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Archive 2018 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

I always wondered why LEE never produced a 'square shaped' circular polarizer for the Seven5 filter system. I have used their 4x4" (100x100mm) C-POL and loved it since it can be used with wide angle lenses without vignetting.

LEE has a circular polarizer for the Seven5 line but unfortunately it vignettes with lenses wider than 21mm. (Works great with my Loxia 21/2.8). However, after removing my CV 15/4.5 III's hood, I wanted to share one circular polarizer with all my other lenses. The solution was to cut the 100x100 glass to fit the Seven5 holder...

The process was fairly easy using the right tool. I purchased this glass cutter from Amazon.

It allowed me to cut the glass from both sides of the filter and after a while, it just broke off. I advise covering the filter glass with blue tape to avoid any scratches. To finalize, I used sand paper to smooth the edges and it looks and fits great. The best part is that now I can use it with all my lenses including the CV 15/4.5.

I tested it together with a big stopper and the combination worked without any issues.

PS: I mainly use NDs and C-POL filters. If you still use Grads, this solution may not be optimal for you.

Here is a picture showing the modded square C-POL on the Seven5 filter holder. Try it at your own risk.

Feb 17, 2018 at 04:12 PM

Blakehfreeman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

In other news, Fred is braver than me. In all seriousness it looks great!

Feb 17, 2018 at 04:15 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Blakehfreeman wrote:
In other news, Fred is braver than me. In all seriousness it looks great!

I'm actually happy it worked. I was a bit nervous cutting a $250 glass filter.

Feb 17, 2018 at 06:36 PM

ylimehajile
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

When I think I've finally settled on the two decisions I was struggling with...
1) Keep my Lee Foundation kit over changing to the Lee Seven5
2) Keep my lens hood on my CV 15/4.5 and just use screw on filters.

Here comes another Fred mod to wake all of that back up

Awesome solution!!!

Feb 17, 2018 at 06:53 PM

Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred what a great idea and hack! I have the Seven 5 filter set, a Lee Foundation 100 mm filter set and the Lee 150 mm filters used with Nisi Filter holder for my FE 12-24 G. I only wish I could cut it down to one filter set but unfortunately my Laowa 15 vignettes with the Seven 5 and there is no way the foundation 100 mm will work with the 12-24 G!

Although I do have all the 100mm Lee Foundation adapters for my primes including a 43mm for the tiny 85mm ZM Lens. The filters are huge compared to my Loxia 21, CV 40 and the 85 ZM but at least it works with the Laowa 15. No vignetting problems!

Feb 17, 2018 at 07:05 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Chuck Coyne wrote:
Fred what a great idea and hack! I have the Seven 5 filter set, a Lee Foundation 100 mm filter set and the Lee 150 mm filters used with Nisi Filter holder for my FE 12-24 G. I only wish I could cut it down to one filter set but unfortunately my Laowa 15 vignettes with the Seven 5 and there is no way the foundation 100 mm will work with the 12-24 G!

Although I do have all the 100mm Lee Foundation adapters for my primes including a 43mm for the tiny 85mm ZM Lens. The filters are...Show more →

Yes, unfortunately the Laowa 15 vignettes with the Seven5 but the good news is that the CV 15/4.5 III E-mount is already outstanding to the very corners if you can find a good copy. I love the compactness of the LEE Seven5 and wanted to share it with all my lenses.
This requires two mods:

1) Removal of the CV 15/4.5 III hood. I used S.K Grimes but it's not hard to be done in-home. I just wanted to be a neat job. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1527418
2) LEE Glass C-POL 4x4" width reduction, in order to fit on the Seven5 holder. I'm sure this can be done professionally as well.

Feb 17, 2018 at 07:22 PM

Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred Miranda wrote:
Yes, unfortunately the Laowa 15 vignettes with the Seven5 but the good news is that the CV 15/4.5 III E-mount is already outstanding to the very corners if you can find a good copy. I love the compactness of the LEE Seven5 and wanted to share it with all my lenses.
This requires two mods:

1) Removal of the CV 15/4.5 III hood. I used S.K Grimes but it's not hard to be done in-home. I just wanted to be a neat job. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1527418
2) LEE Glass C-POL 4x4" width reduction, in order to fit on the Seven5 holder. I'm sure...Show more →

You are making me think that I should look for a good CV15 and and make the mods as you did so I can cut it down to the Seven 5 filters for my landscape prime kit. Just take the Laowa 15 for those few Astro outings.

Feb 17, 2018 at 07:30 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Chuck Coyne wrote:
You are making me think that I should look for a good CV15 and and make the mods as you did so I can cut it down to the Seven 5 filters for my landscape prime kit. Just take the Laowa 15 for those few Astro outings.

It's definitely doable. I am not sure if you ever tried the LEE Square C-POL before as it only works when inserted correctly. The side showing the wording "LEE C. POL" must face away from the camera. (Like in the picture shown on my first post)...otherwise it won't have any polarizing effect.

To get maximum effect, one needs to turn the filter holder counter-clockwise by 90 degrees. The Seven5 holder does not cause vignetting with the CV 15 when it is in straight position. However, if the adapter is turned diagonally a very small vignetting shows up. That's never a problem for me since I usually want maximum polarizing effect and the holder is never set diagonally.

Here is a sample showing the effect on and off. Pay attention to the absence of window reflection and darkening of the sky for the C.Pol version. Colors improve as well.

Feb 17, 2018 at 08:04 PM

Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred It looks good!

