LEE Filter System or Singh-Ray Vari-n-duo/trio

[SUSOM]

I am stuck on this decision, but need to move quickly. I am looking to make a move into a high quality filter system, but I am just stuck on which one to go with. I really like the LEE Foundation Kit holder system, for its versatility. However, the with the Sing-Ray Vari-n-Duo or Vari-n-Trio you get 2 or 3 filters in one. I.e. a 8 stop variable ND filter and Circular Polarizer, and with the Trio you add a color enhancement filter.

The variable ND on the Sing-Ray is very appealing, as it cuts out the need for multiple ND filters to cover an 8 to 10 stop range, and would result in a significant cost savings. However, there is no holder for the use of other filters. The Singh-Ray also has some issues with vignetting at a lower threshold than the LEE system.

The LEE system offers great flexibility across my 77mm and 82mm filter size lenses (i.e. 24-70, 70-200, 16-35 and 50).

The LEE system appears to be newer, and selling like hot cakes, whereas the Singh-Ray looks to be more established and I can find lots of great landscape photographers that use and swear by this system.

[jerryph]

Go Lee. Maximum filter size (I think) is 77. That said, I own a Singh- Ray Vari-ND and love it. With the exception of 1 lens, all of mine are 77mm or less.

[SUSOM]

I wound up going both routes. $?$?$

The LEE system is such a hit right now that you can't get hardly any of the things you want. I'm now on a 4-6 month waiting list for a Big Stopper, and also waiting on a couple of adapters, and the Coral Grad set.

My lenses are 82, 77, and 72, so the LEE seemed to make a lot of sense at the end of the day. If I somehow manage to score a Big Stopper in the next 21 days, I will probably return the 77mm Vari-n-Trio I bought.