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RE: Filter systems

Toffle — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:03:13 GMT

[quote][b]Derek Lofgreen (7/8/2008)[/b][hr]I went out to Mitchel Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness) on Saturday and used the new filters I got. It was very cool just to see the image through the viewfinder. I'll be posting some soon.

D.[/quote]

One exercise I do from time to time is to take a walk with just a couple of coloured filters. Hold a red or green filter in front of your eye and compose a scene. The strong filter essentially renders the scene as monochrome, showing you the tones of the scene rather than the colours. Of course, each filter will render a different range of tones, (a red filter will probably give you the strongest effect) but it is a really good exercise to teach you to see in monochrome.

Cheers,
Tom

RE: Filter systems

Derek Lofgreen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:28:05 GMT

I went out to Mitchel Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness) on Saturday and used the new filters I got. It was very cool just to see the image through the viewfinder. I'll be posting some soon.

D.

RE: Filter systems

Admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:23:25 GMT

Great Derek, the Cokin P is a good way to start. Let us know how you find using the system.

RE: Filter systems

Derek Lofgreen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:00:19 GMT

Thanks for all the input. I decided to go with the Cokin P system. Moslty because other filter makers make filters that fit the holder. And the holder was way cheaper than the other brands. I got two filters to start out with so we will see how long/well they last. Thanks for the info, I will probably be upgrading when I get the funds.

RE: Filter systems

naturephoto1 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:59:18 GMT

Lee and Singh-Ray make filters in both the Lee and Cokin P size. They are both much better for consistency and durability than the Cokin. You think the Lee are expensive, then look at the Singh-Ray. :w00t: Lee has also just come out (just to be released) a holder and filters for Rangefinder cameras.

Rich

RE: Filter systems

roteague — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:02:14 GMT

Normally, the filters are in 1 (.3), 2 (.6) or 3 (.9) stop increments. A lot would depend upon what type of subjects you are photographing, and what type of film. However, with my style of shooting - transparency film - I've found that my most often used filter is the 2 stop (.6) hard grad. A 1 (.3) stop is almost pointless, since most films will handle the one stop difference just fine. I've found very little use for the 3 stop (.9) filter, and consider it overkill.

If I had to choose, I would get either 2 2 stop filters - one hard and one soft edge, or a hard edge 2 stop and a soft edge 3 stop (the transition zone is quite noticeable on the 3 stop).

RE: Filter systems

Derek Lofgreen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:55:31 GMT

Okay, here is the next question in the thread. If you had to buy just one ND Grad how many stops would it be 2, 4 or 8? Which one do you see yourself using more often? It will help me get a start.

Thanks.
D.

RE: Filter systems

roteague — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:29:18 GMT

[quote][b]Toffle (7/1/2008)[/b][hr]I find the Cokin filters are not very durable... I would swear that I only touch the edges, but sure enough, I find abrasions smack dab in the middle of my #3 Red. Very annoying.

Cheers,
Tom[/quote]

That was pretty much my experience with the Cokin system as well. The Lee filters are much more durable. Also, the Lee filters are bigger, 100x100mm for the standard filters and 100x150mm for the ND grads, as opposed to 84mm for the Cokin P size (Cokin does have a Z-Pro size which is 100x100mm).

RE: Filter systems

Toffle — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:48:43 GMT

[quote][b]Derek Lofgreen (6/30/2008)[/b][hr]I want to buy some ND grads and some polarizers but I have different size lenses on my Nikon. So I was looking at some of those square filter systems that fit more than one lens sizes. Any recomendations?

D.[/quote]

I can't speak for the quality of the Lee filters. When I needed a system, I bought what was available, which was Cokin. I find the Cokin filters are not very durable... I would swear that I only touch the edges, but sure enough, I find abrasions smack dab in the middle of my #3 Red. Very annoying.

Cheers,
Tom

RE: Filter systems

mallard67 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:25:57 GMT

Hi guys,

Right now i use a Cokin P system and have a hand full of filters of various brands, nothing crazy (you can buy cokin filters, hitech, singh-ray, LEE, tiffen, etc). I'm pretty money conscious, so that was kind of part of my choice. I use a few ND grads, hard and soft, a warming filter, and some others, and find that the quality is ok for me. I mean, you do get what you pay for....and i have heard others comment on having to file down some filters to fit properly from some of the vendors out there. It fits my canon 35mm and my RB just fine. Keep in mind on the "correctness" of color that I rarely shoot transparency film, mostly black and white. It might help to handle some of these systems to get a better idea, i know i hate buying something and having to continuously upgrade (hence, the use of film vs. well, you know ;))

RE: Filter systems

roteague — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:03:17 GMT

Yes, there is a big difference in price. However, the materials between the two systems can't really be compared. For example, the Cokin holder is one-piece plastic, while the Lee holder is designed so you can add or take away "layers", so the holder will hold either 1 or more filters. The Cokin ND filters are generally square and smaller than the Lee filters, which are rectangular.

The Cokin filters aren't as neutral as the Lee filters, they do have a slight color cast to them. However, I can't tell how much they affect the image, since I've never found it to be that noticeable. I've found the Lee system much more versitile, with better quality materials all around.

As you say, they are much more expensive. I swiched out totally from the Cokin system and bought a full Lee system. But, that was a personal choice, and I'm sure some people would rather spend the money on film.

RE: Filter systems

Derek Lofgreen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:28:03 GMT

Holy smokes! A little more expensive, I'll say. Lee filter holder is $75.00 compared to $15.00 for the Cokin system. Don't get me wrong I'm not a cheap guy but is there that much value in the difference in quality? Is there over 200% better image quality with the Lee system, because that's difference in cost. What do you think?

D.

RE: Filter systems

roteague — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:23:27 GMT

I would highly recommend the Lee system. It is a bit more expensive than the Cokin system, for example, but the quality of the filters, holders and other accessories (like attachment rings) is superb. Lee has both hard and soft transition ND grads, the soft are probably the most versitile, the the hard is easier to use (you can see the transition in the viewfinder much easier). The Lee system will fit all of your lenses, no problem. The biggest problem is the polarizing filter, which is big (105mm) and expensive. I would suggest using your normal polarizing filters and use the Lee system for ND or 81 series filters.

Filter systems

Derek Lofgreen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:40:19 GMT

I want to buy some ND grads and some polarizers but I have different size lenses on my Nikon. So I was looking at some of those square filter systems that fit more than one lens sizes. Any recomendations?

D.