I'm wanting to buy a cokin filter holder, and graduated ND filters. I know the Cokin filters are a lot cheaper. Is there a bad reason for this or would they be a wise purchase? This would be my first time using them. Thanks in advance for all feedback.
Raymond
Posted by Paul DeCesare on February 21, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Raymond, most people on here use Lee or Singh-Ray because of the quality. The $99 Singh-Ray 3-stop Hard ND Grad I use is just wonderful, no ruining the image. True, Cokin are cheaper, but I want the best filter in front of my expensive lens as possible. This may start an argument, but for that reason I never use UV "protection" filters. $20 in glass in front of a $1200 lens makes no sense to me.
You can start out with a Cokin, they're REAL cheap on Ebay. See how you like working with an ND grad. I bought the Cokin filter holder on Ebay for under $20 with shipping. I did get the 3-slot, but you can't use it on a 17mm lens with a FF sensor, you see the holder on the sides of the image. I then got the 1-slot holder, much better. Some people saw down the 3-slot holder to make it work with wide-angle. BTW, many people hand-hold them, I do sometimes, all depends. If you have only a minute or two to grab an unexpected sky, there may be no time to set up your holder, but hand-holding introduces fingertips sometimes! You can move it around though, to soften the division line on the horizon.
Lastly, a tip: it's easier to see the grad line in your viewfinder if you push in your depth of field button. Have fun!
Posted by James Hersey on February 21, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I like the Cokin holder for my ND. I don’t use a Cokin ND I chose Singh-Ray. I like a longer filter that allows me more adjustment in the positioning of the gradient.
Posted by Robert Fisher on February 21, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Some people feel the Cokin grads aren't truly neutral and impart a colour cast onto the photos. Others think this is complete bunk.
Optically there's not a lot wrong with the Cokins. They do scratch easily; however, because of the type of plastic they're made with. A nice step up from Cokin, a very good filter and less expensive than Singh-Ray is HiTech. They're rectangular rather than square so give more leeway to adjust than the Cokin. Very good optical quality, truly neutral and decently priced.
Posted by John Farmer on February 21, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Many people think the Cokin filters have an tint to them, so them are not true neutral. However, I have a good friend who is a pro shooter and she uses Cokin. I use Tiffen, generally the next step up between Cokin and the Singh-Ray and Lee filters.
Posted by Ian Cameron on February 22, 2009 at 10:15 AM
I concur with Robert the Hi-tech filters are neutral, (Cokin most definitely isn't), which is very relevant for film users, they are around 2/3 the price of Lee and substantially less than Singh Ray. The holder system is better than Cokin's and is larger (upto a 100mm system as well as the more conventional 82mm one that will incidentally allow you to put Hi-tech filters in a Cokin holder). Cokin Pro system withstanding. In my opinion the Hi-tech holders (wide angle) are better than Lees, (less fiddly). The 100mm filters of Hi-tech will fit the lee holder but aren't such a tight fit (thinner filters) which means subtle adjustment with one hand is easier than Lees own filters in their own holder. Finally the Hi-tech and Lee filters and probably the Singh Ray are dipped filters not coated which means the colour is through the whole depth of the resin. Like all filters they are prone to scratching very minor ones can be got out with fluoride tooth paste (don't blame me if you put more scratches on there). Hi Tech will also make custom filters for you (or at least for me) at no extra cost namely 0.75ND and 0.45ND grads. There are offers on three for two sets of ND filters. Disadvantage it can take anything from next day to four weeks to receive your order. By the way I am not sponsored by them.
Posted by Ian Cameron on February 22, 2009 at 10:17 AM
For Hitech try www.formattfilters.co.uk
Posted by Benjamin Olson on February 23, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I have to disagree with Ian and Robert about the Hitech filters being neutral...... I had two 3-stop GNDs and a 4-stop ND from Hitech and they all caused a reddish/pinkish hue in my photos. I threw them away and purchase Singh Ray filters and the problem went away...... The Singh Ray filters are wonderful filters, I highly recommend them!
Posted by Paul DeCesare on February 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM
One thing for sure, if you reach a little and get the Singh-rays, you won't be disappointed. They just look great.
Discussion
8 repliesRaymond
You can start out with a Cokin, they're REAL cheap on Ebay. See how you like working with an ND grad. I bought the Cokin filter holder on Ebay for under $20 with shipping. I did get the 3-slot, but you can't use it on a 17mm lens with a FF sensor, you see the holder on the sides of the image. I then got the 1-slot holder, much better. Some people saw down the 3-slot holder to make it work with wide-angle. BTW, many people hand-hold them, I do sometimes, all depends. If you have only a minute or two to grab an unexpected sky, there may be no time to set up your holder, but hand-holding introduces fingertips sometimes! You can move it around though, to soften the division line on the horizon.
Lastly, a tip: it's easier to see the grad line in your viewfinder if you push in your depth of field button. Have fun!
Optically there's not a lot wrong with the Cokins. They do scratch easily; however, because of the type of plastic they're made with. A nice step up from Cokin, a very good filter and less expensive than Singh-Ray is HiTech. They're rectangular rather than square so give more leeway to adjust than the Cokin. Very good optical quality, truly neutral and decently priced.