Does anyone use the Cokin series of filters on their XL1?
I was looking for filters for my SLR camera when I came across these. The filter holder is cheap, the filters themselves are inexpensive (compared to 4x4 slide in filters for video), you can get a bellows style lens hood for it, and it will all screw onto the front of an XL1. It looks like a bargain compared to buying a matte box for 4x the price.
What do you guys think of these?
I have some quality concerns along the lines of "what kind of filter does $30 get you?"

I've been using the Cokin filters all along with my XL1S, mainly because I cannot afford anything better and also because they do a good job at it. I can't see them degrading my image to any significant extent. Perhaps the irony is that I've got a B+W UV filter on my lens.

My opinion is to go for it, they are cheap enough for you to get hold of a bunch of them and experiment and they do the job well enough.

Regards,

Adrian

I use them in the studio, where I can control the lighting. I'll use 80, 81 and 82 series filters for color balance. Outside I use the grads to get the mood I'm after or to adjust for contrast between sky and foreground. I don't use them when the camera is pointed towards or near the sun. Flare is sometimes a problem under those conditions (unless I want flare).

Jeff

Cool.
THanks guys, I think I'm going to pick up a set.

I have picked up most of mine off ebay. Just check the return policy. I've returned a couple because they were scratched. The returns were smooth, everybody understood. The P series will work on both the XL1 and your Elan 7. You'll need different adapter rings for each lens.

Jeff

Yep, Ebay is my plan. They are pretty cheap there. Good point about making sure they are returnable if they are scratched. Thanks.

Are the dimensions of the 'P' series filters compatible with full sized 4x4 matte boxes? I don't know the actual dimensions of the Cokin filters. Maybe they are 4"x4"? That'd be convenient.

Cokin series filters are really wonderful, but beware that the filter must be scrupulously clean before you pan. A tiny piece of dirt will give a smudge that will move with your panning and be very visible on the screen, even if it isn't in the viewfinder, or when still. I've ruined several shots that way.

On the subject of filters, can someone point me to a good resource that will give me a rundown of what types of filters are available so I can build up a filter kit that I think's important.

Cheers
Aaron

Hello Aaron,

Here you go
http://www.tiffen.com/camera_filters.htm

Also
http://www.lafcpug.org/curseofdigital_feature.html

and
http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_01.html
http://noisybrain.com/onloc1_02.html

Keep in touch,

- don

Corkin has a CD with their filters on it. You can usually pick it up for free at many camera stores.

Cokin also has just about their complete line in screw on type filters now. I have a link on my page regarding where you can buy them.

www.dvfreak.com