Filters and set up

[cumzball]

I am considering to buy GND filters for landscape, sunrise and sunset photo taking.
I have read that i will need an adaptor ring, filter holder and the GND filter.

There are many brands of filter in the market, like kenko, B+W, LEE, Cookin etc...
I have a few qns regarding this:

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?
2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?
3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?
4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?
5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?
6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?
7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?


Hope bros out there would be able to advice on the qns above. Am still learning and exploring here... :sweat::sweat::sweat: thanks...

 

[DrSpock]

I am considering to buy GND filters for landscape, sunrise and sunset photo taking.
I have read that i will need an adaptor ring, filter holder and the GND filter.

There are many brands of filter in the market, like kenko, B+W, LEE, Cookin etc...
I have a few qns regarding this:

Hope bros out there would be able to advice on the qns above. Am still learning and exploring here... :sweat::sweat::sweat: thanks...

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?
Usually the amt of $ you pay for each says alot abt the quality so LEE is on the higher level and there are others like Tianya which is cheaper

2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder? The holder is usually dependent on the diff lenses sizes and I suppose the screw thread on most is universal hence, yes

3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters? Mostly yes but do test it out at the shop b4 purchase. I use cheapest adaper rings I can find with my Lee filters

4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?
Check out the Mass Market section where you can get plenty of bargains & the B&S sections

5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?
Really depend on the brand can be anything from <$100 up to $800 even

6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?
Usually the kit set comes cheaper than individually

7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?Must be able to fit onto your lens? and not loose and get those thin ones(costs more) to prevent vigneting

 

[dleugene]

I am considering to buy GND filters for landscape, sunrise and sunset photo taking.
I have read that i will need an adaptor ring, filter holder and the GND filter.

There are many brands of filter in the market, like kenko, B+W, LEE, Cookin etc...
I have a few qns regarding this:

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?
2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?
3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?
4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?
5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?
6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?
7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?


Hope bros out there would be able to advice on the qns above. Am still learning and exploring here... :sweat::sweat::sweat: thanks...

1) Kenko - avaliable only for screw-in mount. Can only adjust the filter in a circular motion.
B+W - avaliable only for screw-in mount. Can only adjust the filter in a circular motion
Cokins - filter holder, may have color cast for ND filter, filter made of acrylic, price cheaper than LEE filter. Can adjust in circular and linear motion.
LEE - filter holder, filter made of glass/acrylic, price more toward the high range. Can adjust in circular and linear motion.


2) Only filter holder system, can interchange filter from different brand, provided the size is correct.

3) There are 3rd party adaptor ring and holder avaliable but the quality may not be as good.

5) .....

6) Kit set usually come with only 1 size adaptors, holder, 1 ND & 1 GND filter

7) What type of lens are you using? UWA, Tele?
What the ring size of the lens?

For starters on budget, you can get TianYa filter system.
For starters without budget constrain, you can get LEE filter system. Can skip the need to climb the quality ladder.


That my 2 cents worth

 

[daredevil123]

If you are thinking GND, you must be thinking of slotted filters (square and rectangular ones).

In terms of pricing from cheap to expensive:

Tianya -> Cokin -> Hitech -> Lee.

Some holders can hold other brands filters. Some are quite tight, some cannot. Just have to try.

 

[Numnumball]

If you are thinking GND, you must be thinking of slotted filters (square and rectangular ones).

In terms of pricing from cheap to expensive:

Tianya -> Cokin -> Hitech -> Lee -> Singh ray

Some holders can hold other brands filters. Some are quite tight, some cannot. Just have to try.

Bro, u left out one "big name" :lovegrin:

 

[Numnumball]

Pls refer to my answers to ur queries below. HTH

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?

Price and optical quality

2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?

Yes

3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?

Yes - But not all fits (lee for one use their own dedicated adaptor ring and holder )

4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?

Cokins

5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?

If Cokins should be under $60

6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?

If you know what u intend to use it for, u wont need us answering this

7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?

Ring/Holder - Get the biggest thread (in 77mm) and step up rings, so u wont have to spurge on muiliple adapter ring sizes.

Filter -Stacking results in optical quality loss and vignetting

 

[daredevil123]

Bro, u left out one "big name" :lovegrin:

Ya bro. I forgot about the Bayee.

