Lee or B&W 10 stop ND filter

[NigelC]

Before most of my camera gear was stolen, I had taken one test shot using a B&W ten stop glass screw in filter  on a Canon 17-40L. It had a very warm cast. Now I am about to replace lens and filter, I wonder whether the Lee 100x100mm slot-in glass filter (at least I think it's glass - could be very high quality resin) might be a better idea, i.e. more neutral. Of course, if I decide to replace with 16-35 rather than 17-40, has to be slot in since don't make B&W 82mm screw-in.

Anyone used the Lee filter?

[stamper]

Have a look at this.

http://www.lightcraftworkshop.co.uk/products.html

They claim the filter has less colour cast than the B&W. Scroll done the page. It is a 9 stop. The colour cast is easily removed in an image editor BTW.

[NigelC]

Interesting - they say if your interest is predominantly wide angle stills work, better off with fixed ND filter. Their 9 stop fixed ND is only in 77mm at the moment

[Erick Boileau]

http://singh-ray.com/varind.html

[NigelC]

$390 !!!!!

[Luis Argerich]

I found the b+w introduced a nasty color cast in my Canon Camera. Probably due to Infrared filtration.
I'm now using a Hoya ND400 (9 stops) and the color is much much better.
I can stack a 1 or 3 stop filter if I need even longer exposures.

[Erick Boileau]

$390 !!!!!

yes but very good, and you can get a SLIM filter for wide angels, available in 77 and 82 mm, I have it and I like it

for normal ND filters I am using Heliopan

[hsmeets]

$390 !!!!!

And that for 2 stacked polarizing filters...

[Erick Boileau]

yes but they were alone to make it

[ErnestMcGill]

Has anybody tried stacking three Cokin 3 stop filters?    Cokin P type ND8s are available from fotodiox on eBay for about $7 each with shipping.

[bradleygibson]

Although you can sometimes get a color cast (depends on filter brand and desired density), you might also consider using 2 polarizers to create a variable ND filter.  Many articles on this: eg.  http://dimagemaker.com/2008/02/23/using-crossed-polarizers-for-a-variable-nd-filter

[stamper]

Has anybody tried stacking three Cokin 3 stop filters?    Cokin P type ND8s are available from fotodiox on eBay for about $7 each with shipping.

Is this the square ones used with the holders? If so you will get vignetting and possible light leaking around the holder. I have used one and it vignetted my lens from 18mm to 24mm. Three would make the problem worse and there is an even stronger colour cast than a 10 stop filter. False economy imo.

[julian_love]

In my experience, having experimented with both methods in the Scilly Isles back in September:

Stacking 2 Cokin filters (2 stop and 3 stop) is a disaster - deep red colour cast. I can only assume 3 filters would be even worse.

I also have a Fader Vari-ND filter (2 polarizers stacked, similar to the Singh Ray Vari ND) which I originally bought for video use. I would try for stills - WAY too soft to use for stills....don't go this route. Great for video when you want shallow DOF in bright sunlight though.

I am now going to invest in a LEE filter system, but at the moment there is a long waiting list as they can't make them fast enough. I spoke to a LEE rep at a recent trade show and he said they are hiring more staff and building more capacity but it will take time to show results. He suggested to get an order in and then at least I am on the wait list.

[NigelC]

I am going to give the Lightcraft ND 500 a try, or possibly Heliopan - both these more easily obtainable than Lee or B&W

[Sussex Landscapes]

I dont have the lee filter, but use the BW extensively.
whilst its dark through the viewfinder, if you keep the other eye closed you can see enough to compose the shot, without the hassle of removing the screwin filter.
somebody above suggested stacking Cokin filters. DONT! they are terrible with extensive colour shift that cannot be rectified in post.
there a few latest images in my gallery section that shows the bw filter in action. off the top of my head, the old pier and groyne shots, and the very last image of the lighthouse at sunset.

simon

[Owin]

If you get the Lee then it doesn't matter which filter size your lens uses as you just get a different adapter for each lens filter size.

Of course you don't need the holder you can just hold it over the front of lens, but with very long exposures I'd get a filter holder.

Just my thoughts.