Filter holders...Lee vs. Cokin?

[Bill634]

I've been thinking about buying a filter holder/adpapter ring system in order to take advanatge of the rectangular variable neutral density filters offered by Singh-Ray and other companies. I've noticed that both Cokin and Lee offer holders and rings but the Lee offerings are many times more expensive than the Cokin models. Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these two in terms of quality etc? The Cokin P series holders are quite inexpensive but I'm wondering how flimsy they might be. I woulld't try to save money on the actual filters themselves but on the other hand the Lee holders seem overpriced. Anyone?

[jcothron]

I haven't used the recent series of the Cokin system, although I did have one of theirs from years ago. When researching I felt like Lee had better options specifically in regard to using on wide angle lenses. Cokin has a wide angle mount but if I remember correctly it only allows one filter to be used. Lee has wide angle rings in popular sizes that still allows multiple filters if you need it. I also like the fact that the Lee GND filters are 6" long and cant be used in most cases as a true ND but using just one end (at least the hard edge versions).

[Trixster!]

I use the Cokin wide angle holder and haven't had any issues with it yet. The filters are cheap but seem to do the job.

[Bill634]

Am I right to assume that the Cokin holders can be used with other brands of filters? The filter widths are more or less standardized aren't they?

[Anke]

A friend and I have both lost Lee Filter holders off the end of our cameras, mine into a river and his out of a helicopter. They are made, in my opinion, very poorly.

I made a thread on it here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=606609).

[Jon]

Right, rectangular filter widths are standard. They're nominally 3" and 4" for the commonest sizes.

I don't think I'd use any rectangular filter holder (or snap/bayonet on lens hood) when shooting from a helicopter or aircraft, either out the window or out the door.; only if I were inside the "glass". The wind/prop wash/downwash will do a number on either. Give me a nice, solid, screw-on filter or hood there.

[argyle]

A friend and I have both lost Lee Filter holders off the end of our cameras, mine into a river and his out of a helicopter. They are made, in my opinion, very poorly.

I made a thread on it here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=606609).

The only way for the Lee holder to break loose from the adapter ring is if you snag or catch it on something (or drop it out of a helicopter). I've had mine on tripods that were extended over the lip of canyons and other precarious perches...never came loose or fell off. Also, by having it come loose if you catch it or snag it, you'll avoid causing any damage to the lens or lens mount as would probably be the case if the holder had been entirely rigid. I just can't see how carelessness on the part of the user can translate into "made very poorly".

OP: There is no comparison between the P-holders and the Lee filter holder...two entirely different animals. The Cokin P has three fixed slots, meaning that you cannot add or remove slots. Also, you'd need a second P-holder for use with wide angle lenses...either the wide angle P-holder or another standard P-holder that has had two slots cut off (which means that you'd need to carry two holders along). The Lee holder is entirely adjustable...you can add/remove slots as necessary and don't have a need for a second holder. They're more expensive than the Cokin P for obvious reasons...they're bigger and incorporate brass mounting hardware. The Lee wide angle adapter ring is a unique design that actually allows the entire holder to sit about 4mm further back on the lens, thereby avoiding vignetting (even with an ultrawide). The only Cokin holder that's somewhat comparable to the Lee is the larger Z-Pro holder. Unfortunately, this has several design flaws that relegate it to "also ran" status. Bearing in mind that the Z-Pro is only about $15 or so cheaper than the Lee, and considering the advantages of the Lee, the Lee becomes the better choice between it and the Z-Pro. The Lee holder will use any 4" (100mm) filter...you're not committed to using only Lee filters.

[mäger]

i'd say Cokin z-pro holder is better, but cokin plastic filters get fogged up easily. + using multiple plastic filters wont give very good results?

best choice is probably Cokin z-pro holder + singh-ray filters?

[Lowner]

I agree with mager, the Cokin holder is a much better design than the Lee version which is badly conceived and waaaay over engineered.

No ones forcing us to use Lee filters with Lee holders.