Feb 17, 2018 at 08:52 PM

Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Now I’m on the hunt for a very good CV15! Then off to S.K. Grimes for hood removal 😁

Feb 17, 2018 at 09:37 PM

wnichols
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred have you tried the Nisi 70mm system with the CPL build into the holder? The CPL is removable in case you don't need it and it's up against the lens instead of out on the front. I just got mine last week and haven't had a chance to test the quality of the CPL yet, it's been raining non stop it seems. I think the Lee filters might even fit it.

Feb 17, 2018 at 09:39 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

wnichols wrote:
Fred have you tried the Nisi 70mm system with the CPL build into the holder? The CPL is removable in case you don't need it and it's up against the lens instead of out on the front. I just got mine last week and haven't had a chance to test the quality of the CPL yet, it's been raining non stop it seems. I think the Lee filters might even fit it.

It's another great choice but I'm not sure if it vignettes with a 15mm lens since it looks like the Nisi CPL adapter sets the holder further from the lens.
Also, the Seven5 is 75mm and may not fit onto the Nisi 70mm holder.
I use 67mm and 72mm lenses that need adapters and the Nisi only goes up to 55mm. Even my 100-400GM works with the Seven5 by using a 77-72 step-down ring + LEE 72 adapter ring with zero vignetting.

Feb 17, 2018 at 09:58 PM

wnichols
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Thanks for the info Fred, I went with the Nisi mainly because of the cost of Lee's CPL in comparison to other systems. I'd be scared to death cutting one of those filters, I'm nervous enough just using them sometimes lol.

Bill

Fred Miranda wrote:
It's another great choice but I'm not sure if it vignettes with a 15mm lens since it looks like the Nisi CPL adapter sets the holder further from the lens.
Also, the Seven5 is 75mm and may not fit onto the Nisi 70mm holder.
I use 67mm and 72mm lenses that need adapters and the Nisi only goes up to 55mm. Even my 100-400GM works with the Seven5 by using a 77-72 step-down ring + LEE 72 adapter ring with zero vignetting.

Feb 17, 2018 at 10:32 PM

rji2goleez
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Chuck Coyne wrote:
Now I’m on the hunt for a very good CV15! Then off to S.K. Grimes for hood removal 😁

My 'son of choppy' CV15 should be back from S.K. Grimes any day now. I have some Lee Seven5 filters but I guess I'm going to try the hack as well!

Feb 17, 2018 at 10:38 PM

Chuck Coyne
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Fred Miranda wrote:
It's another great choice but I'm not sure if it vignettes with a 15mm lens since it looks like the Nisi CPL adapter sets the holder further from the lens.
Also, the Seven5 is 75mm and may not fit onto the Nisi 70mm holder.
I use 67mm and 72mm lenses that need adapters and the Nisi only goes up to 55mm. Even my 100-400GM works with the Seven5 by using a 77-72 step-down ring + LEE 72 adapter ring with zero vignetting.

I have the Lee Seven 5 CPL that attaches to the front of the holder. I’ve used it on a few occasions and it worked fine but I never tried it on anything wider than my Loxia 21mm. Have you tried using it with the CV 15? I do like that I can use the Seven 5 with adapters for my Batis 135 (67mm) and my 100-400 GM (77mm) without vignetting.

Fred I just answered my own question about the Lee Seven 5 CPL that attaches to the front of the holder, looking at your post about the S.K. Grimes hood removal, you mentioned that anything wider than 20mm will vignette. Thanks

Feb 18, 2018 at 06:30 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Chuck Coyne wrote:
I have the Lee Seven 5 CPL that attaches to the front of the holder. I’ve used it on a few occasions and it worked fine but I never tried it on anything wider than my Loxia 21mm. Have you tried using it with the CV 15? I do like that I can use the Seven 5 with adapters for my Batis 135 (67mm) and my 100-400 GM (77mm) without vignetting.

Fred I just answered my own question about the Lee Seven 5 CPL that attaches to the front of the holder, looking at your post about the S.K. Grimes...Show more →

Yes, the Seven5 C-POL filter is great but vignettes with 15 and 18mm lenses. I've never tried on the Tokina 20/2 but I can confirm that it does not vignette with the Lox 21.

Feb 18, 2018 at 10:20 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Did anyone else attempted to do this or was I the only crazy one?

I wish Lee would develop a square polarizer for the Seven5 system but until then, I will be using this mod!

Apr 23, 2018 at 06:03 PM

bellapete
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

Haida makes a 75mm system with a circular polarizer that attaches behind the grads/nds like nisi v5 :
https://www.flickr.com/gp/159261126@N05/834qw4
May be it would work without vignetting ?
One question Fred : if you cut also the 25mm of the top part you would be able to turn it 90° without having to rotate the holder in cases you use grads, isn't it ?

Jun 13, 2018 at 12:56 AM

bellapete
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

bellapete wrote:
Haida makes a 75mm system with a circular polarizer that attaches behind the grads/nds like nisi v5 :
https://www.flickr.com/gp/159261126@N05/834qw4
May be it would work without vignetting ?
One question Fred : if you cut also the 25mm of the top part you would be able to turn it 90° without having to rotate the holder in cases you use grads, isn't it ?

I figured out that the haida holder has a 58mm thread so it won't work... The benro one goes up to 67mm which should be fine for your lenses except the 100-400.

Jun 16, 2018 at 09:57 AM

Battlestar23
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · LEE Filters 4x4" Circular Polarizer Glass Filter Mod

I'd like to bump this thread. How's the filter holds on the filter adaptor? I heard from review that it's not that tight and the spring will not last that long?

Aug 22, 2018 at 02:58 AM

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