Lee 85mm Neutral Density Graduated Filter (Soft Edge)

Lee 85mm Neutral Density Graduated Filter (Soft Edge)

Lee Filters 85mm Neutral Density Graduated Filter in Soft Edge for the 85 system. The 85 filter system is composed of filters 85 x 115mm in size.

Designed specifically for the hugely popular ‘mirrorless’ camera market, the Lee 85 System is a new holder and filters to provide a more compact and portable range. Many users were frustrated by the fact that the Lee Seven5 System was too small and unsuitable for some lenses and the Lee 100 System would be too big, despite it’s adaptability.

The Lee 85 system with it’s more compact holder, rings and filters of 85 x 90mm size, 85 x 115mm, now provides the portability and versatility without the bulk.

The most indispensable filter in any landscape photographer’s kit, the Neutral Density Graduated is an essential accessory. Lee 85mm Neutral Density Grads are distinctive because of the noticeable shading to one half of the filter. Designed to be used so that the photographer can balance out the exposure between a bright sky and a dark foreground, like the ground for example. Or in seascapes where the sky can be overcast and featureless yet causes a big difference in the exposure value with the dark sea. Utilising the grad allows the exposure to be balanced between the two zones.

Though a mainstay of film photography, they have really come into their own with digital. Early digital sensors had a limited dynamic range and though much improved, ND Grads have provided a much needed level of fine exposure control. Plus using a filter during exposure is much easier than attempting to adjust the image post-processing.

Available in a number of different exposure reducing strengths and different degrees of gradations meaning many options and possibilities for photographers. There is nothing simpler than being able to hold up a filter to the scene and pre-visualize the effect prior to use. Allowing for changes and adaptation accordingly to setting, weather, time of day, etc. It really allows for much needed confirmation.

Lee Filters manufacture three different types of 85 graduated filters, plus the distinctive Reverse Grad series.

There is no hard and fast rules about which filters to use for what scene as this is entirely down to the scene, conditions and personal shooting style.

They are available as:

Soft Edge – A soft transition with a noticeable and gradual change from the dark area to clear. Ideally suited for landscapes.

Medium Edge – Providing a slighty greater degree of transition than the Soft Edge

Hard Edge – A much more noticeable difference between the graduated and clear zone. For situations like seascapes where the horizon line is sharply delineated.

All three grad filters are available in 3 filter densities;

ND0.3 ( 1 Stop )

ND0.6 ( 2 Stop )

ND0.9 ( 3 Stop )

The 85 Graduated filters are 85 x 115mm in size and 2mm in thickness. Each filter is supplied with a soft padded pouch.

• 85 x 115mm Filter Size
• Suitable for any system that accepts a 85mm wide filter
• Highest Quality Optical Resin
• Completely Neutral – No unwanted colour cast
• Available in ND0.3, ND0.6, ND0.9
• Supplied with Soft Storage Pouch
• Also made for Lee Seven 5 System, Lee 100, Lee SW150 and by special request for Cokin X-Pro