Lee Filters SW150 Super Stopper

Lee Filters SW150 Super Stopper

Part of the ‘The Dark Treble’ of high density neutral density filters. With the huge success of the original Lee Big Stopper, Lee Filters then introduced the Lee Little Stopper, a 6 Stop ND Filter, which quickly proved to be highly popular. In 2017, the Lee Super Stopper was announced. A 15 stop ND filter of equal quality but designed for experienced users demanding an extreme level of light reduction.

Previously photographers had combined several ND filter together, but issues with unwanted colour casts due to the differing variations of glass, difficulties in accurately sealing multiple filters against light leakage and having to manage several glass filters easily in the field, meant that it was not an easy task. The Super Stopper was developed to offer a much easier, very high density, filter.

Like the Big Stopper and Little Stopper, it was created by using a specially formulated dye directly into the molten glass, instead of coating the glass.Careful attention to the glass manufacturing also meant that there was no loss of sharpness. The Lee Super Stopper is available for all the Lee filters systems of Seven5, Lee 85, Lee 100, and Sw150.

Use of Neutral Density filters has increased greatly in photography. Shooting in bright light is easy but sometimes the compromise of a ultra fast shutter speed and very slow aperture aren’t ideal. Shooting in bright light with a fast aperture to throw the background out of focus is only possible with a ND Filter. An ability to capture images of absolute stillness and ‘freeze action’ may suit many types of photography but it’s not the only interpretation.

In landscape photography, an image of flowing water stilled and frozen often looks unnatural and odd. Using a slower shutter speed allows the flow of the water to be to natural and a sense of movement is created. Extend this further to using high density ND filter and the mood of the scene can be changed completely. Scenes can take on a more ethereal and mysterious look.

Traditionally a 3 stop ND filter was the highest value available. However it wasn’t  enough, higher density filters like the Lee Stopper range came into their own, offering choice and flexibility.

With it’s high density 15 stop value, the Super Stopper allows adventurous photographers to dramatically reduce the light level even under very bright shooting conditions. When used for moving water, seascapes, clouds for example, it creates images that are dreamlike and ethereal.

All of the Lee Stopper Filters, whether for the Seven5, 85, 100 or SW150 are system filters meaning that they fit into a holder. What make this very useful compared to a screw in filter is in actual use in the field.

When setting up the shot, you would have to focus and compose with the filter removed.   Screwing on and off again a screw in filter can be tedious if having to check on focus or re-composing. AF is out of the question as the camera cannot focus with such low light levels. Setting up the camera on MF, the photographer would focus and ensure they are happy with the composition. Attempting this several times with a ND filter on and then off is far easier if using a slot-in filter.

When using the filter on a Lee SW150 Filter Holder, the Lee SW150 Light Shield has to be used to elimate light leakage and ‘fogging’ of the image. The Lee SW150 Light Shield is supplied with the Lee SW150 Filter Holder MKII. It can also be purchased separately.

The Lee SW150 Super Stopper is a tempered glass filter. It is 150 x 150mm in size and is 2mm thick. It’s supplied with a metal storage tin and has a useful crib sheet for exposure calculation. Also available is a Lee Filters App for smartphones.

https://apps.apple.com/app/id1105022698

Curious about the Lee Super Stopper? Look at the helpful video created by Lee Filters.

https://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/camera-resources