Anyway Singh Ray is overpriced lah. The only thing they have that is worth looking at is the reverse GND.

But so ex sia. I look at Lee already shake head. :cry:

 

[Cashmere]

Ya bro. I forgot about the Bayee.

Anyway Singh Ray is overpriced lah. The only thing they have that is worth looking at is the reverse GND.

But so ex sia. I look at Lee already shake head. :cry:

So are you saying SR's not worth the price?
I'm looking for a GND myself and was thinking of Lee or SR.
Lee is about $150 from CP. Does that mean SR is more ex?
Furthermore, SR is not available in Singapore. I've checked out a few stores yesterday.
Which brand is good and lasting? I need recommendations.
I don't want Cokin as its not neutral and will produce a colour cast..

 

[daredevil123]

So are you saying SR's not worth the price?
I'm looking for a GND myself and was thinking of Lee or SR.
Lee is about $150 from CP. Does that mean SR is more ex?
Furthermore, SR is not available in Singapore. I've checked out a few stores yesterday.
Which brand is good and lasting? I need recommendations.
I don't want Cokin as its not neutral and will produce a colour cast..

Whether you find SR worth the price or not is totally up to you. I cannot justify SR's pricing. And yes, it is a lot more expensive than Lee.

If you know what you are doing with Cokins, the color cast is negligible. Only when you start stacking filters you will see the color cast.

If getting the Lee filters, and getting the 0.9 ND, make sure to get the pro glass version to avoid color cast (expensive though).

Every brand is lasting. Good, really depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend. For now, I have to live with Cokin. But I know sooner or later, I will have to move up to Lee. But if I do go Lee, I will only get 2 or max 3 filters. Cokin I have a whole bunch of filters, like 6 or 7 pieces.

 

[Cashmere]

Whether you find SR worth the price or not is totally up to you. I cannot justify SR's pricing. And yes, it is a lot more expensive than Lee.

If you know what you are doing with Cokins, the color cast is negligible. Only when you start stacking filters you will see the color cast.

If getting the Lee filters, and getting the 0.9 ND, make sure to get the pro glass version to avoid color cast (expensive though).

Every brand is lasting. Good, really depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend. For now, I have to live with Cokin. But I know sooner or later, I will have to move up to Lee. But if I do go Lee, I will only get 2 or max 3 filters. Cokin I have a whole bunch of filters, like 6 or 7 pieces.

Aaah... I see.. Cos I read somewhere that the colour cast was due to long exposures.
Well anyway if you dont mind me asking, what do you think of Hitech?

 

[cumzball]

Pls refer to my answers to ur queries below. HTH


2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?

Yes

3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?

Yes - But not all fits (lee for one use their own dedicated adaptor ring and holder )

4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?

Cokins

6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?

If you know what u intend to use it for, u wont need us answering this

7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?

Ring/Holder - Get the biggest thread (in 77mm) and step up rings, so u wont have to spurge on muiliple adapter ring sizes.

Filter -Stacking results in optical quality loss and vignetting

Thanks to all the bro who have given advise in this thread!


Hi Bro Numnumball,

You said that filters of one brand can be used on another brand's holder but lee uses their own dedicated adaptor and holder so does that mean lee can't be used on other brand's holder?

I m considering getting cookin ring and holder, and with upgrades in mind to lee in future. but if lee can be used with it's own dedicated holder then i may need to reconsider my options.

Reason for mentioning kit set as it consist of the ring, holder and some filters. but am not sure if the ring and holder from kit set would offer flexibility of holding other brand's filter.

I do not understand what u mean by "Ring/Holder - Get the biggest thread (in 77mm) and step up rings, so u wont have to spurge on muiliple adapter ring sizes."

Sorry for all the questions... :sweatsm::sweatsm:

 

[Cashmere]

I thought and I was told Lee has their own too..
But DrSpock mentioned above that he's using Lee filters with a third party holder / ring..
So there's prolly some hope there..

 

[cumzball]

I thought and I was told Lee has their own too..
But DrSpock mentioned above that he's using Lee filters with a third party holder / ring..
So there's prolly some hope there..

LOL.. hope so...

DrSpock, mind sharing what holder/ring you are using??? :bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[Treetrunk]

Very interesting and informative thread.

