Finepix F30 - Creative Effect with Cokin Filters

[tomcat]

Just bought the Cokin Magnetic Filter-Holder to try some creative effects with some of my Cokin A filters that were sitting around doing nothing in the dry box.

Here's some examples:

#1 Photo with no filter attached for comparison


#2 Cokin A120 - Grey Graduated G1


#3 Cokin A125 - Gradual Tobacco T2


#4 Cokin A197 - Sunset 1


#5 Cokin A164 - Circular Polariser


I'll try out the other Cokin effect filters that I have when I have the time.

[KLCHUA]

Nice! You live in 1P? For or against en bloc?

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by KLCHUA Nice! You live in 1P? For or against en bloc?

Thanks.
You stay here too?
I don't mind en-bloc but haven't sign the CSA yet.

[tomcat]

Some more Cokin and Cokin-compatible effects filters for portraiture..

#1 Cokin A083 - Diffuser 1


#2 Cokin A086 - Pastel 1


#3 Cokin A092 - Dreams 2


#4 Cokin-compatible Diffuser 1 with Clear Centre Spot


#5 Cokin-compatible Diffuser 2 with Clear Centre Spot

[cy_j]

Nice! Do you hand hold the filters, or is there an slide adaptor?

[Drudkh]

I thought you found some kind of see-thru filters

[bwilly]

how much is this?
some effect ok.. but not the reddish one.. gives odd feeling.
the ones that add more saturated colour esp to the sky will be good.

[azul123]

Originally Posted by bwilly how much is this? some effect ok.. but not the reddish one.. gives odd feeling. the ones that add more saturated colour esp to the sky will be good.

Why does it gives odd feeling? maybe if you imagine it for use with sunset landscape scene, it would be good, no?

../azul123

[tomcat]

Yes, Cokin or any other type of effect filters should be used judiciously and in the correct situation to enhance the final image like azul123 said. I just post these test shots to show that such Cokin or Cokin-equivalent filters could now be fixed onto the F30 with the Cokin Magnetic Filter Holder and not to show how great an 'effects' photographer I am. Especially useful is the ability to use a circular polariser on the F30 to cut glare from reflections in glass and water and to intensify the blueness of the sky.

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by cy_j Nice! Do you hand hold the filters, or is there an slide adaptor?

These are Cokin 'A' series filters which are used since the days of analog photography. They are fitted into a special Cokin filter holder which is magnetically attached to the lens barrel of the F30.

This is a photo of the landscape kit containing the filter holder and 2 filters (graduated sunset and graduated grey filters) for landscape shooting. It is also available in a portrait kit containing 2 filters suitable for portrait photography and a kit with just the filter holder alone for those who owned a lot of Cokin 'A' series filters already.

More info here:
http://www.cokin.fr/magneticholder.html

[weekh]

Originally Posted by tomcat Yes, Cokin or any other type of effect filters should be used judiciously and in the correct situation to enhance the final image like azul123 said. I just post these test shots to show that such Cokin or Cokin-equivalent filters could now be fixed onto the F30 with the Cokin Magnetic Filter Holder. Especially useful is the ability to use a circular polariser on the F30 to cut glare from reflections in glass and water and to intensify the blueness of the sky.

read somewhere that the more expensive cirular polariser is not required for the focusing system in such digicams. a cheaper linar polariser will do.

[tzesian]

Hehe....

I modify the Cokin idea....

I'd attached a 55 to 58mm stepup ring bond to the Cokin magnetic filter holder, I'd just told friends @ Cathay, I'm going to do that, as I'd 58mm size, polarizer, R72, ND4 .... etc

the 55 to 58mm stepup ring fits the A filter about just right. So I do not need to fork out money for repeat "A" size filter, although I do have some collection of "A" filter from 35mm time. the stepup ring recess onto the "A" holder quite nicely, and if I ever need a Gradual ND filter attached ontop of the polarizer, the holder still have enough room for 1 or 2 additional "A" filter !

And most importantly, it light tight for an R72 infrared filter.

Cheers !

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by tzesian Hehe.... I modify the Cokin idea.... I'd attached a 55 to 58mm stepup ring bond to the Cokin magnetic filter holder, I'd just told friends @ Cathay, I'm going to do that, as I'd 58mm size, polarizer, R72, ND4 .... etc the 55 to 58mm stepup ring fits the A filter about just right. So I do not need to fork out money for repeat "A" size filter, although I do have some collection of "A" filter from 35mm time. the stepup ring recess onto the "A" holder quite nicely, and if I ever need a Gradual ND filter attached ontop of the polarizer, the holder still have enough room for 1 or 2 additional "A" filter ! And most importantly, it light tight for an R72 infrared filter. Cheers !

