Lee ND grads are losing color

 

<p>I have two Lee ND Grad filter sets (hard and soft edge, 03/06/09 each). After a year of flawless work they're loosing density, i.e. the 09 filter for example is only 06, or in other words I have to combine 09 and 03 to come close to 09 densitiy. The loss of density is different from filter to filter, but ALL filters show this effect. I store 3 filters in a Lee filter wrap (1 filter per compartment) and each wrap in a Lee pouch, so I think I stored them properly. They're exposed to light only for a few minutes while composing and shooting.<br /> Interestingly, I had the same effect with an identical LEE filter set about two years ago (which were replaced by Lee). Now these replacement filters show the same loss of density.</p>

<p>I contacted Lee again and they told me that the filters do lose some color over time, but surely not with filters one or two years old. Although they will re-dye or replace the filters again, I don’t want to repeat this procedure every two years or so.</p>

<p>From your experience, have you experienced a similar behaviour with ND grad filters from other manufacturers (Singh Ray, HiTech, Tiffen, others...)?<br /> Any input will be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thank you,<br /> Friedemann</p>

<p><em>PS. I wasn't sure which was the right forum for this question, so I've posted it in two other forums too.</em></p>

 

Friedemann,<br>I noticed something similar with Sinar filters (i don't know who made them - could have been Lee). They came in a paper envelope inside a plastic sleeve, with a window cut in the paper to show what filter it is. I have seen quite a few Sinar filters that have that window 'imprinted' on them by selective fading. Not just ND grads, but also colour grads and colour filters.<br><br>I'm not sure what caused that, do also suspect some outgassing from the sleeve or other interaction with the material the filters are stored in.<br><br>Perhaps it would be better if we would indeed consider filters 'consumables', and expect to replace them every now and again?

<p>I have a set of Hitechs that are a few years old and coming to the end of their useful lives. I just tested these and found that they were pretty much spot on- well not enough out to give me a reading half a stop more or less than they should be. They're stored in a Lee pouch- so similar to you. It may be significant here in that both Lee and HiTech were set up in similar timeframes by people who came out of a division of Kodak, and they've often shared problems over the years- for example different dye batches creating colour casts and so on.</p>

<p>I presume you measured yours when you got them ( as I do) Its not unknown for new filters to be a little out too, though I've had much more of an issue with colour casts than I have with inaccurate ND factors.</p>

<p>I treat ND filters as consumables as QG suggests. The main reason for that is scratching which I may be able to avoid if I treated them better, but I don't pretend that a filter is definitively in its pouch or on the camera or that I don't leave a filter on the camera in my bag occasionally. So I guess what I'm saying is that if Hitech promised to replace my filters free every couple of years, that would save me a lot. I certainly would not be looking to change brands to avoid the problem.</p>

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<p>Q.G. and David, thank you for your answers.<br /> Yes, I measured every filter when I got them and they were all spot on. I measured them a few weeks ago and the 09 grads lost about 1 stop, the 06 grads lost about 1/2, roughly.<br /> Considering the filters as consumables is fine with me, as long as the manufacturer agrees with this procedure. Otherwise, replacing grad filters every 2 years (as I have experienced it so far) at my own expense will be a bit too costly for me...<br /> I'm just curious if ND grads from other manufacturers doen't show this loss of color/density.</p>

<p>Friedmann,<br>

Thanks for posting this most interesting issue, as it had to be brought to my attention this way, and I have just done my own tests with my, .06, and .09 Lee hard grads. Interestingly enough because of my intermittent method of shooting, my Lee hard grads are about 7 years old and they have lost equally 1 stop each. I'm getting 2 stops for the .09, that should be 3 stops, and 1 stop for the .06, that should be 2 stops. You have referred to a time frame of loss, at about 2 years, and mine is at about 7 years. Could it be that the loss goes to a certain point, then discontinues? Not that makes any difference, the loss is a loss, but its interesting that in my case, 7 year old filters only lost 1 stop. My filters are kept in the dark in the provided pouch, and I have cleaned them from time to time. Exposure to light is the obvious culprit, I wonder if cleaning them contributes to the loss also.</p>

<p>Friedemann, Sorry, I wanted to get the spelling of your name correct.</p>