GND filters... P or 4x6?

[danskim]

Is most of the reason people go with 4x6" drop ins because of vignetting problems?

I am in the market for some GNDs and such for landscapes, and I noticed that Z-pro/Lee sized 4x6" filters are considerably more expensive than the Cokin P size.

Lee makes P size GNDs in .3, .6 and .9 for $80, which is a very reasonable price..

http://www.adorama.com/CKBPPW.html

Would that product help alleviate some of the possibly vignetting associated with the smaller P filters?

[Mike R]

When you use a rectangular GND filter, you have greater positioning flexibility for the transition. Vignetting should not be a problem as the filters are wider than the lens. The screw in filters put the line in the middle of the filter and you cannot reposition up or down, seldom,if ever, would you want it in the center. The Cokin brand filter is not a "true" GND. I think they call it a gray grad.. I do not own one but while researching GND fitters before buying Shing - Ray brand. I read here on POTN that the Cokin may leave a color cast in the image. Which would need to be corrected when post processing. Others say that it is not noticeable.

[danskim]

Oh I understand about the Cokin brand filters.
But Lee makes their true GNDs to fit Cokin P (85mm). That is what I would buy to fit inside a Cokin P filter holder.

I guess that's what I'll go with since it seems to be pretty price efficient.

[Mike R]

Oh I understand about the Cokin brand filters.
But Lee makes their true GNDs to fit Cokin P (85mm). That is what I would buy to fit inside a Cokin P filter holder.

I guess that's what I'll go with since it seems to be pretty price efficient.

Going by what is said around here, You can't go wrong with LEE or Hitech and they are priced more resonable than others. Although there are Pros and Cons about all brands. My Shing-Ray GND were about $100 each.

[danskim]

I've also heard good things about the Signh Ray filters.
$100 is not bad. They also seem to have the Cokin P size GNDs.
Thanks.

[Mike R]

I've also heard good things about the Signh Ray filters.
$100 is not bad. They also seem to have the Cokin P size GNDs.
Thanks.

That's the size I use. They are a perfect fit. I think they are also longer than some brands.

[Linkzi]

I use the HITECH 4X5 filters with a Cokin Z-pro set up. Package deals at www.2filter.com

[danskim]

Mike R,
How wide would you say the P size filters are good enough for?
The Cokin P wide angle filter holder claims up to 20mm in a full frame context.
I use a 30D, and my widest lens is a 24-70L. I don't have any plans to get a wider lens, but I will probably go full frame in the future.

[danskim]

I see that the Hitech/Z-pro kits are $136.61 shipped. Seems like a good price. According to what I've read here at POTN, the Hitech filters seem to be almost/as good as Lee.
However, I've heard of some slow shipping times from 2filter.com.

[Linkzi]

I see that the Hitech/Z-pro kits are $136.61 shipped. Seems like a good price. According to what I've read here at POTN, the Hitech filters seem to be almost/as good as Lee.
However, I've heard of some slow shipping times from 2filter.com.

I did elect the free shipping so I think mine took about a week. If you can wait, it's a great deal.

[Mike R]

Mike R,
How wide would you say the P size filters are good enough for?
The Cokin P wide angle filter holder claims up to 20mm in a full frame context.
I use a 30D, and my widest lens is a 24-70L. I don't have any plans to get a wider lens, but I will probably go full frame in the future.

The P size filter is 84mm wide and the Shing Ray filters are 120mm long.I would say that as long as the filter dimensions are greater than the diameter of the lens,you would be OK.

[WorkingClassHero]

With the Cokin Z holder, can you stack filters? Seems from the description on the Hitech site that you can only load one at a time. Is that right?

[Linkzi]

Yes you can, but you must check for vignetting. I used the 3 filter holder side and stacked a HITECH .9 hard and a .6 soft GND mounted on a UV filter on my Canon 17-55mm with no vignetting.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u291/Linkzi/Beach/_MG_1913.jpg

[WorkingClassHero]

Great, thanks. I was going to get the lee filters from B&H, but since they're out of stock, I think I'll go with the Hitech and the Cokin Z holder.