Neutral Density Filters - HELP !

[brad-man]

As you have supplied wonderful photos of Lees shoddy workmanship in the manufacturing of your filter system, could you please supply a photo that was ruined by this inferior system?

No? I didn't think so.

Some expect a bit more of the gear they with their hard earned money buy, I guess. Like something they come to expect from other manufacturers: deliver flawlessly when it comes to such things as basic chemical treatments to an adapter ring. Never had that from any other manufacturer.
Let's say it this way: If you buy a car and it already has markings on the finish and the window is a bit broken or you can't get some color finish off of it, then you take it home anyways without questioning that for a second? Really odd attitute I must say. What "show me your pics" has got to do with that, is beyond me...

I did send the ND glass back for a replacement. Fingers crossed...

Reading your post made me examine my one OEM Lee adapter and it also has the marks from anodizing. I would never have noticed them otherwise. I do not feel that they will effect the performance in any way. The adapters are, however, completely overpriced. If you decide to keep the system (which I would strongly recommend) you can purchase additional adapters of various sizes for different lenses from "the filter dude" on ebay for $25. They also have marks (as do all anodized products if you look closely enough) but no "worse" than Lees.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/the.filter.dude/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
I have never needed to use Lees warranty, but have never heard any complaints, so I'm sure they will send you a new filter.

 

[PikkieChick]

Hi Everyone - thankyou for all of your help and comments, very helpful. As I travel, ALOT, the Lee filter system isn't possible. Would be lovely, but not possible. I've got a B+W Polariser already and have opted for hi end Hoya screw in filters, 3 and 6 stop. Will play with these for a bit and when I stop travelling might get a lore permanent system ! Fun times ahead !

 

[kaihp]

If you don't want to spend all that cash for the Lee system, I can recommend the Tiffen ND filter kit:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674667-REG/Tiffen_82NDK3_82mm_Digital_Neutral_Density.html

It's worked well for me for a couple of years now and the filters stack fine on their own or with my B+W XS-PRO C-PL, which is usually what I stack them with. Here are some sample shots from another ND filter thread:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=16796.msg414553#msg414553

Alas, I cannot recommend Tiffen's ND0.9 filters as it reduces the contrast quite a lot.

Bryan Carnathan found the same thing in his 10-stop ND filter test

 

[M_S]

Got my replacement adapter ring from my dealer. Great service btw: Calumet. From all the adapters I got, this looks ok. Still has those marks on either side, but not some specles or material damage as the other ones.

The ND pro glass looks ok too now, no yellow specles. I will look at that a bit closer when I have time.

So far I have then:
* W/A adapter ring
* CPL adapter ring
* filter folder
* ND 0.9 por glass

Next will be either another ND 0.9, a little stopper or a big stopper. Haven't found any realiable info about color casts about the higher ND ones.
Finally after that some soft grades an I am done.