Lee Seven5 Big Stopper

Made out of high-quality optical glass, the Lee 75x90mm Seven5 Big Stopper is a long-exposure ND filter designed to reduce the amount of light entering the lens by up to 10 f-stops. By greatly extending exposure times the Seven5 Big Stopper has the effect of allowing anything that is moving in your image to become blurred or ghost-like (E.G. clouds, water, etc.). However, the effect is not ...

Lee Seven5 Big Stopper: Key Features

• 10-stop 75x90mm ND filter
• Made from high-quality optical glass
• Seven5 - suitable for Compact System Cameras
• Compatible with Lee Seven5 Filter Holder
• Allows the use of slower shutter speeds
• Ideal for landscape photography
• Creates a smooth blurred effect in the water and clouds
• Lee Seven5 Filter Holder required
• Lee Seven5 Adaptor Ring required (check your lens' thread size)

Why use a Big Stopper?

By greatly extending exposure times the Big Stopper blurs anything that is moving in your image, for example clouds, waterfalls, rivers, and the sea. The filter can also be used on cityscapes to blur people or on roads and motorways to blur traffic.

Before (without the Big Stopper)

After (without the Big Stopper)

Seven5 System Overview:

1. Ultimate take-everywhere filter set-up for users of Compact System Cameras
2. Light, portable and perfect for street photography and general picture-taking on-the-go
3. Lee Filters Seven5 Micro Filter System is compatible with LEE's 75x90mm filter range
4. Simply select the correct adaptor ring for your lens thread, screw it onto the lens, snap on the filter holder and drop in the appropriate filter

The filters for the Seven5 system are manufactured to the same standards as those for the renowned 100mm system. Handmade in a way that meets the company’s exacting quality control in colour and optical flatness, products in the LEE Filters range have become the benchmark by which other systems are judged, and are the indispensable tools of many photographic professionals worldwide.

The Seven5 filters are not just cut down versions of the LEE 100mm System. In keeping with the smaller size the gradation zones have been adjusted to suit the smaller system. These changes have been made through extensive testing in conjunction with top landscape photographers.

How to use the Lee Big Stopper

1. Before fitting the Big Stopper, first compose your image.
2. Take a meter reading without the filter in place, and set your desired aperture and shutter speed.
3. Multiply your exposure by a factor of ten. For example, if your meter reading suggests an exposure of 1/125sec at f/11, with the Big Stopper fitted, your exposure becomes eight seconds at f/11. If your meter reading suggests an exposure of two seconds at f/11, with the Big Stopper fitted, your exposure becomes a whopping 32 minutes.
4. With the Big Stopper inserted into the slot nearest the lens, attach the filter holder as usual and make your exposure.
5. Always use the sturdiest tripod you can when making long exposures, and take care not to knock the camera or tripod. Cover your viewfinder before releasing the shutter to avoid light encroaching onto the sensor or film and causing flare.

How to use a Stopper with Jonathan Chritchley

In this video fine art photographer Jonathan Chritchley demonstrates how to get the most from your Stopper filters. Features practical tips and creative inspiration for anyone exploring long exposure photography. He demonstrates the Big & Little Stopper but the techniques and advice are also applicable to the Super Stopper.

Lee Seven5 Micro Filter System

Professional hints: Combining a Stopper with other filters

All the Stopper filters can be used in conjunction with other filters such as Neutral Density Graduated Filters. This gives an even greater level of control and creative possibilities.

Keep the Stopper closest to the lens

Other filters should be set up and positioned in the filter holder as normal before using the Stopper filter. Remember to keep the slot nearest the camera free for the Stopper. Ensure the foam seal is facing the backplate to prevent light getting behind the filter and causing flare.

Lee Big Stopper Product Video