Please help with Filter Wish List

OK. I've been shooting with my S3 IS for the past year and now I am a dSLR n00b. I'm looking to buy filters for landscape photography. I've been doing as much research as I can in making my decision on what filters to buy. Based articles I've been reading on various posts on this forum, this is what I've come up with:

- Cokin 'P' Series Wide Angle Filter Holder
- Cokin 77mm Adapter Ring
- Cokin P164 Circular Polarizer Glass Filter
- Hitech 85mm Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.9 Resin Filter - Hard Edge
- Hitech 85mm Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.6 Resin Filter - Soft Edge
- Adorama Slinger 4"x6" Filter Pouch

I am planning to use these filters on my Sigma 10-20mm lens. In the future, I'm considering either a EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 or a EF 24-70 f/2.8L which are both 77mm. Would this list be good for what I currently have and what I plan to purchase in the future? I've read that there are some vignetting problems with the Cokin P and super wide angle lenses below a focal length of 17mm but I figured with my crop body I should still be okay with my Sigma lens. Is this correct? I've also considered the Lee holders but it's more than I want to spend at this time. Besides, I've still got a tripod to buy! Any feedback is much appreciated.

If you decide to go with the 77mm filter sizes, you'll of course need a step-up ring.

With regard to filters, I would advise going with a better quality polarizer than the Cokin. Stick to a multi-coated quality filter made by B&W, Heliopan, and Hoya, in no particular order. They're not cheap, but consider it a wise investment. The cheaper polarizers have been known to cause autofocus problems with certain lenses.

BTW, with a ring filter, if you buy a 77mm with the step-up ring on your smaller lenses, you may not be able to fit the lens hood.

Finally, I don't have a 10-22 lens, so I can't say for sure if you'll have problems with vignetting on a crop camera using the Cokin wide P filter holder (I have both the single and multiple Cokin P holders), but when mounted to my full-frame 5D with a 17-40 lens, I get no vignetting.

Thank you for your input EORI.

This only applies to the screw-in filters right? If I decided to mount the filter holder on a smaller lens then I'd need a different ring adapter for that particular size?

Duly noted. I will do some research on those brands and revise my list. Oh the joys of camera shopping!

BmanH wrote in post #5884908
This only applies to the screw-in filters right? If I decided to mount the filter holder on a smaller lens then I'd need a different ring adapter for that particular size?

The Cokin P filter holder also uses a circular adapter to mount to the lens. You can use the same step-up ring for your screw-in filters to attach to the Cokin adapter ring, or buy a smaller size Cokin adapter for your smaller diameter lenses.

Hi,

Get two of the Cokin P-series filter holders, because you might need to "trim" one of them to prevent vignetting on your 10-22. (I haven't tried mine on that lens, so I can't be sure one way or the other.)

"Trimming" just involves taking a hacksaw to the holder and removing the front slot, so it only holds one filter. A little touch up with a file and sand paper is usually needed afterward.

Lee makes a good, adjustable hood to fit the Cokin P-series filter holder. I recommend it, but it will probably vignette at 10mm. At 22mm and on other lenses it will probably be fine.

I agree and was also going to suggest skipping the Cokin polarizer, getting a high quality multi-coated one from those other manufacturers instead. It will be much more expensive, but more generally useful, both with and without the Cokin holder and filters.

Experiment with various ND grad filters, to see what you find most useful. There are a number of different ones out there to fit Cokin P-series holder.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5885900
Get two of the Cokin P-series filter holders, because you might need to "trim" one of them to prevent vignetting on your 10-22. (I haven't tried mine on that lens, so I can't be sure one way or the other.)

The Cokin wide P filter holder is actually a single filter holder, designed for wide angle lenses, so that the OP would not need to trim. If the OP does decide that he wants the ability to use multiple P filters at the same time, he'll want to get the standard P filter holder with multiple slots. I use both.

WOW, those other brands are pretty expensive. Especially Heliopan. I think I'm going to go with the B+W CPMC Slim Glass Filter. Do any of these other manufacturers have a CP that fits onto the Cokin holder though? I'm only finding the screw-in types.

Ok forget that. I just read that the slim filter is a PITA because the lens cap doesn't stay on and there is no threading. It looks like I'm going with the B+W 77mm F-Pro Multicoated Circular Polarizer MrC.

If you're looking at 4x5" or 4x6" filters (Hitechs are 4x5) the Cokin P won't hold them. I personally would go with the Z (which will hold 4" wide filters) partly because you'll have fewer vignetting concerns with wide angle lenses.

emorphien wrote in post #5887068
If you're looking at 4x5" or 4x6" filters (Hitechs are 4x5) the Cokin P won't hold them. I personally would go with the Z (which will hold 4" wide filters) partly because you'll have fewer vignetting concerns with wide angle lenses.

Apparently B&H sells Hitechs that fit into the Cokin P's. These are the ones I'm looking to buy. I had considered the Lee filter holder that's comparable to the Z but I'm trying REALLY hard to stay in budget.

Ah, didn't know Hitech made P sized filters. Still, on your 10mm lens if you can mount a filter holder, I'd be surprised if vignetting wasn't a real possibility. Cokin Z holders with a hitech filter and adapter ring can be had for about $130 as an easy kit from 2filter.com

EORI wrote in post #5885956
The Cokin wide P filter holder is actually a single filter holder, designed for wide angle lenses, so that the OP would not need to trim. If the OP does decide that he wants the ability to use multiple P filters at the same time, he'll want to get the standard P filter holder with multiple slots. I use both.

Yes, I plan to get both the wide angle and standard P filter holder. B&H is selling the 77mm adapter ring WITH the holder for less than the adapter ring alone. Perhaps this is some type of mistake but it works for me!

BmanH wrote in post #5887049
Ok forget that. I just read that the slim filter is a PITA because the lens cap doesn't stay on and there is no threading. It looks like I'm going with the B+W 77mm F-Pro Multicoated Circular Polarizer MrC.

For CPL have a look at this as well.. 'B + W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer Coated Glass Filter'

Alright folks. I've taken all your recommendations into consideration. Here's my updated list:

- Cokin 'P' Series Wide Angle Filter Holder
- Cokin 77mm Adapter Ring
- B+W 77mm F-Pro MRC Circular Polarizer Glass Filter
- Hitech 85mm Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.9 Resin Filter - Hard Edge
- Hitech 85mm Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.6 Resin Filter - Soft Edge
- Adorama Slinger 4"x6" Filter Pouch
- 72mm to 77mm Step-up Ring (for my 28-135 IS lens)