Singh-Ray LB ColorCombo Filter Review
With the LB ColorCombo, Singh-Ray puts the power of two filters into one. The ColorCombo includes a polarizer that is designed to control reflections from sunlight with a color intensifying filter that increases color saturation. The LB ColorCombo filter is perfect for any outdoor application and particularly helpful for landscape photographers. The combination of polarizer and color intensifying filter works to make colors more natural—reds, browns, greens and blues see particular improvement while using the LB ColorCombo.
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Reducing unwanted reflections combined with an increase in color saturation and intensity makes images taken with the Singh-Ray ColorCombo appear sharper, crisper and all around more visually appealing. If you find that most of your outdoor images (particularly landscapes) appear bland, it might be time to invest in the LB ColorCombo.
“I use a number of filters and I have to say this Singh-Ray LB ColorCombo Filter has become one of my favorites. Singh-Ray has continued to raise the bar in filter technology over and over again. It’s no surprise why Pro photographers prefer this filter over others on the market.” – Alex Schult
The combination of two filters in one represents the merger of a well-known photography tip and a modern landscape shooter’s best kept secret. For years, photographers have turned to polarizers to reduce reflections in images, adding sharpness and a crisp “pop” that can really make an image stand out under the correct conditions. A polarizer is extremely helpful if you are interested in shooting landscapes that include water. A polarizer can help balance reflections from the water, helping you see beneath it creating additional points of visual interest.
Caption: This image is a good example of polarizer use. Without the polarizer, unwanted reflections would have washed out the underwater foreground of the image. A polarizer helps you see beneath the water. Image used from Alex Schult
The ColorCombo also works to increase color intensity. The before and after image below is a good example of increased color intensity:
Caption: Both of these images were shot with available light on a Nikon D800 using a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. Both images were shot with the same settings (ISO 100 | 38mm | f/20 | 1/10 sec). A color intensifying filter was used for the image on the right; no filter was used for the image on the left.
The Singh-Ray LB ColorCombo is available in a number of sizes ranging from 52mm to 105mm. It is offered in a slim profile that will reduce the chance of vignetting on super wide angle lenses. Adding the ColorCombo blocks 1-2 stops of incoming light, so a slower shutter speed or faster aperture is necessary to take the same image without a ColorCombo filter. Even though some incoming light is blocked, pure whites in images are retained while using the filter.
The LB ColorCombo is a must-have addition to any photographer’s camera bag. There are certain situations where it will dramatically improve your ability to take quality images. While similar color saturation effects can be applied in post processing software, there is no real match for manipulation of incoming light. Sometimes the best way to do things is the old fashioned way—by adjusting the light entering the camera instead of relying on computer software to make corrections later.
Landscape and outdoor photographers have the most to benefit by purchasing an LB ColorCombo. For many photographers who shoot outdoors, polarizers and color intensifiers rarely ever come off their lens.
Photo copyright PhotographyTalk member Alex Schult