How is this done? Do you mean you replace the magnetic adapter ring that comes with the Cokin kit with the 55 to 58mm ste-up ring and screw the R72 filter onto the step-up ring which is now inside the filter holder?
Wouldn't the set-up be too heavy for the magnet to keep the filter holder attached firmly to the camera?

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by weekh read somewhere that the more expensive cirular polariser is not required for the focusing system in such digicams. a cheaper linar polariser will do.

The Cokin 'A' system only have a circular polariser and it is not very expensive as I recall.

[bwilly]

Originally Posted by azul123 Why does it gives odd feeling? maybe if you imagine it for use with sunset landscape scene, it would be good, no? ../azul123

yup for sunset, but I tik it will be abit fake..
use those ND, gives richer colour maybe better?

btw, how much is the whole set?

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by bwilly yup for sunset, but I tik it will be abit fake.. use those ND, gives richer colour maybe better? btw, how much is the whole set?

These are 'effects' filters and are meant to exagerate the visual impact of the images, especially for graduated coloured filters.

Graduated blue or grey filters would be useful in those scenes in which the sky is so bright that it causes the foreground to be severely underexposed. The beauty of Cokin filters is that unlike screwed in graduated filters, you are not restricted to keeping the horizon strictly centred as the filter could be slid up or down so that the cut-off between coloured and clear areas could be adjusted to suit the desired composition.

It costs S$49 for each of the Landscape or Portrait kits at Cathay Photo after discount. This is much cheaper than buying overseas as it cost US$45 for the same kits at B&H. Each kit can be used on 2 cameras as it comes with 2 metal rings.

For those who are interested in getting one, do note that Cathay Photo only stocks the Size M version, which fits the F30 perfectly. For other cameras, would need to check with their web-site for compatibility here:
http://www.cokin.fr/ico12-FRAMES-p4/ico12-AN-p4.html

[weekh]

Originally Posted by tomcat #2 Cokin A086 - Pastel 1

I love this shot!

Any before and after phots to show the effect of the filter?

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by weekh I love this shot! Any before and after phots to show the effect of the filter?

Thanks.
I didn't take any before and after photos for these portrait shots. But these are essentially diffuser type of filters which softens the lighting, contrast and details when used. The intensity of softening would depend a lot on the aperture setting and some experimentation is needed for first timers to get the desired amount of softening that would appeal to their respective taste.

To get some idea of what is the before and after effects of using these filters, you can check out the Cokin site here:
http://www.cokin.fr/filtres4.html?=#087

[tzesian]

Originally Posted by tomcat How is this done? Do you mean you replace the magnetic adapter ring that comes with the Cokin kit with the 55 to 58mm ste-up ring and screw the R72 filter onto the step-up ring which is now inside the filter holder? Wouldn't the set-up be too heavy for the magnet to keep the filter holder attached firmly to the camera?

I've 2 different version by now.....

The 1st generation is straight forward, bond the 55 to 58 mm stepup ring to the plastic part of the Cokin filter holder, and attach a 58mm size filter to it.... errr.. Not too heavy.

The 2nd generation is better, I slightly enlarge the diameter of the plastic cokin holder (with a aid of a rimmer) , so that a 49 to 55mm stepup ring can be inserted through the plastic and file away the 49mm part of a 49 to 55mm stepup ring, and bond it to the black color plate of the Cokin system directly.

Works perfect. It's safer as the center of gravity is now further recess in and with a 55mm filter.

The Cokin Polarizer is a pain to use, since my 35mm days... It drops easily from the "A" holder, and I'd build a bracket to hold it (so that I can rotate it safely) not a very nice design !

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by tzesian The Cokin Polarizer is a pain to use, since my 35mm days... It drops easily from the "A" holder, and I'd build a bracket to hold it (so that I can rotate it safely) not a very nice design !

Actually with the magnetic filter holder, the Cokin polariser is much easier to use. With the normal filter holder, it is very difficult to rotate the polariser. But with the magnetic filter holder, I just rotate the whole filter holder since it is held onto the camera only by magnetic force.