Cokin Filter System

[Patrick]

Hi Everyone

I am thinking about investing into the Cokin filter system or similar .

A series
P series
Z series

P series seems to me the ones to go for.

Camera is a 40D, with lenses covering 17mm through to 300mm the largest filter thread size being 82mm (I am planning on the purchase of a Sigma 10-20mm). Despite being an experienced photographer I have never investigated square filter systems, I have always used screw on filters, so know little or nothing about them.

Advise would be welcome.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Cokin Filter System

Hi Everyone

I am thinking about investing into the Cokin filter system or similar .

A series
P series
Z series

P series seems to me the ones to go for.

Camera is a 40D, with lenses covering 17mm through to 300mm the largest filter thread size being 82mm (I am planning on the purchase of a Sigma 10-20mm). Despite being an experienced photographer I have never investigated square filter systems, I have always used screw on filters, so know little or nothing about them.

Advise would be welcome.

Patrick

My main concern would be the possibility of some vignetting with the super wide angle lenses. I'd agree about the P series, and no doubt you would be able to test any issues before buying.

I was never that impressed with the cokin filter range, I simply felt they were plasticky, and I heard that the ND grads were not true Neutral Density. Not sure how much truth there is in that. Anyway I went for the Lee filters, though they are hellish expensive

[Patrick]

Re: Cokin Filter System

My main concern would be the possibility of some vignetting with the super wide angle lenses. I'd agree about the P series, and no doubt you would be able to test any issues before buying.

I was never that impressed with the cokin filter range, I simply felt they were plasticky, and I heard that the ND grads were not true Neutral Density. Not sure how much truth there is in that. Anyway I went for the Lee filters, though they are hellish expensive

[veggiesosage]

Re: Cokin Filter System

The standard holder will vignette on a lens with less than 22mm equiv focal length if I remember rightly. However you can get a wide angle holder which I've used ok with my 10-20mm Siggy at its widest.

It only holds one filter at a time tho.

[Patrick]

Re: Cokin Filter System

The standard holder will vignette on a lens with less than 22mm equiv focal length if I remember rightly. However you can get a wide angle holder which I've used ok with my 10-20mm Siggy at its widest.

It only holds one filter at a time tho.

Hi

Thanks for that, you confirm much what I have researched, not worried about being only able to use one filter.
Think I will go for the Cokin or Kood, Lee filters look good but if I spend that sort of money on a filter system and the new lens, coupled with the fact I bought a new net book a few weeks ago and had the 10D converted to IR there would be a divorce in the household.

Patrick

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Cokin Filter System

I have a Cokin system that I use on the film camera, mainly ND Grads. But when it comes to digital I keep asking myself if there is any real benifit to be gained from filters when I can reproduce the results in PhotoShop (or quite often even easier in Picassa)

What are you really after producing? Is it a final image or a RAW image

It would be nice to have some comparative images posted, so we can see if there is a difference that can be detected.

Maybe that's an idea for a challenge

[Patrick]

Re: Cokin Filter System

I have a Cokin system that I use on the film camera, mainly ND Grads. But when it comes to digital I keep asking myself if there is any real benifit to be gained from filters when I can reproduce the results in PhotoShop (or quite often even easier in Picassa)

What are you really after producing? Is it a final image or a RAW image

It would be nice to have some comparative images posted, so we can see if there is a difference that can be detected.

Maybe that's an idea for a challenge

HI

I have in the past on my Canon 10D (before it was converted to IR) used a graduated screw on filter (it is too small for my current lenses and is destined to go on eBay) this held back the sky by a couple of stops and prevented them burning out under a number of conditions, also I want one or two ND filters as I wish to experiment with very long exposures, which when there is a lot of light about can be difficult.
As to Cokins other filters, I agree it can all be done in Photoshop.

Patrick

PS I only ever shoot in RAW , in fact on the 40D I have the duplicate JPG file option switched off, so I have the space on the memory card for a few more RAW images.

[veggiesosage]

Re: Cokin Filter System

Polarisers are nigh on impossible to reproduce in software too.

[Patrick]

Re: Cokin Filter System

Polarisers are nigh on impossible to reproduce in software too.

Yes thats another filter I may invest in.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Cokin Filter System

I have a Cokin system that I use on the film camera, mainly ND Grads. But when it comes to digital I keep asking myself if there is any real benifit to be gained from filters when I can reproduce the results in PhotoShop (or quite often even easier in Picassa)

What are you really after producing? Is it a final image or a RAW image

It would be nice to have some comparative images posted, so we can see if there is a difference that can be detected.

Maybe that's an idea for a challenge

Graham, you seem to be suggesting that whether you use an ND Grad or do it in Photoshop, its difficult to tell the difference. With your examples I'd have to agree with you. However, surely its about more than that. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that its also about exposure control. No need to expose for highlights etc. No having to pull back shadow area after the event. Less need for any bracketing, esp using Raw.

There are some issues of whether to have a Hard or Soft ND Grad, or if the horizon is not clear cut like a deep valley then they may be less effective. Generally though I have had some great results with mine. The biggest problem for me is that I don't always carry them and when I do they are a bloomin faff to play with. This is a shot I used my Lee ND Grads for and I was pleased with the result

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Cokin Filter System

Graham, you seem to be suggesting that whether you use an ND Grad or do it in Photoshop, its difficult to tell the difference. With your examples I'd have to agree with you. However, surely its about more than that. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that its also about exposure control. No need to expose for highlights etc. No having to pull back shadow area after the event. Less need for any bracketing, esp using Raw.

These are some of the real advantages of using ND grads, which I utilise when I use them on the film camera. What works with film generally works for digital as well. However...

There are some issues of whether to have a Hard or Soft ND Grad

This is where I have noticed that my filter seems less effective and I believe that a harder ND is required.

This is a shot I used my Lee ND Grads for and I was pleased with the result

Now that really is a super shot and one that justifies all the "faffing about"

[Ian]

Re: Cokin Filter System

The standard holder will vignette on a lens with less than 22mm equiv focal length if I remember rightly. However you can get a wide angle holder which I've used ok with my 10-20mm Siggy at its widest.

It only holds one filter at a time tho.

I have the P-series wide angle holder and it does not vignette at all with my widest lens that can take it (9-18mm Zuiko Digital - 18-36mm equivalent). You can make it vignette in two diagonally opposite corners if you turn the holder by 45 degrees, though. No problem for me as I always us filter squares straight.

In fact I only use ND graduated filters using the Cokin holder, and only one at a time, so not being able to sandwich extra filters is not a problem for me.

I have the P.121 (ND8 grad) and the P.121M (ND4 grad). I have no complaints about the optical quality or neutrality of these filters.

The holder is a bit plasticky and I'm sure Lee or other systems are better built, but as the filters are optically fine, I can't really justify the extra expense of a more up-market holder. I have filter adapters from 58mm up to 77mm. The 9-18 uses a 72mm adapter.

I think the 16mm equivalent view of the Canon EF-S 10-22mm will just about work OK with the same wide angle holder, but your best bet is to try it on at a stockist and check for yourself. Use the LCD screen as only a few SLRs have a 100% coverage viewfinder.

Ian