Cokin filters or screw on filter? at DVinfo.net

Keith Loh · April 13th, 2006, 08:37 AM

Hey guys, next weekend I'm off for a few days to Long Beach / Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I don't surf but I hope to wander around the beaches and parks with my 10D.

Question: I just got a Sigma 10-20mm wideangle and of course realized after I bought it that my polarizer is 52mm not 77mm. So if I want a polarizer for my trip (which in my mind I must get) I'd have to shell out a bunch for a 77mm size. Then I started poking around the Internet and saw the sub-community of people who use the Cokin system of mounts and square filters.

In the long run does it make sense to get into this system rather than continuing to spend $60-80 a pop for screw on threaded filters?

Also, any tips on locations to look for at Tofino? (I doubt I'm going anywhere that I will get my camera wet i.e. whale watching or boating).

Jeff Donald · April 13th, 2006, 02:30 PM

Cokin square polymer filters are generally only of mediocre quality. The polarizers, however, are circular and fit in the Cokin system mounts. Overall, I would rate the Cokin POL's as above average or slightly better, maybe a B+. If you can afford it your best filters are B+W, Heliopan and the Hoya HMC filters, in that order. the Cokin glass filters, such as the round POL's are only a notch or so below the best and much better than the Tiffins, regular Hoyas etc.

Michael Salzlechner · April 13th, 2006, 06:52 PM

A cokin filter system definately makes more sense if you do more work with filters

especially things like graduated ND filters really only work with a system like it. The round filters always have the gradient at a fixed spot

Get a cokin filter holder but dont buy cokin brand filters. Cokin brand filters are not color neutral and while that doesnt matter on a regular ND filter as you can easily correct that a grad ND is not correctable as the color change is only in the darker areas

Get either Lee or Hitec filters

Frank Granovski · April 14th, 2006, 05:47 AM

Cokin also makes their full line in screw-in, but you have to order them from France.

April 13th, 2006, 08:37 AM	#1
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Cokin filters or screw on filter? Hey guys, next weekend I'm off for a few days to Long Beach / Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I don't surf but I hope to wander around the beaches and parks with my 10D. Question: I just got a Sigma 10-20mm wideangle and of course realized after I bought it that my polarizer is 52mm not 77mm. So if I want a polarizer for my trip (which in my mind I must get) I'd have to shell out a bunch for a 77mm size. Then I started poking around the Internet and saw the sub-community of people who use the Cokin system of mounts and square filters. In the long run does it make sense to get into this system rather than continuing to spend $60-80 a pop for screw on threaded filters? Also, any tips on locations to look for at Tofino? (I doubt I'm going anywhere that I will get my camera wet i.e. whale watching or boating). __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

April 13th, 2006, 02:30 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Cokin square polymer filters are generally only of mediocre quality. The polarizers, however, are circular and fit in the Cokin system mounts. Overall, I would rate the Cokin POL's as above average or slightly better, maybe a B+. If you can afford it your best filters are B+W, Heliopan and the Hoya HMC filters, in that order. the Cokin glass filters, such as the round POL's are only a notch or so below the best and much better than the Tiffins, regular Hoyas etc. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 13th, 2006, 06:52 PM	#3
Michael Salzlechner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL, US Posts: 228	A cokin filter system definately makes more sense if you do more work with filters especially things like graduated ND filters really only work with a system like it. The round filters always have the gradient at a fixed spot Get a cokin filter holder but dont buy cokin brand filters. Cokin brand filters are not color neutral and while that doesnt matter on a regular ND filter as you can easily correct that a grad ND is not correctable as the color change is only in the darker areas Get either Lee or Hitec filters __________________ Michael Salzlechner

April 14th, 2006, 05:47 AM	#4
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Cokin also makes their full line in screw-in, but you have to order them from France.