Lee Big Stopper - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

09/14/2015 06:02:46 PM · #1

Our 2 year American adventure is about to come to an end, and we're preparing for our Return To Australia Tour. Part of the journey, will hopefully include a stay in Iceland, and I was looking at POSSIBLY getting a Lee Big Stopper for use there.

A couple of questions for the DPC Collective.

1. Is the Lee Filter system worth the premium that it seems to be associated with its products? There seem to be cheaper alternative, however, reading the forums has me confused as to whether Lee Filters are worth the price difference (some say yes, other say no).
2. Does anyone have any examples of very long exposure images WITH ND filters (Lee Big Stopper and/or others)?

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/14/2015 06:26:17 PM · #2

I bought into the Lee Filter system a few years ago. Not the cheapest I agree but I like it and at 100x150mm your ND grad can also become an ND filter.

Things may have changed but there used to be a good 12 month waiting list for the Lee Big stopper, I ended up getting the B&W equivalent.

Had a quick look in my portfolio and here are a couple of shots using the 10 stopper.

Oh, whilst waiting for the Lee Filter kit 10 stopper I tried a screwin 10 stopper - did the same job but a pain to use when changing viewpoint/fl.

HalldorIngi

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/14/2015 07:20:03 PM · #3

Bought the new SW150 Mark II system for my 14-24 and the little stopper, I like it a lot but have no comparison exept for my old 10 stop ND wich was not wery good.

You can check

Otto22 profile, he use's the big stopper a lot.

Also if you are coming here to Iceland you should check a store named Beco, they often have Lee in stock even if nobody else does.

Message edited by author 2015-09-14 19:22:35.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/14/2015 08:23:08 PM · #4

Thanks. Looks like Lee Big Stoppers are in stock here. Hoping to get it before starting the tour... make the most of our time seeing the sights, rather than shopping for hardware.

I had look at

Otto22's portfolio before posting my OP... knew he used something, just wasn't sure if it was the Big Stopper or something else.

Cuttooth

Canon EOS R

09/14/2015 10:23:21 PM · #5

A bought a screw on 10-stop filter about 5 years ago and comparing it to the Lee big stopper filter system, I decided I couldn't really afford the investment into the Lee system. The B+W 10 stop I have has worked fine for me but I can't give an opinion between the two since I've never used the Lee system. I have used the Cokin Z-pro system and for me, it seems like more of a hassle when interchanging things while shooting different exposures of the same scene.

My long exposure ablum on Flickr.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/16/2015 06:19:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by Cuttooth:

Wonderful images. I have a screw-on variable ND filter for one of my lenses, and have never been happy with the results. So, am considering a Lee Filter type setup, or one of the non-variable ND 10-stop screw-on filters.

Really appreciate the info and examples.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

09/16/2015 07:17:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by vlado:

Originally posted by Cuttooth:
A bought a screw on 10-stop filter about 5 years ago and comparing it to the Lee big stopper filter system, I decided I couldn't really afford the investment into the Lee system. The B+W 10 stop I have has worked fine for me but I can't give an opinion between the two since I've never used the Lee system. I have used the Cokin Z-pro system and for me, it seems like more of a hassle when interchanging things while shooting different exposures of the same scene.

My long exposure ablum on Flickr.

Wonderful images. I have a screw-on variable ND filter for one of my lenses, and have never been happy with the results. So, am considering a Lee Filter type setup, or one of the non-variable ND 10-stop screw-on filters.

Really appreciate the info and examples.

Which one do you have? I have a Hoya non variable ND, and a inexpensive variable one, and although you can't do MAX on the variable, I think it's pretty good.

I bought //www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085IXB3C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I shot it with my D600 and D7100 with my wide angle lenses and my 24-70 f2.8 and didn't see anything that worried me.

Sample shot: //images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/10000-14999/12253/orig/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_1112583.jpg

Message edited by author 2015-09-16 19:19:52.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

09/16/2015 07:50:12 PM · #8

I have a stopper.

I really like it. It fits the top of any wine bottle perfectly! Has a rubber gasket and everything.

I can send photos, if you want them.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/16/2015 08:15:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by Neil:

Originally posted by vlado:

Originally posted by Cuttooth:
A bought a screw on 10-stop filter about 5 years ago and comparing it to the Lee big stopper filter system, I decided I couldn't really afford the investment into the Lee system. The B+W 10 stop I have has worked fine for me but I can't give an opinion between the two since I've never used the Lee system. I have used the Cokin Z-pro system and for me, it seems like more of a hassle when interchanging things while shooting different exposures of the same scene.

My long exposure ablum on Flickr.

Wonderful images. I have a screw-on variable ND filter for one of my lenses, and have never been happy with the results. So, am considering a Lee Filter type setup, or one of the non-variable ND 10-stop screw-on filters.

Really appreciate the info and examples.

Which one do you have? I have a Hoya non variable ND, and a inexpensive variable one, and although you can't do MAX on the variable, I think it's pretty good.

Inca Variable ND Filter - have issues with vignetting unless the two lenses are perfectly aligned... and at MAX, even if aligned. Wasn't cheap... and I can only use it on my 67mm lens.

Originally posted by Neil:

I bought //www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085IXB3C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I shot it with my D600 and D7100 with my wide angle lenses and my 24-70 f2.8 and didn't see anything that worried me.

Sample shot: //images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/10000-14999/12253/orig/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_1112583.jpg

Think the Lee Filter system (or similar) would be better, and the adapter rings cheaper than buying new set of filters for every lens I want to use the filters with.

daisydavid

Canon EOS-5DS R

09/17/2015 09:11:37 AM · #10

I got the big stopper plus a range of graduated filters 100 x 150. I use a 77mm hitech filter holder. Once you have them the results are stellar, the effort is still cumbersome. Totally worth it because the sense of accomplishment outweighs the effort needed. It's not the money or the technical margins of different systems, it is about the photography.