Lee Filters ProGlass IRND

LEE FILTERS has an excellent reputation among photographers and offers a vast range of longexposure filters that can be used to turn fast-flowing rivers silky smooth, iron out waves to create tranquil seascapes or give clouds a sense of movement in a scene. The company’s Stopper filters are hugely popular, but they struggle to offer perfect neutrality.

As the name suggests, Lee Filters ProGlass IRNDs are a premium version of the company’s Stopper filters and deliver neutral results with virtually no colour shift. Thorough testing revealed they’re less prone to vignetting and effectively block infrared and ultraviolet pollution, creating a faithful look to images, with highly accurate colour. They are available for Lee’s three filter systems – Seven5 (75x90mm), 100mm (100x100mm) and SW150 (150x150mm), in no fewer than six densities ranging from 0.6ND (2-stop) to 4.5ND (15-stop).

The way they deliver neutral results with no colour shift or vignetting is very well received, and the fact there’s no infrared pollution means colours are represented vibrantly, which isn’t always the case with all high- density ND filters. Anyone who regularly uses ND filters to shoot at fast apertures in bright light, or those who require one of the finest-performing long- exposure filters, will be thoroughly impressed by the quality of the ProGlass IRNDs. All that’s left to say is that we envisage them finding a permanent place in many photographers’ kit bags, and they’re thoroughly deserving of this year’s Accessory of the Year award.