screw on filters vs. cokin filters

[on388]

I was wandering what would be a better investment to buy the Cokin filters that can be used with multiple lenses or the filters that screw on. Is the quality any better for the screw on filters than the Cokin filters or do the people just want to buy the screw filters for every size lens they have.

[rootrider]

I have filters for 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, and 77mm. I'll likely add 39mm soon, and possibly 72mm (if I break down and buy the 35-70 2.. I get the most use out of the 67mm and 77mm filters (ie. my mid-range and telephoto zooms). The only reason I'd use a Cokin system is for their Graduated ND filters since they're so much more adjustable than a typical round filter.

The problem with a cokin filter system is that in order to buy one setup for all of your lenses you'll need to buy the largest one. This would be horribly cumbersome on say the 50mm 1.8. It also gets rid of your ability to use most lens hoods. Oh, and you can't buy B+W and Singh-Ray for a Cokin system

Obviously there are advantages to using either system. The best thing to do would probably be to pick up a good Cokin setup that will cover your less used filters for multiple lenses, and then your more common filters can be purchased for each lens in the screw-in form. I have circular polarizers on my lenses almost all of the time. They're definitely expensive, but I also don't have to move my filters in between lenses.

[clickmepp]

I would recommend Cokin System for Grad ND. Screw filter for Protection and CP. Regarding Solid ND it is upto you, but Cokin system will be fine to stack more than 1 filter without Vigneting...

[jfrancho]

I use the Cokin P holder, but I do not recommend Cokin filters anymore. Their Grad Gray filters are not neutral and add a slight cast to the image. I recommend Lee's or Hitech filters. They make 85mm filters to fit the the Cokin holder, or you can buy their holder.

[clickmepp]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I use the Cokin P holder, I recommend Lee's or Hitech filters. They make 85mm filters to fit the the Cokin holder, or you can buy their holder.

Yes...Hitech Filters are beter than Cokin..I heared Hitech belong to Lee ..Pls correct me if I am wrong...You will be fine with Cokin P standared and Wide Holders with Hitech filters from Camera Filters The Filter Connection 2filter.com for Hoya Digital filters, Hoya Pro 1, Tiffen 4x4 Camera Filters, B+W filters and Canon Inks for better price and good service

[jfrancho]

Those are good prices. I'll keep them in mind.

[Tom Swaman]

I have used Lee Gel Filters for years as I have not liked Cokin Filters.

Frankly, while on the subject of filters, I would like any information on the quality of Hoya Filters, please. When I started in photography we used Tiffen, B + W, Schott and Zeiss filters. Then Tiffen filters became sketchy in quality and lots of reported artifacts resulted. Today, there are few Schott and Zeiss filters available for cameras and Hoya Filters seem to have become ubiquitous. How is their quality??

Thanks,
Tom

[Thunderhawk]

Ok, I have been using the cokin for a bit now and like it. But I`m not married to it. Could you guys give me a more precise rundown as to why I should drop the Cokins and go for the Lee`s?

Thanks for your input.

[jfrancho]

ND filters? - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Color cast is the issue. it turns out Coking "neutral gray" are not neutral.

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

ND filters? - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Color cast is the issue. it turns out Coking "neutral gray" are not neutral.

I have read that statement many times on several internet sites. However I have never seen a posted image that demonstrates the issue. I have a Cokin ND grad filter that I use occassionally with film. I have not seen any suggestion of a color cast.

Cheers/Mike

P.S. John, it is Cokin, not Coking.

[jfrancho]

I ran a test on it, and there was a slight cast. I still use one of my .6 soft grad Cokins, with no issue. There used to be images demonstrating the issue in that thread, but not anymore (long gone). All that remains are my corrections to Niel's raw file.

[Thunderhawk]

So far the only complaint that I have is that they are getting scratch in those plastic carriers that they come in. It has not shone up in the picks yet. But with the admitidly crappy kit lens that I have, it could be there and I would not be able to see it.

Do the Lees have better carriers?

[jfrancho]

Jay (Worm324) uses Zip lock sandwich baggies to store his. I haven't had any issue with the plastic cokin boxes.

[rootrider]

Originally Posted by Tom Swaman

Frankly, while on the subject of filters, I would like any information on the quality of Hoya Filters, please. When I started in photography we used Tiffen, B + W, Schott and Zeiss filters. Then Tiffen filters became sketchy in quality and lots of reported artifacts resulted. Today, there are few Schott and Zeiss filters available for cameras and Hoya Filters seem to have become ubiquitous. How is their quality??

Hoya HMC filters are fine. I've been using a non-HMC Hoya CP for a while... it works well but has issues with flairing and ghosting at times.

[Thunderhawk]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Jay (Worm324) uses Zip lock sandwich baggies to store his. I haven't had any issue with the plastic cokin boxes.

That seems like a good idea.

[R. House]

I have Cokin grad gray filters and didn't use them much because of the color cast, especially using Velvia 50 which gave a strong magenta cast. When I started using digital I tried them because I could get instant feedback on their effect. First thing I noticed was...Very little
color cast! My thoughts are that the white ballance is adjusting and minimizing the color cast.
You do not have to buy the largest holders for cokin filters, the "P" system will easely cover 77mm. As mentioned, probably the worst reason to use cokin is for the ND Grads, especially for film. Cokin also makes hoods which work well and you can order Singh-Ray filters for the "P" system. The holders and filters are not horribly cumbersome, although if you have a front mount that turns during focusing or zooming it will be an inconvience due to disorientation of the holder.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by on388

I was wandering what would be a better investment to buy the Cokin filters that can be used with multiple lenses or the filters that screw on. Is the quality any better for the screw on filters than the Cokin filters or do the people just want to buy the screw filters for every size lens they have.

I have and use both. There are some filters available by Cokin that I like to use for certain things like their Grad ND's ...

For other things I like other brands and such. I try to keep to the 77mm size for the most part as the common size for much of my glass. (Nik)

Julio