Cokin filters vs other brand

[ArcticShooter]

I was so unlucky to lose my filter wallet.
I mainly had grey graduation filters and some regular CPL's in it.

So all that I have left is the Cokin filter holder (P type)
I'll have to buy some new filters and adapter rings.

After doing a search on Ebay I found filters made in China:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-filter-set-P-style-filter-ND2-ND4-ND8-for-Cokin_W0QQitemZ140253222937QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3004 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just curious but have someone tried out others brands that will fit into the Cokin P Filter holder?

[ArcticShooter]

I looked at BH and found out that Tiffen, Singh-Ray and Lee filters will fit into the Cokin P holder.
So I guess it is a matter of price and quality.
According to the price I think I'll just continue with buying Cokin.

[erding]

Suggest you look at HiTech which fit into the Cokin P and have no colour cast compared to the Cokin

Tom

[Tareq]

I was going to buy LEE GND filters, but then i went with HiTech, really it is high quality brand as well, i am so happy with it, the only downside is that the filter is not made from glass, so easy to break as i dropped them few times and always some scratches to the side of filter occur.

[ArcticShooter]

I was going to buy LEE GND filters, but then i went with HiTech, really it is high quality brand as well, i am so happy with it, the only downside is that the filter is not made from glass, so easy to break as i dropped them few times and always some scratches to the side of filter occur.

I am a little confused here!
Wouldn't a glass filter be easier to break?
And a plexiglass or whatever they use just get scratches?

When I find money in the jar I will get the expensive brands.
But I guess you get what you're paying for? (most of the time)

[argyle]

I am a little confused here!
Wouldn't a glass filter be easier to break?
And a plexiglass or whatever they use just get scratches?

Lee and Hitech GND filters are made from the same grade and type of resin material, the major difference being that the Lees are 4x6 while the Hitechs are 4x5. The Lees are also the slightest bit thicker than the Hitechs, but I don't have any problems using my Hitechs in the Lee holder. I also believe the Singh Ray filters are also made from resin. The only glass GND's that I'm aware of are made by Tiffen, IIRC.

The resin filters are pretty forgiving in that they do not break easily. Like any other filter, they can scratch. Minor scratches will not have any effect on image quality. I've dropped a few here and there in the darkness over time and have yet to have one break. Be careful with them, handle them by the edges, and they should last you quite a while.

The Hitech filters are a good choice...excellent filter, moderately priced. I doubt very much that anyone can tell the difference between images taken with a Hitech, Lee, or SR filter.

[buddy toy]

So, Lee, Cokin, HiTech all are interchangeable? You can use any of the filters in any of the other holders? Are all holders the same?

[ArcticShooter]

Yes it looks like. It seems like the length and tickness may vary a fraction

[argyle]

Are all holders the same?

No. Similar, but not the same. The Cokin P holder has fixed slots and cannot be adjusted...you'll always have three slots in front of your lens. The Cokin Z-Pro and the Lee Foundation Kit holders have three slots each and both are convertible (slots can be removed if not needed). The Z-Pro is a bit more prone to vignetting than the Lee holder. TBH, the Lee holder is just simply a better design...and I have used both holders at one time or another...sold the Z-Pro and kept the Lee. For the minor additional cost (about $15), the Lee holder is the better option.

[Tareq]

No. Similar, but not the same. The Cokin P holder has fixed slots and cannot be adjusted...you'll always have three slots in front of your lens. The Cokin Z-Pro and the Lee Foundation Kit holders have three slots each and both are convertible (slots can be removed if not needed). The Z-Pro is a bit more prone to vignetting than the Lee holder. TBH, the Lee holder is just simply a better design...and I have used both holders at one time or another...sold the Z-Pro and kept the Lee. For the minor additional cost (about $15), the Lee holder is the better option.

I have Z-pro holder, but it seems i was doubt that LEE can't be better, but your reply making me to decide to replace my Z-pro with LEE holder.

[Wilt]

Ever since I bought a number Cokins and kept them in filter sleeves (not in the original Cokin plastic cases) and they all suffered from surface abrasion just from rubbing against the filter sleeve while inside the camera bag, I threw them away and never looked back!