Cokin filters vs screw on

Hello,

Just wondering which are better to use, Cokin system or screw on filters.

Im looking at getting a Hoya 58mm PRO1 Digital Circular PL Filter, but if I get another size lens in the future I would have to get another filter, and it all adds up!

Is the Cokin filter system better because you only need one filter for any size lens?

Thanks,

Mike

A screw-in CP is a lot easier to use than a slot-in type, and probably better quality. If you know what size filter your planned future purchase(s) use(s) then you could get a filter of that size plus a step-up (or is it down? never can get those two straight) ring. That's what I would do.

Go with the screw on. Cokin filters are a b"*ch for scratching as they are plastic. Plus with the rings and holders, etc. they are much more fiddly to use. At least with the screw on, you can leave it on the lens when putting the camera back in the bag without having to dismantle everything.

With a 58mm filter, you can always get a step down ring for another lens. On average 58mm is about the biggest filter size for standard zoom lenses. It could be very likely the next lens you get could be bigger and even the Cokin A series may not suit. Then you'd have to end up getting the P series which means new filter and holder.

On the face of it a Cokin filter system looks more economical but it isn't. The only filters that really come into their own with this system is graduated filters. The fact that they can be adjusted up and down or side to side on the filter holder makes them more versatile.

Agree. Cokin is crap. The Hoya Pro 1D is in another category and is top shelf stuff. I have that polarizer and a Hoya HD as well. Great filters and can be bought cheap from the site 2filter. If I were you, I would get the 77 mm Hoya Pro1 D and a step up ring from B&H. Then later, you can get the appropriate step up ring for other lenses, using the same filter. The assumption being that you won't buy a lens larger than 77 mm and this is a pretty safe assumption. Simple stuff man, just get the 77 mm filter and step up rings as you need them. They are about $15 on B&H. I would get the metal step up rings, some are very cheap and made of plastic or so I am told. A good one should be in the $15-20 range.

Some benefits of a filter holder system:

• one holder for all lenses;
  
• the transition area for GND's can be freely positioned;
  
• stacking filters is less likely to cause vignetting;
  
• a complete filter set weighs less as you add more filters.
  

dermotlipf wrote in post #10316558
Cokin filters are a b"*ch for scratching as they are plastic.

A very long time ago, I bought about a half dozen Cokin filters. The plastic cases they come in are quite bulky, when you have a half doze filters to store. So I bought a vinyl filter case...Big mistake! The filters in the case went into my camera bag. The camera bag travelled with me on one week long outing. I didn't use the Cokins on that trip, but at the end of the trip I disovered that merely sitting in the filter case the Cokins had abraided against the vinyl sleeves, ruining the filters...with no use at all!

Mike410 wrote in post #10316451
Hello,

Just wondering which are better to use, Cokin system or screw on filters.

Im looking at getting a Hoya 58mm PRO1 Digital Circular PL Filter, but if I get another size lens in the future I would have to get another filter, and it all adds up!

Is the Cokin filter system better because you only need one filter for any size lens?

Thanks,

Mike

I'm in a similar situation and will likely buy one large (77mm) CPL and then, for now, a 77-72mm (filter to lens) step down adapter. I know that my next lens (Sigma 10-20mm) takes a 77mm filter and doubt that any future lens will require one larger. Obviously, it's more expensive than a 58mm CPL but cheaper than buying another down the line.

The Cokin Z-Pro/Lee holder and Lee/Hitech filters (I'd stay away from Cokin filters) definitely have their place, primarily in landscapes. A graduated neutral density filter is great at helping control the difference in exposure between foreground and sky. DSLR's don't do a great job here and having GND's really helps. A ND is great for creating longer exposures for water blur, etc.

HrcRacing wrote in post #10322060
I'm in a similar situation and will likely buy one large (77mm) CPL and then, for now, a 77-72mm (filter to lens) step down adapter.

Ring designations are from the lens to the filter, so you'll want a 72-77mm step-up ring instead.

rvdw98 wrote in post #10322533
Ring designations are from the lens to the filter, so you'll want a 72-77mm step-up ring instead.

Good point. Should have flipped that but I did manage to mention 'filter to lens' so, hopefully, the point was made.

HrcRacing wrote in post #10322902
Good point. Should have flipped that but I did manage to mention 'filter to lens' so, hopefully, the point was made.

No problem, just wanted to keep you from ordering the wrong ring.

rvdw98 wrote in post #10322533
Ring designations are from the lens to the filter, so you'll want a 72-77mm step-up ring instead.

If I were to buy the 58mm screw on CP filter, and I bought a lens in the future with a 77mm diameter would I be able to use step down rings to make the 58mm CP work?

I dont have any immediate plans to buy a lens thats 77mm and the 2 lens I have now are both 58mm so it would be cheaper for me now to get the 58mm CP filter.

Mike410 wrote in post #10323040
If I were to buy the 58mm screw on CP filter, and I bought a lens in the future with a 77mm diameter would I be able to use step down rings to make the 58mm CP work?

Theoretically, yes. But the narrower ring of the 58mm filter would be well visible in the frame, which is generally not what you'd want.

Frankly, I'm not sure why step-down rings are even being made; they serve no practical purpose in my mind and only confuse prospective customers (even camera store personnel in my own experience).

Always buy your filters for the largest diameter lens you expect to use at some point and use step-up rings to fit them to your other lenses.

Buy 58mm if you want to, but remember, we warned you

At some point, if like most, you will be buying lenses that need larger filters. Only you can decide this of course, but now is the time to think about it.

Personally, I'd avoid the hassle of using step-up rings just to "save" on filters. If you have one filter you're going to use on all your lenses, you'll have to change it from lens to lens every time you change lenses, plus it'll be impossible to use a hood on the smaller-diameter lenses when the filter's in place. And the aggravation factor is, to me, more important than the cost (B+W MRC, and I have several of them in 77 mm since I have several 77 mm diameter lenses).

You can start off with one filter and step-up rings and add additional filters for the lenses you find you use most if you so desire. Also, if you use several types of filters (UV, CPL, ND), you'd have to buy a set for each lens which quickly adds up.