10-22 filter kit help needed

Hi all,

I've read through several threads pertaining to the 10-22 and various filter choices that most folks recommend.

What I'm looking for: GND filter(s) for my 10-22.

Questions:

Is the Cokin P/Z-Pro filter holder OK? Would I be beaten with a stick if I got a set of Cokin GND's? Should I use a Lee filter holder and Lee/Hitech filters?

Should I just get a screw-in GND?

I don't do an overwhelming amount of landscape work, but when I do, I don't want to be forced to HDR all of the time and I have an ancient tripod that's like 563.2 pounds. I do see the benefits of having a holder to drop two or even three filters in, and I'm sure I'd use it for those situations needing it. I also see the convenience over having to swap screw-ins.

I suppose if you were to use a screw in, you could just rotate the grad on the threads to get the desired position..etc.

I'm going to the east coast of Florida in 1.5 weeks and will pretty much be right on the beach, so I want to take advantage of at least one sunrise.

And, of course - I want the best I can get..but I'm pretty limited on finances ATM.

Suggestions please?!

I didn't think that there was such a beast as a screw in GND but after searching, I see that I am wrong (again :rolleyes. The problem that I would have is that with a circular filter, you are limited to where in the shot the line is. It is always going to be at that level either at the top, or the side (or wherever you rotate it to). It will limit your creativity to the limits of the filter.

With the Cokin setup, you can slide the filter higher or lower to cover where the horizon is in your shot, as well as rotate the filter holder if your horizon isn't straight for example.

Just my $.02

When I had my 10-22, I used a Cokin Z-Pro holder that I soon replaced with a Lee holder (its not that much more expensive than the Z-Pro, <$20). Both are functional, but the Lee is a much better design. The Cokin GND's are reported to be more gray than neutral and will add a color cast to your pics. I don't have any confirmation of that, but I decided to stay with Hitech filters. They're a good quality filter, and are made of the same grade/type of resin as the Lee filters. I'd resommend starting with a 2-stop soft and a 3-stop hard filter. With the 10-22, in addition to the filters, you'd need a wide angle adapter ring and the filter holder itself.

2filter.com is a good place to check out...they offer starter kits consisting of a holder, adapter ring, and a single filter (not sure if they have any kits with the Lee holder, though). You'd have to check the site and/or give them a call.

And stay away from the round GND's...for the reasons mentioned.

Thanks for the input folks

I'm sure I would rather a better built holder, but does this look like a good start?

http://www.2filter.com​/prices/Hitech_Z_packa​ge.html

If it's only one filter for the time being, and my intentions right now are for horizon shot, then a 2 stop hard would be good?

McFly?

Umm .. , Two other things - The filter holder in the link above looks like it only holds one. I thought these filter holders held three? Various options or adapters I guess?

Would it make more sense to get a .6 soft rather than a .6 hard if I were to have one filter for a bit? And does a .6 soft grad work OK for horizon shots?

Curiouser and curiouser. I just happen to be holding (okay, so it's sitting on my desk as I type) a Hitech 85 Soft ND Grad 0.9 filter. As for the holders, I have the Cokin. It holds three filters as well as has a slot to put in a circular polarizer or a star filter for those Christmas Tree Light shots (or street lights, stars, etc).
The bummer is, you have to buy the adapter rings additionally. But then again, you only get the ones you need.

By the way, that's the Cokin P series filter holder I have. A tad less than the one you are showing on that web site. I think you can get a P series from B&H for around $61.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …1_Landscape_2_F​ilter.html
It even come with a couple of filters to get you started.

Are the Cokin P-series ok with the 10-22? Or is it so wide you need the Z-Pro?

ps: apologize for blatant thread-hijacking..

edit: saw another thread where a wide angle adapter was mentioned, guess that solves the problem. Nvm.

So far it looks to me like the only way to completely avoid vignette is to use the Z-Pro, or to use some sort of wide adapter for the "P"?

I'm still a bit lost here trying to figure out what's best to use.

Well, I had not really tried the P filters in the widest point of the 10-22, so I just broke it out and tried it.

Yes, you see the filter holder in wide. Now, if you are not using a graduated filter where you need the horizon.....
Or in other words, if you are using a full single colored filter, you can turn the holder sideways and it will not vignette.

So, I guess if I want to really cover the full aspect of what I have, I need to upgrade to the Z series? Cr@p. I went from 58mm to some 72mm before switching over to the P series. Now I have to go to the Z series? How many filters am I going to end up with before I am done? Yeah, I know. I'm NEVER going to be done.

well as i mentioned above I saw there is a wide angle slim holder, for only one filter.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Angle_Filter_H​older.html
Don't know how wide you can go with it though. If anyone can confirm it works (or not) at 10 mm that'd be great..

The older Cokin GNDs tend to give a pink/green fringe to your shots becase they are grey rather than neutral, don't know about new ones

I've never heard a complaint about Lee filters other than the cost (which isn't much more than Cokin Z-Pro) - I wish I had the cash to drop on a set of Lee

ObiDamnKenobi wrote in post #5256276
well as i mentioned above I saw there is a wide angle slim holder, for only one filter.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Angle_Filter_H​older.html
Don't know how wide you can go with it though. If anyone can confirm it works (or not) at 10 mm that'd be great..

If your on a budget this works, I get a little vignetting but for what I paid its ok, use it with a 2stop medium Grey ND. Looking to upgrade from this though, thinking of LEE holder + Hitech GND filters as this will hopefully hold more filters with no vignetting and be true ND.

As mentioned earlier, the Lee holder and Hitech GND filter will be your best bet, functionally and economically. The Hitech filters are the same resin grade/type as the Lee filters, just 1" shorter (Hitech = 4x5, Lee = 4x6) and about $30 less than the comparable Lee filter. You can use Hitech filters with a Lee holder...you're not constrained to using Lee filters only. The wide angle adapter ring is not a filter holder (not to be confused with the Cokin wide angle holder). Its simply a ring that threads onto the lens barrel, to which you then attach the holder. The wide angle adapter ring moves the holder attachment point a few mm back from the front of the lens, thereby avoiding the effects of vignetting. The final decision is yours, but for less than $20, the Lee holder is a heck of an improvement for several reasons:

1.) Lee uses a brass, spring-loaded pin to attach the holder...the Z-Pro has three tiny plastic pins that slide in and out and wear easily

2.) The same plastic pins on the Z-Pro pretty much make the first filter slot closest to the lens unusable since they protrude into the area that would normally be occupied by the filter. Could be a problem if you want to stack filters.

Thanks argayle, a big help! Looks like a step up from the Cokin holder is recommended for a UWA. The Lee holder is a little pricier at $75 but sounds like it's worth it.