Filters and Holders

[joeyprice]

Is there a sticky or FAQ thread that somebody has put together regarding filters and holders? Not what they do, I'm looking more for info about the kits and systems-specifically ND and CPL's. I'm afraid my searches turn up mainly 'post your.....' threads.

Thanks
Joe

[argyle]

There are plenty of threads, much like the 24-70/24-105 topic. Just do a search for 'GND', 'Lee', 'Cokin', 'Hitech', etc and you'll probably get a case of information overload.

Basically, three popular types of filter holders:

Cokin P (85mm, or P-sized filters; square or rectangular)
Cokin Z-Pro (100mm filters; square or rectangular)
Lee Foundation Kit (100mm filters; square or rectangular)

Your question seems a bit vague, though. Not really sure what you're asking...

[joeyprice]

Your question seems a bit vague, though. Not really sure what you're asking...

I guess the question is vague because I'm starting at ground zero and am not really sure what I should be asking to begin with. I was hoping to find a FAQ type thread that would address things like square vs. rectangle. Do they all screw onto the end of the lens and have adapter rings so you don't have to buy a CPL for every size lens? Will brand A square filters fit in brand B holders - really general things to help me get started.

[argyle]

I guess the question is vague because I'm starting at ground zero and am not really sure what I should be asking to begin with. I was hoping to find a FAQ type thread that would address things like square vs. rectangle. Do they all screw onto the end of the lens and have adapter rings so you don't have to buy a CPL for every size lens? Will brand A square filters fit in brand B holders - really general things to help me get started.

As far as square/rectangular filters go, Brand A will fit into Brand B's holder provided that we're talking apples and oranges. Cokin, Hitech, Lee, and Singh-Ray all make filters in P size (84mm wide) and all will fit in a Cokin P-sized holder. Likewise, they all make the larger 100mm width filters which will fit in either the Cokin Z-Pro or Lee Foundation Kit holder.

Typical uses for the holders are with GND (graduated neutral density), ND (neutral density), and some 'specialty' polarizers (4x4 square, 105mm round). The holders attach to your lens by means of an adapter ring that's sized to match the filter threads on the lens barrel. With several different sized adapter rings, you can use the same filters and holder with a variety of lenses.

As far as basic circular polarizers go, I personally like to have a basic one for each filter diameter that I have. If that's not feasible, you could by a CPL to match your largest diameter lens, then use a series of step-up rings that will allow you to use the filter on lenses with smaller filter diameters (ie a 55/77 step up ring will let you use a 77mm filter on a 55mm diameter lens).

Here's a good link on filters and their uses...you only need to be concerned with the CPL, GND, and ND filters as far as digital goes (I didn't mention UV filter for a good reason :D )

Thom Hogan on Filters (http://www.bythom.com/filters.htm)