Cokin or Lee filters?

[BOUNCINGNRG]

Hey All,

I'm looking at getting either the Cokin Z filters or Lee filter system.
I haven't had much experiance with either and wondering if people could share their views.

http://www.cokin.com/ico15/ico15-haut.html?=#z
http://www.leefilters.com/camera/products/range/ref:I46CBFACFBD385/

From what i understand the Cokin Z system will work for lens down to a focal length of 17mm? But i couldn't find the details on Lee systems, I see that there is wide angle adapter but i don't know if it would allow for a 14mm lens?

Any other things i should be taking into account?

Thanks
Mark

[Wilt]

Cokins are made of optical resin. That means that you MUST (have I emphasized that enough?!) be meticulous in putting the filter away in the plastic box it came in, because simple filter wallets subject the filters to surface abrasion simply in your camera bag! I ruined a whole set of Cokins by having them in a filter wallet with polyethelene pockets, abrading their surfaces in the pockets while stored.

[argyle]

Of the two you mentioned (Z-Pro and Lee), definitely get the Lee filter holder and the wide angle adapter ring. It will work on your lens just fine...when I was using my 10-22 and 30D, I never had any issues. I'm now using a 5D almost exclusively, and with the 17-40L the Lee holder works just fine. You don't say if you're using a 14mm lens on a crop camera or FF. If a crop, you should be fine. If its a FF camera, such as the 5D, you may experience some vignetting, depending on how many filter slots are installed in the holder. For example, with my 17-40L at 17mm and all three slots available in the Lee holder, I don't have any vignetting. I just can't go any lower than 17mm. With a single slot and 14mm lens on a FF, I couldn't venture a guess.

As far as the filter themselves go, I'd stay away from the Cokin line of GND's...they aren't really neutral and will leave a color cast on your image. I'd recommend the Hitech filters...excellent filter at a moderate price.

As far as the holders go, the Lee holder is much better design, and is only about $12 more expensive than the Z-Pro. For the money, the Lee is the way to go. The main advantage is that the Lee attaches to the adapter ring via a brass, spring-loaded clip. Very safe and secure. The Cokin Z uses three tiny plastic pins that must be pressed in and out to attach/remove the holder. These clips also block the filter slot that's closest to the lens. You can reverse them, but they're very easy to drop and lose when you're out in the field. Just not as convenient as the Lee method.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

Thanks for the info very informative, i was leaninf towards the lee as they do the starter kits.

Cheers

[eddie1]

Also check out Hi tech
have used them for years, cheaper than Lee, much better than Cokin
ed

www.ralphhodgson.co.uk

[Roadrunnr]

+1 on the HiTech filters

This is the setup that I have:
http://www.2filter.com/prices/Hitech_Z_package.html

Great place to buy online too!

[Lowner]

I'd like to put a word for the Cokin filters.

Yes, they are marketed as Grey Grads, not neutral density grads. But I have never seen a single colour caste on any of my images and I do use them a lot.

[Anke]

Also check out Hi tech
have used them for years, cheaper than Lee, much better than Cokin
ed

www.ralphhodgson.co.uk

+1 from me too, they are great.

[tumblew33d]

+1 for HiTech

[Tareq]

I have HiTech as well, great filters GND, even i didn't think to upgrade them to LEE or SinghRay.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

interesting, i've never heard of HiTech before, i have to give them a look, esp if they are that much cheaper than lee.

[Tareq]

interesting, i've never heard of HiTech before, i have to give them a look, esp if they are that much cheaper than lee.

You should, they are good high quality as well, so you will save some bucks with hitech over LEE, too bad i used them yesterday with my new LEE holder and the results were amazing but i didn't use memory card so all the shots disappeared, i will show you later if i can with those Hitech filters.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

You should, they are good high quality as well, so you will save some bucks with hitech over LEE, too bad i used them yesterday with my new LEE holder and the results were amazing but i didn't use memory card so all the shots disappeared, i will show you later if i can with those Hitech filters.
Guttered!!! I turn of my shoot with no memory card function. It be great to see some shots with the Hitech.

Cheers

[jdizzle]

I definitely recommend the Hitech filters to save a few bucks. They make a high quality product. If you want to go all out, I'd go Lee or Singh Ray. If you ask me, all these filters do the same thing. I own both Lee and Singh Ray and they definitely have a high standard of quality with their products. If you go with any of these brands, you can't go wrong.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

I've had a good look at the hitech, they seam really gooed, except, unless i'm missing something but you can only fit a max of 2 filters on the wideangle http://www.formatt.co.uk/stills-filters/hardware-100mm/mk4-aluminium-wide-angle.aspx

[argyle]

I've had a good look at the hitech, they seam really gooed, except, unless i'm missing something but you can only fit a max of 2 filters on the wideangle http://www.formatt.co.uk/stills-filters/hardware-100mm/mk4-aluminium-wide-angle.aspx

? The filter brand has nothing to do with how many filters you can fit on a holder. It all hinges on how many slots you have available on the holder. Do yourself a favor...get the Lee holder...its a little more expensive, but its well worth the extra cost in the long run.

[Tareq]

? The filter brand has nothing to do with how many filters you can fit on a holder. It all hinges on how many slots you have available on the holder. Do yourself a favor...get the Lee holder...its a little more expensive, but its well worth the extra cost in the long run.

+1
I have Cokin P-series, then i upgraded to Z-Pro and i ignored P-series completely, then i upgraded [or buy another one] to Lee holder, i found late that i did a mistake i didn't buy LEE from the beginning, the best holder.

[kevin_c]

I've had a good look at the hitech, they seam really gooed, except, unless i'm missing something but you can only fit a max of 2 filters on the wideangle http://www.formatt.co.uk/stills-filters/hardware-100mm/mk4-aluminium-wide-angle.aspx

Lee also recommend you only fit two runners on the holder if using the unit on UWA lenses - I assembled mine with just two as I mainly use it with my 10-22 and have had no noticable vignetting and have never used more than one filter anyway - make sure you get the (much more expensive) wide angle adaptor ring though.

I have the Lee ND grads but as others have said, the Hi-Tech ones are meant to be as good and slightly cheaper.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

? The filter brand has nothing to do with how many filters you can fit on a holder. It all hinges on how many slots you have available on the holder. Do yourself a favor...get the Lee holder...its a little more expensive, but its well worth the extra cost in the long run.

+1
I have Cokin P-series, then i upgraded to Z-Pro and i ignored P-series completely, then i upgraded [or buy another one] to Lee holder, i found late that i did a mistake i didn't buy LEE from the beginning, the best holder.

Lee also recommend you only fit two runners on the holder if using the unit on UWA lenses - I assembled mine with just two as I mainly use it with my 10-22 and have had no noticable vignetting and have never used more than one filter anyway - make sure you get the (much more expensive) wide angle adaptor ring though.

I have the Lee ND grads but as others have said, the Hi-Tech ones are meant to be as good and slightly cheaper.

Thanks, thanks and thanks.

Might be a silly question, with a lee holder could i use Hitech filters or does it have to be lee filters?

[argyle]

Thanks, thanks and thanks.

Might be a silly question, with a lee holder could i use Hitech filters or does it have to be lee filters?

No...you can use Hitech filters (or any other 4-inch wide filter for that matter).

[Tareq]

Thanks, thanks and thanks.

Might be a silly question, with a lee holder could i use Hitech filters or does it have to be lee filters?

I use LEE holder with HiTech 4x5 GND filters, working like a charm