alternative to Lee CPL 105mm

[th3_n3wb13]

I'll have my Lee foundation kit holder sometime mid May. I just can't believe the price of Lee CPL filter. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Mustachio]

Well I just ordered the Lee foundation kit too and was wondering the same thing.

A very nice salesperson at the place I ordered from let me know that even though its not an ideal solution, you could get a regular CPL, mount it on the lens, then mount the Lee kit to the front of the CPL.

That is what I will be doing at least, and if it proves not to work well or to be too much of a hassle only then will I opt for the expensive 105mm Lee CPL.

Of course hopefully someone with some actual direct experience doing this either way will chime in and know a better answer.

 

[Mike K]

Consider the Lee square polarizer (4x4). one can rotate the entire filter holder, its just a single filter. Folks that use it with GND don't even bother rotating it, as it works fine without that optimization. From the Lee site:

Square Glass Polariser - Circular

100mm x 100mmTo be used in the Filter Holder. The entire holder is then rotated to achieve the correct effect. Recommended for situations when only the Polariser and possibly Standard Filters are to be used.

 

[Tim Devine]

Marumi and Sigma are probably the "cheapest" of the known brands out there for 105mm ring filters. If you are using a wide angle lee adapter, putting a filter between the lens and the adapter is tough since it's a real challenge getting the filter unmounted form the holder due to it being recessed.

-Tim

 

[Mike K]

Here are some threads describing the use of the Lee square polarizer.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1004300&highlight=lee+polarizer

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=883069&highlight=lee+polarizer

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/905367/0?keyword=lee,polarizer#9066643

 

[th3_n3wb13]

I remember reading a thread somewhere not to get the 4x4 polarizer since they are linear based. I really don't know the difference so I can't comment much.

 

[Mike K]

The B&H listing shows it to be glass CP.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/216637-REG/LEE_Filters_PLC_G_4x4_Circular_Polarizer_Glass.html

also note a very high user recommendation

 

[th3_n3wb13]

Just noticed that it's a circular polarizer too.

I just don't know if the ND grad that is mounted on the Lee foundation kit holder will stay in place if I start rotating the 4x4 square polarizer.

Thanks!

 

[gavin]

I just use a B+W CPL along with the Lee adapter. Just need to be careful on vignetting. As some has pointed out CPL have to be made of glass.

--

What camera do I have? I rather you look at my photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinz

 

[Mike K]

I just don't know if the ND grad that is mounted on the Lee foundation kit holder will stay in place if I start rotating the 4x4 square polarizer.

Read the threads I referenced above, they talk first hand about its use. If your using a GND you don't want to rotate the holder, so you take out the polarizer, turn in 90 degrees and put it back in. This works well for those with this polarizer. I think that is also why the B&H customer reviewers like it, its fairly simple and can easily be used in combination with other ND and GND Lee/Cokin/Singh Ray/Hitech filters.
Mike K