all of this is to have a second Lee holder, and set one up for up to 2 grad ND filters, and the other for one grad ND plus the threaded adapter with the option of a polarizer. The Lee filter holders go on and off a lens in seconds, so I can change things around easily and quickly. But my primary polarization is still a good screw on that mounts directly to my lens.
p.1 #3 · Polarizer at fromt of Lee system question
Hi David, I have used this combo during sunsets and sunrises, and while what Roland wrote is technically correct, in majority of situations you wont experience any internal reflections due to light coming through the vacant slot or between the polariser and the grad (it would have to be at a very specific angle). If that should occur you ca easily screen it with your hand or even entire body if you stand by the side of you camera. Having said that it might be a different story in the middle of the day handholding.
p.1 #4 · Polarizer at fromt of Lee system question
Roland W wrote:
It is indeed rare to need both grad ND filters and a polarizer at the same time, which is why I would always recomend that you have a good polarizer that directly fits your lens, and use it when you only need polarization. It is easier to adjust, costs less than a 105mm polarizer, and has no issues at all with possible internal reflections caused by light leaks.
If you do then want to add the capability of a grad ND and a polarizer combined at the same time, then the 105mm polarizer on the front is the way I like to do that, but you can have issues caused by light coming in a slot. The leaking light does not directly affect the polarization, but it can cause reflections on the inside of the polarizer that may show in your image, or may lower contrast. It will always depend on how much light from what direction, and you could potentially orient the Lee holder to put the slots turned partially away from the light source. I happen to only have one slot on my Lee holder that has the 105mm threaded adapter on the front, but two slots would likely have more light leakage problems. But besides leakage, if your use is on a wide angle lens, you may only want on slot installed to avoid "seeing" your front polarizer edges in the corners of the frame.
Leaving a polarizer on when you do not need it has one major effect of loosing you about 2 stops of light. And the effects of a polarizer are not exactly as simple as knowing what direction the sun is. If the sun has any downward angle to it, you will see some effects. If you have distant haze that is lit by downward light, the polarizer makes a difference. And if you have other things like reflections off of water, or have green foilage in the scene, or have rocks like sandstone that reflect light, those can all have different effects based on polarization. And light from the sky or from clouds comes from a variety of directions no matter where the suh is, which all interacts with polarization effects. At the very least, if you do not want to remove it, I would strongly recomend that you adjust your polarizer to see any effects, and then set it for the shot to the way you like it.
My way of handling all of this is to have a second Lee holder, and set one up for up to 2 grad ND filters, and the other for one grad ND plus the threaded adapter with the option of a polarizer. The Lee filter holders go on and off a lens in seconds, so I can change things around easily and quickly. But my primary polarization is still a good screw on that mounts directly to my lens. ...Show more →
When used with GND, there is the limitation of only 2 orientations of 90 degree rotations, but in practice it works quite well, even with that consideration.
p.1 #7 · Polarizer at fromt of Lee system question
There's nothing wrong with using a CP together with GNDs. I use one all the time with GND and/or ND filters. Anyone who has shot a landscape with water or foliage in the scene ought to know better than to dismiss a CP out-of-hand (seascapes, especially sunrises and sunsets, definitely count). Besides, if there were no need, why would Lee build it at all, and why would people buy the components? At around $350 with the adapter fitting, one must certainly have the need to even fool with a 105mm CP on the front of a Lee kit in the first place, like me.
Shooting into the sun there certainly can be a polarization effect - anything that scatters light or causes a glare-induced reflection will be affected, like water (seascape/pond/lake/river/puddle), grass/leaves, especially with with wetness/dew on them, etc., and it can bring out contrast in the clouds, too. I don't think anyone ever said there's zero polarizing effect at 0 degrees, only that polarizing effect for darkening blue sky is maximized at 90 degrees from the sun. Whenever any light is scattered for any reason, a polarizer can usually have some effect.
What got me to get one for my Lee kit was that I got tired of connecting a screw-on CP BEHIND the Lee kit and trying to adjust it. That's madness.
if you want to use a Lee square polarizer and GNDs, you could also use a Lee Professional Kit, which is two filter holders hooked together by a tandem adapter that allows the holders to rotate independently. I've never shot that rig, so I can't say if you gain anthing for WA over the rotating CP setup.
