Filter system for the S -- what can you recommend?

[GMB]

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In a few weeks, I am probably and hopefully heading to Iceland with our camper for several weeks.  Iceland was always high on my list for photo destinations.  While I normally do not use filters extensively for landscape, I think shooting in Iceland may be different because I can see that smoothing water and cloud movements may be very interesting there.  

I do have the Lee filter system 10x10 cm with a 3-stop ND, the 10-stop Big Stopper, and a couple of grad ND filters.  There are two main issues with the system.  First, and most important, I cannot use it on the 24 and on the 30-90 at anything wiser than about 35 because of vignetting.  (To be precise, I can use it but then have to crop the edges). Second, the Big Stopper results in a blue color case which I is not always possible to correct in post.  So I am looking into alternatives. 

I saw a post that the vignetting issue on the 24 can be solved by buying and slightly modifying the Lee Push on Filter Holder.  Does anyone use that holder and does it work on the 30-90 as well?

I read a lot of good things about the Formatt Hitech filters. What is your experience, if any?  Does their holder work on the 24 and the 30-90?

David Farkas recommended the Schneider Schott system but looking at his site it seems the system is discontinued?

Anyway, looking forward to hearing your thoughts. 

[djmay]

I use the Lee push-on with the 24 with good results. I place small beads of silicone all around the holder, which makes a snug connection. I know someone who uses gaffer tape to fill the gap.

 I have used several Formatt- Hitech filters with not so good results. While the color balance is good, acuity is poor. I have replaced them with Haida 5, 10 and 15-stop versions with good results.

The majority of my Iceland photos are without filters.

Edited March 21, 2021 by djmay

[GMB]

3 minutes ago, djmay said:

I use the Lee push-on with the 24 with good results. I place small beads of silicone all around the holder, which makes a snug connection. I know someone who uses gaffer tape to fill the gap.

 I have used several Formatt- Hitech filters with not so good results. While the color balance is good, acuity is poor. I have replaced them with Haida 5, 10 and 15-stop versions with good results.

The majority of my Iceland photos are without filters.

Thanks. Do your Formatt Hitech and Haida Filters fit into the Lee holder?

[djmay]

2 minutes ago, GMB said:

Thanks. Do your Formatt Hitech and Haida Filters fit into the Lee holder?

Yes. 10-stop and 15-stop require the supplied gasket. You also need to ensure that no light strays into the camer. I cover the entire camera, except lens, with a large lens wrap.

[ZHNL]

I use NISI v6 100mm system. You could continued use your Lee filter with it. It is just a little tight if you do that. 

there is 95mm adapter ring from nisi for 24mm and zoom. It is the only option I have tested having no vignette and I don’t need go 150mm system. 

[xiaubauu2009]

I just use progress circular filter.... and bracket some of my shots.

[LeicaR10]

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GMB,  I use to have the Schneider filter holder and IRND filters with my S system.  David Farkas used that system as well for his trip to Iceland and wrote a very good report about his trip using the S system.  I have long since moved to the Breakthrough Photography filter system because the filters are the most color neutral.  David Farkas has done the same. 

 Here is the link to the site: https://breakthrough.photography/pages/performance-gallery  

I also used the Lee system long ago and found as you will see on the Breakthrough site the color shift of the Big Stopper and Formatt Hitech filter comparison.  I can say the Breakthrough filters are the best I have used and only ones I use now.  The Breakthrough filters save me a lot of post processing time correcting the color.  The NiSi system has a cinema filter holder and filters that would work for the S24 and S 30-90 albeit, the filters have a slight yellow cast to them.  In the few times when I needed a filter for shooting a scene with the S24, I would either shoot HDR and work the files or shoot with a circular 95 ND and expose for the highlights and bring up the shadows in PP.  The later option would often work best for with the S camera and me.  I hope this helps.  r/ Mark 

 

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by LeicaR10

[GMB]

9 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

GMB,  I use to have the Schneider filter holder and IRND filters with my S system.  David Farkas used that system as well for his trip to Iceland and wrote a very good report about his trip using the S system.  I have long since moved to the Breakthrough Photography filter system because the filters are the most color neutral.  David Farkas has done the same. 

 Here is the link to the site: https://breakthrough.photography/pages/performance-gallery  

I also used the Lee system long ago and found as you will see on the Breakthrough site the color shift of the Big Stopper and Formatt Hitech filter comparison.  I can say the Breakthrough filters are the best I have used and only ones I use now.  The Breakthrough filters save me a lot of post processing time correcting the color.  The NiSi system has a cinema filter holder and filters that would work for the S24 and S 30-90 albeit, the filters have a slight yellow cast to them.  In the few times when I needed a filter for shooting a scene with the S24, I would either shoot HDR and work the files or shoot with a circular 95 ND and expose for the highlights and bring up the shadows in PP.  The later option would often work best for with the S camera and me.  I hope this helps.  r/ Mark 

 

 

Hi Mark,

Thanks. Not easy to get these filters in Europe.  They either ship with USPS First Class (which can take up to 38 workind days) or DHL (but then at full value which means 21% sales tax here).  Good news is that they fit into the Lee holder.

