copladocus

Contemplating diving into the ND filter photographic world. Saw this kit on B&H's site and thought to ask y'all for opinions. No, it is not the vaunted B&W filter brand but will it provide acceptable results??? The product is at https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1271052-REG/cokin_ch3ho25_p_series_graduated_neutral.html
Just noted these are graduated... Thoughts on Cokin ND filters in general? Tiffen?
Also... What is your opinion of the variable ND filters???
Thanks

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

Cokin filters are thought to be a fare filter set and a very good filter set for the money. Lee and Breakthrough Photographic are generally thought to be among the best filters, as a set, but you will pay high prices for these two brands.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I prefer filters that screw on. B&H has Tiffen filter sets for reasonable prices. I find nothing wrong with them for occasional use.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674658-REG/Tiffen_52NDK3_52mm_Digital_Neutral_Density.html

repleo Loc: Boston

Variable ND filters are OK for experimenting with, but not recommended for any serious work. They are easier to use because you can open them up to focus and then close them down to shoot. However, they can produce a 'Maltese Cross' vignette across the frame , particularly on wide angle lenses and/or the higher densities. Get the largest size you will ever need and use step rings for your smaller lenses.

Before purchasing, check out Breakthrough Technology's web site. Their ND filters are amongst the best -(25 or 30 year warranty), but more important, they have a very good Long Exposure Guide and a good ND Filter buying guide. ND numbers are very confusing. Some manufacturers go by '3 stop, 6 stop' etc. Some go by X1000 etc.

https://theartofphotography.lpages.co/52-page-long-exposure-guide/
https://breakthrough.photography/pages/nd-buying-guide

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Looks good to me (the Cokin set). I don't trust variable ND because of the X factor.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

In a discussion regarding Variable ND filters that I had with an optical technician at B+W, avoid them. They can cause problems and those problems can be unpredictable. They can be used at certain f-stops, but not others-sometimes. Based on the advice not to buy their own product, I purchased regular B+W ND filters.

To see a good example of the issues that Variable ND filters can cause, go to google and search images for

issues with variable density ND filter

There are some very good examples.

--Bob

copladocus

You are at least eh second to NOT recommend the variable ND filter. Coherent reasons. I will be crossing them off the list. Thanks.