Filter System for the S 007

[Bill W]

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I am looking at filter systems anticipating getting the S 007. Initially I will only have a 70 but anticipate getting the 30 as soon as possible. I have seen folks mention the Lee system and I have read about the Formatt Hitech. Can anyone recommend one or the other. I have looked a videos for both systems. Can anyone recommend a good source for purchasing a "kit". These usually have a discount in the pricing.

[darylgo]

Hi Bill,

 

I have experience with the Lee system and find these type systems inconvenient in use as a landscape shooter, preferring the screw in filters when possible.

Recently I had the opportunity to use Hitech filters, a 16 stop filter and was quite impressed that it blocked the IR contamination better than any other brand, including Lee's Big Stopper and much better than B+W neutral densities.  Other Hitech filters such as grad nd filters (glass) had a more neutral rendition than the Lee filters.   I was reading on the cinema boards that they also found the newer Hitech filters the most neutral.  Lee has an office in Burbank, CA and when visiting them they were very helpful, demonstrating any product I was interested in.    

[Bill W]

Thanks Daryl,

I am leaning toward the Hitech based on what I have read and seen. I know they might be inconvenient but I am usually slow and deliberate in my approach. They might not work if one needs to set up quickly for a grab shot.

[darylgo]

I have used my Hitech filters in the Lee holders, so a hybrid system is possible.  Something to be aware of is that filter thickness can vary with Hitech, one of my filters is thicker, iirc it is 4mm and others are 2mm, so various holders may be necessary.  

[xiaubauu2009]

Or go for the cheap and very good Haida!

I am using it and found the ND has no colourcast!

I have both the 100mm and 150mm, I think 100mm is enough even for 24mm

 

For the holder, I use Progrey, very thin bezel and frame. Will not create any vignetting.

[Bill W]

Haida does have a dealer in the US but it does not appear to offer much at this point according the net.

[dfarkas]

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I've used both Lee and HiTech in the past. Resin filters can be a real pain to use in the field. They are difficult to clean as they scratch extremely easily and also build up a static charge as you rub them (or take them out of a soft sleeve). Once scratched, they diffract light like nobody's business. Shooting through two stacked can cause serious flare pointed towards the light (like a sunrise over a horizon).

 

I switched several years ago to Schneider Schott glass filters and have never looked back. Resin filters never would have held up to the punishment I made my filters endure in Iceland. To give you an idea of how durable the Schneiders are, I stored my filters without cases in the unlined hand pockets of my hard shell jacket, with the holder, stacked one on top of another. I'd reach in for the one I needed and put the others back in. This way, I didn't have to monkey around in my backpack in the wet and blustery conditions. I also rubbed the heck out of them with the constant cleaning of water droplets. No scratches. 

 

Of course, optically, I also much prefer Schott optical glass to resin. Shooting with the S through a B+W polarizer, a graduated ND and a fixed ND, you'd never know I had even used a single filter. No loss of contrast, detail or sharpness.

 

They are simply the best. 

 

And, yes, after purchasing a set for myself years ago, and being pleased with the results, I decided to sell them. I only sell stuff that I would use (or do use) personally. 

 

http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/4-filter-system

[Jeff S]

I was going to suggest that Bill call David at the Miami store to see what he recommends....no need now.

 

As an aside, though, my understanding is that Hitech and Lee also sell some glass filters.....according to their site, some of the ones from Hitech are actually Schott glass.

 

Jeff

[dfarkas]

I was going to suggest that Bill call David at the Miami store to see what he recommends....no need now.

 

As an aside, though, my understanding is that Hitech and Lee also sell some glass filters.....according to their site, some of the ones from Hitech are actually Schott glass.

 

Jeff

 

Jeff,

 

Thanks. I just had a look at the Hitech website. Looks like they merged with Formatt Filters, which is where the glass filters for motion picture (4") came from. Also seems that these filters cost a little more than comparable Schneider ones. I'm sure the Formatt pedigree filters are quite good, although I haven't used them personally.

[Bill W]

Thanks David and Jeff. I will research the Schneider option tomorrow.

[Bill W]

I've used both Lee and HiTech in the past. Resin filters can be a real pain to use in the field. They are difficult to clean as they scratch extremely easily and also build up a static charge as you rub them (or take them out of a soft sleeve). Once scratched, they diffract light like nobody's business. Shooting through two stacked can cause serious flare pointed towards the light (like a sunrise over a horizon).

 

I switched several years ago to Schneider Schott glass filters and have never looked back. Resin filters never would have held up to the punishment I made my filters endure in Iceland. To give you an idea of how durable the Schneiders are, I stored my filters without cases in the unlined hand pockets of my hard shell jacket, with the holder, stacked one on top of another. I'd reach in for the one I needed and put the others back in. This way, I didn't have to monkey around in my backpack in the wet and blustery conditions. I also rubbed the heck out of them with the constant cleaning of water droplets. No scratches. 

 

Of course, optically, I also much prefer Schott optical glass to resin. Shooting with the S through a B+W polarizer, a graduated ND and a fixed ND, you'd never know I had even used a single filter. No loss of contrast, detail or sharpness.

 

They are simply the best. 

 

And, yes, after purchasing a set for myself years ago, and being pleased with the results, I decided to sell them. I only sell stuff that I would use (or do use) personally. 

 

http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/4-filter-system

David,

Are all of the Schneider filters 4mm thick? The kit says that and I assume the added filters are as well.

[dfarkas]

David,

Are all of the Schneider filters 4mm thick? The kit says that and I assume the added filters are as well.

 

Yes. They are all 4mm thick. Two pieces of optical glass sandwich a shaded laminate in between.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I am looking at filter systems anticipating getting the S 007. Initially I will only have a 70 but anticipate getting the 30 as soon as possible. I have seen folks mention the Lee system and I have read about the Formatt Hitech. Can anyone recommend one or the other. I have looked a videos for both systems. Can anyone recommend a good source for purchasing a "kit". These usually have a discount in the pricing.

Bill

I have the Lee Filter system that I used with my Nikon gear. I find it quite easy to use and have not had many issues with it. I have been advised by a friend of mine that also shoots Leica to look at the Singh Ray variable ND filters and wondered if David or anyone else had any comments about them???

[Bill W]

Neil,

I bought a Schneider kit which uses the Lee holder and adapters. I just need my camera to show up from Leica but unfortunately it will not be here till October. I went with the Schneider because they are thicker and use glass and not resin.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Neil,

I bought a Schneider kit which uses the Lee holder and adapters. I just need my camera to show up from Leica but unfortunately it will not be here till October. I went with the Schneider because they are thicker and use glass and not resin.

So Bill is it the 4 x 4 filters that fit the Lee filter holders or the 4 x ???

[Bill W]

Yes it is the 4X4 system and I have a 6 stop ND and a GND which is a 4X5.65 2 stop. I can use it with a pola filter which will allow the Lee filter holder to attach to it. It came with a 77mm adapter and I bought an 82mm. The 77mm with also attach to my Nikon zoom.