Request for some feedback & PHotos from Cokin GND filters

anyone have any sample photos from their cokin GND filter?

Any feedback on them?

Cokin's greys aren't truly neutral density - people have reported a slight brownish cast to them. Notice that they actually call them "Graduated Gray", not "Graduated Neutral Density". Go with Singh Ray, Lee or HiTech grads.

It's true that the general opinion here is that there the Cokins are not true neutral grads, however I've used them for about 2 years now and have yet to notice a colour shift. I'm not saying there is no shift, just that it's not a major issue.

Richard

^ What Jon said.

Richard, do you use AWB, or set a specific WB in those shots? AWB may have compensated.

Notes lack of any sample photo's ...

Hi, this was taken using a Cokin ND (I think it is the ND8 off the top of my head - not the grad, though it has a similar hue), it hasn't been processed in anyway beyond converting from RAW to jpeg.

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Double Negative,

In answer to your query about white balance: No, I don't have any odd wb set up.

I think the images shown here by Gembobs illustrate my point very well. All I see is a low contrast image ready for pp'ing in the first sample, compared to one that has been given the attention. Theres certainly not enough of a cast that Photoshop cannot deal with it.

Richard

Interesting that on my calibrated monitor the mild red cast is there clearly in the first, but a definate green/blue cast in the second. It doesn't look anything significant at all and nothing that can't be dealt with in PP ... unless you shoot jpg!

condyk wrote in post #5626834
...It doesn't look anything significant at all and nothing that can't be dealt with in PP ... unless you shoot jpg!

True...but its just one more thing to have to deal with. Getting it right in the camera means less time sitting in front of a monitor.

Of course, I agree with you ... and would add that, as with many choices, it's also about whether the geezer wants to spend out on the big boys stuff or is Ok with the next rung down. I decided to go Lee and Hitech but I can afford it. If I didn't want to spend out or was short on cash I'd happily use the Cokin. It's not like most here are processing 1000's of images at a time. You go out any maybe a dozen or so are worth the effort and it's part of the fun innit

It's simple cost/benefit choices for many in all areas of their hobby. I wouldn't go next level up as don't think I'd see benefit. The Lee holder and Hitech seems the best compromise of price/quality.

condyk wrote in post #5629488
...The Lee holder and Hitech seems the best compromise of price/quality.

Agree with you there...that's been my setup for a while now. Of course, I learned this the "hard way".

condyk wrote in post #5629488
The Lee holder and Hitech seems the best compromise of price/quality.

thanks all!

is there a specific lee holder you recommend? How much does the holder matter? is the cokin holder inferior?

What's a good place to get the hitech filters?

THankS?

simmonsrandal wrote in post #5634928
thanks all!

is there a specific lee holder you recommend? How much does the holder matter? is the cokin holder inferior?

What's a good place to get the hitech filters?

THankS?

The only Cokin holder that's in the same size range as the Lee is the Z-Pro. Of the two, the Lee is a much better design and is only about $15 more than the Cokin. There are threads on here where I posted about the differences between the two, so a search should turn them up. Design and functionality wise, the Z-Pro is the lesser of the two. The Lee is called "Lee Foundation Kit". You'll need the holder and the appropriately sized adapter ring to fit your lens diameter.

You can get Hitech filters here (and the Lee holder/adapter ring here:

http://www.2filter.com​/prices/catalog.html

Scroll down to the about the middle of the screen right-hand column...you'll see links for Hitech filters (click the Hitech link and look for the 4x5 GND table). There's also a link for Lee filter holders.

is the lee holder easier to get in on? i find the cokin fine, but getting it on and off can be a real pain.

On and off is very easy.