Lee SW150 ND Graduated Filter Set (Soft Edge)

Lee SW150 ND Graduated Filter Set (Soft Edge)

The Lee SW150 ND Graduated Filter Set ( Soft Edge), combines the ND0.3, ND0.6 and ND0.9 filters at a substantially reduced price compared to individual filters. The 1 Stop, 2 Stop and 3 Stop filters provide a core selection of densities for any landscape photographer.

The SW150 filter system is suited to medium format, large format and extreme lenses like ultra wides, ultra wide zooms and shift lenses.

The most indispensable filter in any landscape photographer’s kit, the Neutral Density Graduated is an essential accessory. 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 four different types of 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.

Very Hard Edge – For the experienced user, the Very Hard Edge has the sharpest transition

The SW150 Graduated filters are 150 x 170mm in size and 2mm in thickness. Each filter is supplied with a soft filter wrap.