Cokin Z-Pro Filter holder review and modification for wide angle lenses

mattmorgan44 wrote in post #14838752
I will do it tonight! I have a feeling the above modification will allow the filters to sit closer than Lee's kit but we'll see

Any update on this?

mattmorgan44 wrote in post #14838752
I will do it tonight! I have a feeling the above modification will allow the filters to sit closer than Lee's kit but we'll see

Hi, how did you go with the Lee's kit? I have just started learning about using filters but after three weeks of reading, I have a dilemma about which filter holders to use. I am planning to use a Singh-ray LB warming polarizer with couple of Lee ND filters. Would like to know if you have any experience with which filters holder suits best.
I am from Melbourne, decide it is best to order from overseas to save some costs. I understand you have ordered a Lee kit from UK company, what is your experience if you don't mind to share.

can I just confirm the main problem that you had with vignetting using the Cokin Z-series holder was because you were using it on a full frame EOS 5D at a wide angle? I have been looking into getting the Z-series to use on the canon EOS 7D with a Tokina 12-24mm UWA but want to make sure it is going to be a good investment. Great thread btw - really useful for a filter novice! Is it possible to just reverse the z-series holder and fit it onto the adapter ring with only one slot usable to hold a full ND filter? Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Great thread and relevant to my current dilemma.....how to avoid paying another $300 for a drop in Circular Polarizer for a Z - Pro holder!

The biggest problem in using a screw in polarizer behind a Z-Pro is the fact that it is fiddly to a) firstly set the CPL then b) whilst holding the CPL with adaptor ring in place adjust the GND's in the Z-pro.......hmmmmmmmmmm! doable but fiddly.

Root Cause...friction!

Increase the friction , and increase the force needed to move the polarizer once the Z- Pro is on. In other words increase the force required to move the CPL and adaptor ring to below that required to adjust the angle of the Z Pro???????

Answer costs a few cents and is not buy a drop in.......

Buy some 3mm wide rubber bands in the size that fits your CPL, the flat ones, and with the adaptor ring attached to the CPL, fit them over the circumference of the CPL making sure they straddle the two rotating plates of the CPL, and they fit flat against the surface..........resul​t = force required to adjust CPL increases due to increased friction of the two plates and the band.

Now you can adjust the Cpl to whatever suits, then realign the Z_pro holder with GND's with a lot less "fiddly" than before because the CPL and adaptor ring stays where you left it.....no need for small fingers etc.....the stronger the band the more friction.

Alternative = Pay more money for more kit!!!!!!!!!

Hope this helps!

Works great with Hoya 82mm and 77 mm HD CPL's ( they have notched plate rims) so assume other brands will do same

Great thread; it's really frustrating to try to figure out wide angle filter solutions!

One thing I'm considering; wondering if anyone else has tried. Thinking of getting a 77-82mm step-up ring, then just getting 82mm screw-ins filters. I currently have the Cokin P system, which not only vignetts horribly at 24mm, as has been pointed out, but is cumbersome. I'm afraid that I'll find the 100mm systems like Lee or Cokin Z-Pro even worse.

I'm hoping that I could use a 82mm CPL and one 82mm ND with this. Has anyone else tried a solution like this?