Filter Order - GND or Polarizing Filter Closest to Lens

[Eric James]

I'm have recently invested in the Lee filter system for their 100X150mm rectangular filters - specifically their GND filters. I have a lot invested in screw-in polarizing filters and would like to avoid the purchase of a 105mm polarizer. Can you enlighten me as to the ideal order for the placement of a graduated neutral density filter and a polarizing filter? Should the polarizer be furthest from the outer lens element, as with the Lee 105mm approach, or should the polarizing filter be closest to the lens? Thanks for your input.

[Ben Chase]

I have an 82mm Polarizer and here is what I do:

Lens -> Step-up Ring -> Polarizer -> Lee Wide Angle Adapter -> Foundation Holder -> GND

I had read in a few places that it is best to have the polarizer closest to the lens, but I don't recall the reason behind this or if it is even valid or not.

[Diane Maher]

I think I usually put the polarizer closest to the lens in the holder too. I use Lee filters and have used the Lee polarizer (the square one) with both types of filters, GND or ND.

[Joe O'Hara]

I suggest you take your ND grads and look through them through the polarizer. Rotate
the polarizer, if you don't see any bands or colors, you'll be fine. You get in trouble
if your other filters polarize the light slightly-- that will interact with your polarizer.
BTW I don't see any problem using my Lee ND grads or 81-series resin filters together with a linear polarizer.

[Eric James]

Thank you all for your input!