Best. Georg

[LeicaR10]

Hi Georg,   I sent you a PM that might help you.  r/ Mark

[GMB]

Hello everyone.  I did a bit more research and came across this rather interesting test  https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2017/07/nd-filters/

I then checked out the Haida website and discovered their new M15 Filter holder system.  https://haida-deutschland.de/filterhalter/filterhalter-m15/  Apologies that the link is in German only but I could not find an English version.  However,below is link to a Youtube video with a review of the system.  The system takes both 150 mm plate filters and magnetic round filters and allows to combine, for example, pol-filters and GND filters.  The filters are not cheap by any stretch of imagination, in particular if you take the Nano Pro MC or the Red Diamond Filters (the latter have the same coating but softer edges and better protection against breaking).  In fact, they are in the same league (if not more expensive) than the Breakthrough filters (the prices on their website include 19% sales tax which you would not pay if you order from outside the EU). Of course, ordering from the EU has an advantage for me as it spares the hassle of getting things through customs and, more importantly, makes it easier if, for whatever reason, I have to send something back.

I am waiting for their final offer and most likely place an order tomorrow.  I will report once they are arrived and, more importantly, once I had a chance to test them in Island.

The one thing I am still hesitating is what ND filter to get.  At present, I choose a 6 Stop 2in1 (i.e, pol + 6 stop ND).  I thought the 3 stop is rarely of use and the 10 stop for rather extreme situations only (also considering that the S007 only allows for maximum 2 min exposure.

Georg

 

 

[djmay]

@GMB, I recommend against a combination filter. It is not a problem to stack filters. Also, there are many situations where it is better to use ND without polarizer and polarizer without ND. 
 

Therefore, I suggest to start with 6-stop and add 10-stop if you find you need more. 

[GMB]

4 minutes ago, djmay said:

@GMB, I recommend against a combination filter. It is not a problem to stack filters. Also, there are many situations where it is better to use ND without polarizer and polarizer without ND. 
 

Therefore, I suggest to start with 6-stop and add 10-stop if you find you need more. 

Thanks for the advice.  I also took a polarizer without ND.  My thoughts for getting the 6 stop as a 2in1 are the following.

The system offers magnetic filters and plate filters.  The magnetic filters are easier to handle, in particular if used with ND Grads.  If I take the 6 stop ND as a magnetic filter without, I could not never it with the polarizer (as one can only use 1 magnetic filter).  So in order to use it with a polarizer I would have to take it as a plate filter.  I also thought that if I do not want any polarizing effect, I can simply turn the filter into the appropriate position and, thus, effectively, have a 6 stop ND Grad without polarizer.

Am I missing something here?

 

[djmay]

3 minutes ago, GMB said:

Thanks for the advice.  I also took a polarizer without ND.  My thoughts for getting the 6 stop as a 2in1 are the following.

The system offers magnetic filters and plate filters.  The magnetic filters are easier to handle, in particular if used with ND Grads.  If I take the 6 stop ND as a magnetic filter without, I could not never it with the polarizer (as one can only use 1 magnetic filter).  So in order to use it with a polarizer I would have to take it as a plate filter.  I also thought that if I do not want any polarizing effect, I can simply turn the filter into the appropriate position and, thus, effectively, have a 6 stop ND Grad without polarizer.

Am I missing something here?

 

The polarizer is always polarizing light in a single plane. You cannot “turn it off.” You are changing the plane by rotating. If the result meets your intent, then it is a solution that works for you.

Does this mean that the combination filter is 6-stops total? Or 6-stopsND plus 1-2 stops for polarizer?

[GMB]

1 minute ago, djmay said:

Does this mean that the combination filter is 6-stops total? Or 6-stopsND plus 1-2 stops for polarizer?

I think 6 stops total but would need to check.  It's a circular pol filter.

[Jeff S]

The contrarian point of view...

 

 

Jeff

Edited March 31, 2021 by Jeff S

[albireo_double]

I have the Wine Country holder which I like because of the frames that hold the filters (much less chance of smudging the glass with my dirty fingers) but it is on the big and heavy side, compared to the alternatives. And the truth is that I don't use grads all that often (prefer to bracket and combine several images in PS using luminosity masking). Similar with polarisers - I have somewhat tired of the deep blue skies and electrifyingly green grasses.

Link to Wine Country system - German dealer

[GMB]

18 hours ago, Jeff S said:

The contrarian point of view...

 

Jeff

I watched the two videos.  Interesting points. But also interesting debate in the comments on the videos on YouTube. 

[GMB]

@Jeff SJust curious.  What’s your view on the use of pol filters.  

[Jeff S]

7 minutes ago, GMB said:

@Jeff SJust curious.  What’s your view on the use of pol filters.  

I’m probably not your best source, as I no longer use the S system, and do a lot of work other than landscape.  I had a polarizer in my film days, but still don’t own one for digital.  I think they can serve a useful purpose, but aesthetically, I primarily shoot b/w and prefer a more natural rendering/contrast in skies and water, and tweaking in post as needed.
 

Whatever works and suits one’s style... no right or wrong.

Jeff

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[Vieri]

On 3/21/2021 at 4:22 PM, djmay said:

I use the Lee push-on with the 24 with good results. I place small beads of silicone all around the holder, which makes a snug connection. I know someone who uses gaffer tape to fill the gap.

 I have used several Formatt- Hitech filters with not so good results. While the color balance is good, acuity is poor. I have replaced them with Haida 5, 10 and 15-stop versions with good results.

The majority of my Iceland photos are without filters.

Hey Jesse,

have you tried the Firecrest Ultra line? They are the only filters on the market that undergo a "cinema" treatment - meaning they get polished for 9 hours, making their surface extremely flat - and their acuity is just best on the market IMHO while retaining the colour neutrality.

Best regards,

Vieri