I think i have caught the bug too. Going to get my filters this weekend.:lovegrin:

 

[allenleonhart]

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?

as mentioned, price and quality

2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?

yes and no. some brands such as cokin P system can work with tianya's similiar system. others maybe not.

3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?

depends. if its a cokin P system, the holder for tianya will work with it. havent worked with any other filters so cannot comment on the rest

4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?

tian ya. i bought mine pretty cheap at abt 100 bucks as a kit. 1gnd, 2 graduated colors, 2 nds 4 and 8, and a cpl all from tianya, along with the holder.

5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?

depends. tianya sells at abt 10 plus i think.

6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?

depends. if u dun need stuff like cpl from tianya, why bother getting it as a kit?

7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?

vignetting, scratching ur filters when using etc.

and if u really wanna test out and u happen to have a 67mm filter thread lens, i dun mind meeting up with u to let u test out on my tianya. either way i also long time no use, maybe u want i can sell to u too to test out.

 

[wmayeo]

very useful thread for me as well. thanks to the seniors! :thumbsup:

 

[DrSpock]

I thought and I was told Lee has their own too..
But DrSpock mentioned above that he's using Lee filters with a third party holder / ring..
So there's prolly some hope there..

LOL.. hope so...

DrSpock, mind sharing what holder/ring you are using??? :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Hi cumzball, I'm using the Lee Filters DSLR Starter Kit much like this one

together with a Lee 77mm dia Wideangle Adapter ring for my 77mm lenses. However I do hv lenses that are 72 or 67mm dia hence I use a cheap step up ring to attached the Lee filters to these lenses if I use them. Must be clear -the basic holder & 1 adpater ring hv to get from Lee system. The rest you can use step up rings hence advisible to get a wideangle one & biggest for your lens like 77mm or 82mm( cost more) as what bro numnumball advised. Sori if I had mislead you on this.
More info on Lee available here and the brochure on the Lee system here

Enjoy them

 

[allenleonhart]

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239090
this could help. a review on tianya system

 

[cumzball]

Hi cumzball, I'm using the Lee Filters DSLR Starter Kit much like this one

together with a Lee 77mm dia Wideangle Adapter ring for my 77mm lenses. However I do hv lenses that are 72 or 67mm dia hence I use a cheap step up ring to attached the Lee filters to these lenses if I use them. Must be clear -the basic holder & 1 adpater ring hv to get from Lee system. The rest you can use step up rings hence advisible to get a wideangle one & biggest for your lens like 77mm or 82mm( cost more) as what bro numnumball advised. Sori if I had mislead you on this.
More info on Lee available here and the brochure on the Lee system here

Enjoy them

Thanks DrSpock!!!
Mind if i ask how much did the Lee starter kit set u back? i was considering start kit as well. you can PM me the price if it's not convenient to mention price here.

So what u are trying to say here is i should get the biggest ring from Lee and get cheaper step up rings to attach it to my lenses that are small in size?

Pardon me, getting abit confused....

 

[cumzball]

1) what are the difference between the filters for each of the brands?

as mentioned, price and quality

2) can the filters of one brand be used on another brand's holder?

yes and no. some brands such as cokin P system can work with tianya's similiar system. others maybe not.

3) Are there 3rd party adaptor ring and holder available that can be used to hold the various brands of filters?

depends. if its a cokin P system, the holder for tianya will work with it. havent worked with any other filters so cannot comment on the rest


4) What would be a recommended brand for someone who's trying out and exploring and not blowing a hole in the pocket?

tian ya. i bought mine pretty cheap at abt 100 bucks as a kit. 1gnd, 2 graduated colors, 2 nds 4 and 8, and a cpl all from tianya, along with the holder.

5) what is the estimated cost to get the adaptor ring and holder?

depends. tianya sells at abt 10 plus i think.

6) should I be getting the kit set or individually?

depends. if u dun need stuff like cpl from tianya, why bother getting it as a kit?

7) any points of consideration that i should take note when getting the ring and holder? or even the filter?

vignetting, scratching ur filters when using etc.

and if u really wanna test out and u happen to have a 67mm filter thread lens, i dun mind meeting up with u to let u test out on my tianya. either way i also long time no use, maybe u want i can sell to u too to test out.

Thanks for the offer and advice.
Seems like Tianya starter kit has got quite alot of content as compared to Lee.
Let me consider the options first. I will contact you if i wana buy ur set.