gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

Can someone please tell me the use of a P filter, thanks.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

There are two Cokin sizes, "A" & "P". The "A" series is adequate for 35mm cameras and camcorders and fits filter sizes from 36-62mm. The "P" series covers diameters from 48-82mm and is generally preferred for everything, particularly wide angle lenses. Over 100 filters and a wide range of accessories are available for each system, i.e. modular lens hoods, lens caps, and storage boxes.
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gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

Thank you so much I was wondering what specific function the P filter would have. Am very familiar with most filters but have never seen aP filter which I bought at my local pawn shop yesterday for $5.00. It's a Zeiss so I know I did not overpay.

gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

In other words, why would someone buy a P filter?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

As crime said, the P letter designation is the size of the filter holder that it fits into. Here's Cokins web page: http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/cokinP.htm

You buy a P filter to fit a P filter holder that fits larger diameter lenses. Most of use have 52mm to 82mm diameter front element glass on our DSLR's.

In other words, the P does not mean ND or Polarizer or denote the type of photographic use this filter is designed for, it's the SIZE only of the filter holder that it fits into.

gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

Thank you but why does it screw into my 100mm Macro lens which is a 55m. And this is a Zeiss filter made in Germany, It says nothing about cokin. Thank you.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I see now. Ok, so it's not a Cokin filter after all. Just a guess but the P could stand for Polarizer. Give it a try. Polarizers have to be turned one way or the other to vary the effect.

gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

Thank each of you for assisting me with this issue. I value your assistance.

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

Gabe, your round, screw-on filter is probably a Polarizing filter, and depending on your type of camera, it may not be very useful. 55mm lens threads are primarily found on 'older', film era lenses. Not to say that you have a film camera, but what I am saying is there is a better than average chance that your polarizing lens is a LINEAR polarizer (made for film cameras). If so, it will not work well on a digital camera. If it does not have a rotating part in front, that spins around the part with the threads on it, then you have a linear polarizer.

Linear = film
Circular = digital

Now, that said, a polarizing filter is used to cut glare off of non-metallic surfaces. Think sunglasses for your lens. They make blue skies bluer. They pump up contrast. Many outdoor shots can benefit from a polarizer. GOOGLE will tell you much more about polarizers.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

A round Zeiss "P" filter is an old Linear Polarizer and will likely NOT be compatible with your metering or AF systems on a newer DSLR body. Use it manually and it will yield great results.

nekon Loc: Carterton, New Zealand

Linear or circular-both work on digital cameras-it used to be a popular belief than linear polarisers affected auto focus, but has been proven to be untrue=. Polarizers are grey in colour, and you need to
sacrifice two stops in exposure to use one. The front part of the filter can rotate to adjust the
amount of polarization. The proper, intended use for these filters, is to cut glare and reduce
reflections from all materials except shiny metal objects. A polarizer will help you to see through
the glare of a river or a lake’s surface. Wildlife and nature photographers use polarizers sparingly,
to cut the sky’s reflection on animal fur and feathers, and the land itself. To set a polarizer for
such images, you point it at something earthy-brown in colour-this can be a tree bark, dirt, etc.,
then the front lens of the filter is rotated to give the brown dirt a dark chocolate-y colour-then it is
ready to use for your nature, landscape and wildlife images. Polarizers can also deepen blue
skies, making white clouds stand out, but realise that over-use can accentuate noise in blue
skies. To cut glare the camera needs to be at 30 degrees to the water surface, or shop window to
work 100%.To use for darkening the blue in skies, the camera needs to be around 90 degrees to
the sun to have any visible effect, you just turn the front element to the shade you desire

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

first off you didn't state what kind of filter you had and second the designator you gave is for cokin filters.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Cokin also make a "Z" Pro Line.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

That depends, it does not say CP (for circular Polarizer) and it may be a linear Palrizer.

gabe Loc: Mobile, Alabama

I wish to thank each of you for your assistance. I have gotten the address for Zeiss in Germany and have written them regarding this filter. The only lens I have which will accommodate this filter is my 100mm Macro filter which is a FD I use it with an adapter on my Rebel T3i. The P filter does not have a front "Turning" element as do all CPL filters. Once I've received a reply from Germany I will be sure to post it and share it with you. Agsain, thank you.