[jdizzle]

i'd say Cokin z-pro holder is better, but cokin plastic filters get fogged up easily. + using multiple plastic filters wont give very good results?

best choice is probably Cokin z-pro holder + singh-ray filters?
I actually like the Lee filter holders over the Cokin. I did a comparison when I requested to see both at B&H a long time ago. Between the two, I feel the Lee is much more durable while the Cokin felt cheap to me( this is my own opinion). I've owned my filter holders for quite some time now and it's held up quite a bit. The simplicity in design make the Lee holder a winner. :) I use an array of Lee filter and Singh Ray and it hasn't disappointed me yet. Although, if you want to save money, I would go with Hitech.

[Mike K]

In general the Cokin P is smaller and built for 84mm wide filters. It is generally thinner and very good for lens threads up to 77mm. I cut off the outer two slots, still leaving 2, to make the holder thinner so that it would be less likely to vignette if I ever wanted to stack it on top of a CP.

If you ever get a lens with 82mm threads ( such as Canon 16-35 II, Zeiss 21 ZE, Canon 24 TSE II) you will want to get the Lee or Cokin Z size holders which are for filter gels of 100mm (4") width. While the P size holder may come with an 82mm lens adapter, it will very likely vignette as these lenses have a very wide FOV. The Lee filter holder has a line of lens adapters for wide angle lenses, and while still fitting on to the rear of the adapter, places the lens threads deep into the hole of the adapter to reduce the effective depth and gets the lens closer to the filters. Lee also sells shorter screws to facilitate removal of some of the filter slots. However with a bit of creativity I have done nearly the same thing with a Cokin Z filter holder, by removing the rear slot and placing the lens adapter in the front its like the Lee WA adapter.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/873972/0?keyword=cokin,z#8199860

In general I find the Lee and Cokin Z to be much larger and more difficult to store in my bag, thus some of my motivation to make the package more compact. On the Miranda General Gear forum most there seemed to favor the design of the Lee over the Cokin.

Of course these holders will take filters from Cokin, Lee, Hitech, Formatt, Singh Ray and others. I use the Hitech GND and ND.
Mike K

[mäger]

I actually like the Lee filter holders over the Cokin. I did a comparison when I requested to see both at B&H a long time ago. Between the two, I feel the Lee is much more durable while the Cokin felt cheap to me( this is my own opinion). I've owned my filter holders for quite some time now and it's held up quite a bit. The simplicity in design make the Lee holder a winner. :) I use an array of Lee filter and Singh Ray and it hasn't disappointed me yet. Although, if you want to save money, I would go with Hitech.
coking z-pro vs lee? or p holder?

how does Hitech(cool name, huh?) sell it's stuff if there's no pictures of it's products on the website?

[jdizzle]

coking z-pro vs lee? or p holder?

how does Hitech(cool name, huh?) sell it's stuff if there's no pictures of it's products on the website?

By asking those questions, which one do you want? :) Lee or Cokin? I say Lee but, if you want Cokin get the Z. :) Hitech makes good filters at a reasonable cost. The Hitechs measure 4x5 and the Lee's measure 4x6.

[mäger]

i meant which one did you use for comparison vs lee. p holder is cheaper than z-pro

[jcothron]

i meant which one did you use for comparison vs lee. p holder is cheaper than z-pro

It's cheaper, but is meant for a totally different size filter. (85mm vs. 100). The most direct comparison between Cokin and Lee is with the Z-pro and I'm betting that's what Julian looked at.

[argyle]

i'd say Cokin z-pro holder is better, but cokin plastic filters get fogged up easily. + using multiple plastic filters wont give very good results?

best choice is probably Cokin z-pro holder + singh-ray filters?

I'm not sure what you're basing these conclusions on. Hitech, Lee, and Singh-Ray filters are all made from optical grade polyester resin (not simply 'plastic'). No problems at all using more than one filter...

As far as filter holders go, I'm with the others that use the Lee foundation kit. I tried the Z-Pro initially but gave it up for what I consider poor functionality issues (such as the inability to use the first filter slot closest to the lens, among others) and as I described in my previous post in this thread. Others may disagree and prefer the Cokin. And others have simply 'lost' their Lee holders due to user error and blame the design. There are plenty of threads on this topic (much like the filter/no filter debate). Get what you're comfortable with...simple as that.

[Lowner]

argyle,

Not sure I understand why you were unable to use the Cokin slot closest to the lens? I can use any slot in the holder on any of my lenses. Are you referring to an ultra wide angle lens with a very convex front element?

I am very lazy however and often just hold a GND in front of the lens.