Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

[AndyA]

It looks like I have a lot to learn when using the Lee filters and manual mode on my camera. My pics taken today turned out cr*p and I'll admit that I'm disappointed with the end results. It was quite windy out there this afternoon, I was using my flimsy, faulty tripod (I know, I will get a proper one), and I'm thinking that this combination along with a fairly slow shutter speed (1/20 & 1/30) has beaten me. Oh, I'm now also quite sure that I shouldn't have played with the darker ND filter on a dull day either! I'm hoping that it's a combination of the above and not bad filters (although the .9 looks a bit odd).

I won't post the full res images (they're extremely soft), but I'm posting the 1500 px (now re-sized to 1024 px by flickr). I've used auto contrast and high-pass filter in PS to sharpen them slightly.

Any advice will be gratefully received!


Castle Howard Lake by Andy Aveyard, on Flickr

I think I used the .9 ND filter with this one
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/22.0
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM


IMG_7710-1500 by Andy Aveyard, on Flickr

Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)


IMG_7720-1500 by Andy Aveyard, on Flickr

Exposure 0.05 sec (1/20)

============================================

These two have been tweaked with Machinery Effects 2 (just messing around)


IMG_7710-1500-ME2 by Andy Aveyard, on Flickr


IMG_7720-1500-ME2 by Andy Aveyard, on Flickr

[digiman]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

I don't know anything about filters I'm afraid, so can't help there. But I can say that I quite like number 2, and i think the processed version looks good too. Maybe pull the exposure back a little in the processing of the clouds, but otherwise very nice.

[AndyA]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Cheers. I think I'd better get myself a tripod before I jump to any conclusions.

[antoeknee]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Andy think you'll find benefit easier to see in better weather where there is greater contrast between the sky/ground.

Think trickiest part is getting filter line to be correct place in the frame and stopping down the lens (DOF preview) should help and avoids strange transition in the sky (filter too high) or strange shadow on foreground (filter too low).

IIRC basic technique to determine exposure, meter for sky and ground separately and check difference 2 or 3 stops not unusual. Set manual exposure for ground, drop in required filter/s and adjust position. I found this a good starting point.

Would have though on such dull day the .9 (3 stop) might have been too much.

[antoeknee]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Also quick peek at histogram might help determine overall exposure

[colin C]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Compose the shot with the sky filling the viewfinder and take a meter reading and note what it is.
Compose the shot with the foreground filling the viewfinder and take a meter reading and note what it is.
Note how many stops difference there are between the two and fit the appropriate grad filter - .3 for 1 stop, .6 for 2 stops and .9 for three stops. Use combinations if ever 4, 5 or 6 stops are needed.
Using Manual exposure, use the setting you had for the foreground and take the shot.

Actually, there is no reason why you couldn't use one of the auto modes, because now that the light has been balanced with the grads, the exposure will be correct.

[AndyA]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Thanks very much Antony and Colin. I did try the metering as suggested and used manual mode, although I got carried away with trying out the .9 after just 1 shot with the .6. I was more shocked with the image softness, I didn't expect it to be as bad as it was. My initial thought was 'have I bought some duff filters', but I'm hoping it's a combination of user error, wind and tripod. :o

[antoeknee]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Suspect it's largely tripod/wind issue.

One other thing to bear in mind that whilst its normal to stop down for a good DOF this can make the transition of the filter more obvious.

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

but I'm hoping it's a combination of user error, wind and tripod. :o

flatulence can be an issue ....

I really like the trees in these images.

[AndyA]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Actually, there is no reason why you couldn't use one of the auto modes, because now that the light has been balanced with the grads, the exposure will be correct.

Now that's a good idea, that should eliminate some user error. :)

A good point Antony. I watched a bit of video on YouTube last night and it mentioned staying around the f/8 - f/11 mark. I was at f/22 which I thought would be OK?

[Alan Campbell]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Andy I would recommend the Lee filters book INSPIRING PROFESSIONALS £10

http://issuu.com/leefilters/docs/inspiring-professionals-08/14

Also INSPIRING PROFESSIONALS 2 £12.50

http://issuu.com/leefilters/docs/02-inspiring-02/20

Do you meter before placing the filter in the holder.
Do you use mirror lock up.

Alan

[AndyA]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Alan, I metered as mentioned in the earlier posts. Metered for the ground and for the sky. I don't use mirror lock up.

I've just been out in the garden and used the gorillapod, there's no wind tonight either. I used the 10 sec timer and made sure that there wasn't any movement. I'm still producing soft images at f/11, although not as bad as at f/22.

Tonight's example, f/11, focused on the red flowers.

100% crop http://i.imgur.com/W4M6sE2.jpg

[AndyA]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Folks, I've been back in contact with the lady who I bought the filters from and explained the IQ problems etc, she very kindly offered to exchange the filters with another set that she had. Unfortunately they too, didn't look quite as they should.

The filters have been unused and kept in storage, but somehow they've warped a little and lost some of their flat shape. The lady's husband, had a look inside the white cloth pouches that the filters were kept in and some of the colour from the graduation had leached into the cloth. The lady is going to get in contact with Lee about this.

Luckily for me, I was dealing with a decent person and she's given me a full refund.

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Castle Howard lake and Strensall Common - Lee Filter test

Luckily for me, I was dealing with a decent person and she's given me a full refund.

Nice to hear that there are still some genuine and honest people out there.