Opinion on the Cokin Filter System


Hello.

I came upon this Cokin Filter system thing when I was doing search on the internet for my new filters. It looks really ideal for landscape work which is what I am planning to do and it could stack 3 filters at a go just by slotting the filters in. I am planning to stack GND and Polarizing filter by the way.

So, could anyone share your experience on it –How's the glass (filter) quality compared to B+W or Hoya? How's the ease of use compared to screw-in filters?

Thanks.
 

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I guess no photographer really want to have a screw in GND. I suggest you make a comparison on COKIN, LEE, HITECH and Singh-Ray. Unless you are comparing with ND filter, B+W is good.
 

Hello.

I came upon this Cokin Filter system thing when I was doing search on the internet for my new filters. It looks really ideal for landscape work which is what I am planning to do and it could stack 3 filters at a go just by slotting the filters in. I am planning to stack GND and Polarizing filter by the way.

So, could anyone share your experience on it –How's the glass (filter) quality compared to B+W or Hoya? How's the ease of use compared to screw-in filters?

Thanks.

i'm using cokin and tianya.. these are more flexible than screw-in...

in terms of optics, of course b+w will be better... but if u want to use gnd, it is advised not to use screw in... else how do u adjust the filter to fit the horizon?
 

I am also gonna get Cokin with gradual ND filters soon. I think the flexibility of Cokin is something that cannot be compared with screw-in filters. Seems like I have to get the X-Pro series so my 17mm lens won't vignette.
 

I tried Cokin grey GND before. It will give the image a color cast. Try Lee instead.
 

good system.... except....

..... the filters are made of some platic material so its easily scratched/damaged.... u have to be careful using them

i suggest getting the bigger P sized cokin filters to avoid vignetting

also suggest getting larger sized lens thread ring (i use 82mm) and just buy step up rings to compensate
 

If you are using UWA lens, you cannot use the 3 slot holder.
 

Cokin system requires a little more time to setup and dismantel.

It's good if you have lenses of various diameter.
 

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Thanks to everybody who has responded. I will definitely consider other brand too. Either way I found the following on Cokin's homepage–
- «A» Series is recommended for focal lengths from 35mm onwards (35mm format).
- «P» Series is recommended for focal lengths from 28mm onwards (35mm format).
- «Z-PRO» Series is recommended for focal lengths from 20mm onwards (35mm format).
- «X-PRO» Series is recommended for focal lengths from15mm onwards (35mm format).

Does the focal length given, for example, the 20mm for Z Pro series refers to the effective focal length or the focal length on your lens. So, could I use the Z series if my Tamron 17-50 on a camera with a 1.6x crop sensor has a effective focal length of (17*1.6=27.2mm)
 

If you are using your Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (I assume it's not a FF), you don't even need the Z filter holder. The normal P holder will suffice.

However, if you, forsee yourself upgrading to a FF DSLR or were to get a superwide (e.g. Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 11-16mm, Tokina 12-24mm) soon, it's better to purchase the "P-wide filter holder (with one slot) right away. The P-wide enables you to shoot at 20mm without vignetting. Anything less than 20mm and you have to improvise the P-wide :)

Or get the Z or X series holder.

If money ain't a problem, go the LEE route.
 

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If you are using your Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (I assume it's not a FF), you don't even need the Z filter holder. The normal P holder will suffice.

However, if you, forsee yourself upgrading to a FF DSLR or were to get a superwide (e.g. Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 11-16mm, Tokina 12-24mm) soon, it's better to purchase the "P-wide filter holder (with one slot) right away. The P-wide enables you to shoot at 20mm without vignetting. Anything less than 20mm and you have to improvise the P-wide :)

Or get the Z or X series holder.

If money ain't a problem, go the LEE route.

Unfortunately, I would most likely use more than 1 filter at a time. LEE is too expensive :/
 

Hello.

I came upon this Cokin Filter system thing when I was doing search on the internet for my new filters. It looks really ideal for landscape work which is what I am planning to do and it could stack 3 filters at a go just by slotting the filters in. I am planning to stack GND and Polarizing filter by the way.

So, could anyone share your experience on it –How's the glass (filter) quality compared to B+W or Hoya? How's the ease of use compared to screw-in filters?

Thanks.

My experience with it aint good a year back, color cast post a serious issue (nt quite easily fixed post).. Good for a start but as you seek to improve as time goes by and expectations get higher, go for Lee or if not at least Hitech.. :)