Which Cokin filters ?

so ive been wanting to get a P series filter holder and 72mm and 77mm filter adapters for my camera, but Im confused on which filters to get. Ive narrowed my choices down to a GND tobacco and regular GND.


So for the tobacco GND. Which one? the P 125 T2 or P 125S? The difference being the latter is "soft". I understand that the graduation is soft. But im not sure which one suits my needs. I guess im not understanding exactly the differences.
Here is the link for the P 125 T2 :
http://www.cokin.com …filtres/filtre-125st.html

Links for P 125 S (soft)
http://www.cokin.com …iltres/filtre-125Sst.html


Also which GND to get? Im assuming the standard is grey. But which one? There are about 6? Listed below. What are the differences? Am I right if I understand that the ND8 or ND4 refers to the amount of stops lost?
120 / 121 121 L / 121 M / 121 S / 121 F

Hints tips and suggestions welcome. thank you

Why do you want the "tobacco" grad?
"Soft" or "hard" grads will affect, in conjunction with your f/stop, how sharp the cutoff zone is at transition. If you have a crisp, straight horizon, a hard grad will work best; if there's a lot of relief/trees/vertical action, a soft will let the details on the whatevers come through a little more, while darkening the sky nicely.

Standard for grads is ND, which should be grey. Cokins are reportedly not a neutral grey, so may induce a distinct colour cast when in use. I believe they're referring to the fraction of the light they're letting through - an ND 4 would let 1/4 the light through, for 2 stops while an ND8 would let 1/8 the light for 3 stops. Unfortunately there are at least 3 ways of describing ND filters: by log density (0.3=1 stop), by stops (1=1 stop, 2=2 stops, etc.), and by fraction of the light passed through (2=1 stop, 4=2 stop, 8=3 stop).

Jon, I like the color effect the tobacco filter produces. Any comment suggestion?

Yes, I also read that cokin grads are not completely nuetral.

A lot of people reccomend just using PP.

Just a conceptual difficulty I have with brown skies, is all. If that's your thing, go for it.

I personally use Singh Ray 2 and 3 stop grads. I'd rather take the time up front to get it down than fussing with the post-processing, which will take longer. There are things I'd rather be doing than sitting hunched in front of my computer tweaking a highlight.

But when you use one, always use your DoF preview - wide open you won't really see where the transition will fall; stopped down you will.

ahh makes sense. So how do you use your Sing Ray GND filters? DO you use a Cokin P-eries holder or what?

Yes, I have a P-series holder and a battery of adapter rings. I haven't (yet) cut off the front set of guides for use with my wider lenses, but that's waiting for me to get motivated. I've been known to just hold them in front of my 15-30 (which is the one that needs the holder trimmed) on occasion.

Just a word of experience...Be prepared to care for your Cokin filters METICUOUSLY, putting them away carefully in a holder which does not touch the surface of the filters! I bought some Cokins many years ago, and in using them in the field I fell victim to the temptation of not being so meticulous and time consuming in putting them safely away, etc. It took NO TIME for my Cokins to have their surfaces abraded enough to really deteriorate optical quality. Part of the problem is that I had put them into generic filter envelopes which rubbed against the filter's flat surfaces, abrading them. I had to throw them out after a relatively short period (I didn't buy replacements because I found that I didn't find them that useful.)

Get 2 Cokin P holders..
Modify one for wide angle shots and keep one as it is..

I would say stay away fron Cokin GND.. I went for Hitech from 2filter or B&H (am still waiting for them though) .. I got a 2 stop soft and a 3 stop hard,, this is just the start..
Everyone has been recommending Singh Ray filters, but I can't justify the price and am not sure until now how much would I be using these filters.. If I found myself using them alot I may get the Singh Rays in the future..

By the way Singh Ray makes their filters in Cokin P and Lee size.. Most people go for the COkin P since Lee holders cost a fortune..

U may wanna go through this link :
http://www.bythom.com/​filters.htm

Ok, so get the cokin P-holders. and use either singhray or hitech glass.

btw, why modify one holder for wide angle?

The Cokin P holders will hold up to 3 filters at once; this means they stick out a tad more than you might want, causign some vignetting on your widest lenses. IF you saw off the outer set or two of guides, you'll reduce the vignetting.