Cokin

Does anybody here use a Cokin systems? I want to buy a graduated filter (the only type of filters I'm planning to use), but, I wonder if getting a Cokin system is a better idea.

If you have Cokin, what filters do you find more useful?

Please clarify.

The Cokin system is better than what?

I use the Cokin P holder for graduated neutral density filters.

---Bob Gross---

than buying Hoya/Tiffen/B+W etc regular filters.

Regular filters screw on the front of the lens, and they are circular.

A circular filter could also be a neutral density filter that is a solid gray tone.

Graduated neutral density filters, by their very nature, are not circular, so they can't screw on the front of the lens. Instead, they are rectangular, and there is a screwon plastic holder that allows the photographer to slide them up and down to place the transition exactly as necessary. Cokin sells about three different sizes of holder for the different rectangular filters.

I think I have the normal gray graduated neutral density filters, and maybe one blue one.

---Bob Gross---

I've got a Cokin P system as well. Only filters I have are various ND grads, straight ND and a circ. pol. However, I wasn't too happy with the quality of the filters themselves (they scratch very easily) and also the difficulty in running a hood at the same time, so have invested in the Lee filter system, but they are not cheap.

If you are going to use the system everyday, I would recommend going directly to the the Lee system (they do starter kits, the Foundation kit being very popular). If you are going to use it say once every few weeks, then the Cokin system makes more sense.

Cheers

Ian

I also use the Cokin P holder for my Singh-Ray GND filters. I like the system but as Ian said, it can occasionally be a pain to not have a lens hood. I've heard a lot of bad reports about the Cokin GND (Graduated Neutral Density) filters. They don't seem to be very neutral and give a very distinct color cast. If you are serious about your photography you may want to either go with the Lee system as Ian mentioned or use the Cokin P system with different filters such as those from Singh-Ray or Hi-tech. Both of these companies seem to make very good GND filters, but they aren't cheap.

Hope this is helpful!

Malok

P.S. Ian, I have read a lot of your posts over the last months and have noted your focus on landscape photography. Do you have a website with some of your photos? I'd love to take a peek.

Malok,

Yes, I concentrate of landscape stuff (used to be exclusively) but since going digital I've broadened my horizons.

My 10D gallery is at: http://www.netcomuk.co​.uk/~iwatkins/gallery/

However, it is massively out of date and I must really get around to updating it. There are some shots on there I wouldn't normally bother with, but please feel free to have a browse around.

Cheers

Ian

Thanks for sharing Ian!

I liked your photo of Ridgeway Tree and the Lens the best. I enjoyed the way the lights reflected on it. I'll have to spend some more time playing with macro shots. I haven't done much of that.

Take care,

Malok