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Lee Filters for Rangefinders


jklotz

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...quite.

 

I note they show it on an X-Pan - a discontinued camera that is significantly larger than an M.

 

What is this doing in the M9 sub-forum anyway...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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OP is talking about the RF75 system not 100mm. It is specifically made for those who would like to try a filter system with RF or other smaller cameras. I use it occasionally with varying degrees of success (yes sometimes there is viewfinder blockage). There is no easy way to use ND grads on an M9 but this system at least makes it possible - at a price. For nature/landscapes it is absolutely great. If you only need a polariser or ND you are better off with a good quality single screw-in filter.

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I had not heard the name Lee Filters for years, did not know they were still around. Never used them but at least their holder looks better than the plastic thingy they make years ago......

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I like that I can change filters more quickly, the polyester filters are inexpensive, and the holder has its other uses.

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It depends what lenses you need it for. The newer wideangles with screw-on hoods probably wont take the system, nor the WATE.

 

There is an exceeding amount of viewfinder blocking as well, I would say - not very usable.

 

...I just don't see the point, to be honest.

 

I respectfully beg to differ! :)

 

The R75 system has an excellent adapter ring to the 67mm adapter of the WATE.

The viewfinder blocking is totally manageable.

 

Here is an example of a panorama with the WATE and the 0.9 Lee Neutral Density RF75 Hard Grad. Tripod of course.

 

The point is that Neutral Grad etc just works as well on the M9 as on a DSRL. One has to chimp anyway to see if the result is pleasing

and the system remains small and light.

 

Zenfolio | Sander van Hulsenbeek Photography | South Island

 

Lee filters immediately available through Robert White:

Lee 75mm Rangefinder Filter System with more modern RF cameras shown than the X-Pan

 

And, risking to sound pompous - I know, these filters are essentially pre-processing, not post-processing. Belong on the M9 Forum!

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It may be usable on the WATE, but not on the 21 and 24 Summilux for instance. And that still doesn't get around it blocking the viewfinder, despite the claim on the Robert White website. I know - use a external one - but the two factors together are somewhat limiting. Otoh - each to his own :)

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James,

 

I carry a RF75 set with me everywhere I go. On landscapes, I use therm the same way I use the larger models from Lee on my large format cameras. Take a meter reading through the filter (not the grad ND) set the camera, and voila. Both filters and circular polaroid work very well.

It allows for natural looking images versus the halod HDR composites you see everywhere.

I really am happy with the purchase, but be careful you migth have to wait a few weeks for your supplier to get some components in stock, they always seem to be out of something!

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Argh... the RF75 looks very usable, even comes in a 60mm, but it does not work on my 24mm Lux... it's either Series 7 or 72mm, and it's my primary landscape lens.

Contact Lee Filters directly - they can get a mount made for you, or contact SRB-Griturn Ltd, who make the mounts for Lee.

 

I had one made so I could use the RF-75 with my 15mm CV and it works very well.

I think it cost about £60 for the adaptor.

 

Here's a picture of the adaptor.

 

img_0785.jpg

 

And here's a picture taken with the combo.

 

2008-week39-1.jpg

 

Hope that helps

 

 

Mark

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Just to add to what has been said. If you're shooting landscape with an ND grad, you should be tripod bound.

 

Frame your shot without the holder on - if 28mm or longer lens - otherwise you can frame with an auxiliary finder with the holder and filter mounted.

 

For those of you who consider it unusable, I assume you'd rather blend two shots in photoshop getting uneven water texture and elements that have moved? Or perhaps you prefer the HDR look? Dealing with 3/5/7 exposures of each scene in addition to the other superfluous shots I take when trying to time the water/light is a headache I'm happy to be free of.

 

Here are some shots taken with the RF75 on the M9:

Gap2.jpg

 

Rock-Pool.jpg

 

L1001858_CF.jpg

 

Ocean-Soul.jpg

 

Quite usable IMO, but Bill and Jaap might have more landscape shooting experience than I do, and have come across a real-world limitation with the system that I have not.

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I would like to use it on my main WA for landscape. ie the Summilux 24, but I can't :( that is the main problem I have with the system. Photoshop is quite doable with double develop, however, once you have figured out mask selection in LAB and blending masks.

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I use LAB but mostly for colour work, I'll look at using it for masking when I have time, it's quite new to me.

 

I just can't see how it would eliminate layering ghosts of water, but I guess if you blew out the sky completely it would be quite easy to mask, however then you get veiling in the foreground... Like I said my blending experience is minimal. I very rarely see a blended shot that looks natural though, maybe I'm looking in the wrong places :p

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