Choosing Filter Systems - Screw-on vs. Cokin - How to decide?
Dec 21, 2012 14:29:19 #
Choosing Filter Systems - Screw-on vs. Cokin - How to decide?
There seems to be frequent inquiries about the Cokin filter system here on UHH.
I often find myself answering private messages from folks seeking more information and clearer guidance.
For those still trying to determine if they need Cokin style filters ("A" Series, "P" Series or the Z-Pro series) and which filters to buy, here is a summary of my perspective.
It has been said here on UHH over and over, the most important element in taking a good photograph is the eye behind the lens - that's you!
Trying to get better photos just by spending more money on better and more expensive accessories is, quite frankly, a waste of money.
With that in mind, you have determined you need a filter. You already know what kind (circular polarizer, neutral density, graduated neutral density, etc.). So you buy one for your favorite lens. All is good.
Then someone tells you that what you bought is junk, and that another brand (always more expensive) is much better. Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a camera lens filter collector.
Then you hear about the Cokin filter system. It has been around for almost 35 years, since 1978, and remains very popular with professionals and amateurs alike.
But what is it? How does it differ from those filters you screw onto the end of your lens? And why do you need one? All good questions.
What is it and how does it differ...?
The Cokin system is based primarily around square (technically rectangular) filters. Cokin style filters require a holder which is attached to the lens via a simple adapter ring of the appropriate size. Unlike the common screw-thread circular filters, which are each tied to lenses of a specific diameter, Cokin filters can be used with any lens on most any camera that accepts the screw on filters, provided the filters is large enough to cover the lens sufficiently. (Only the adapter ring may need changing).
Why do you need one?
Well, you probably don't. For most folks with a couple lenses, the screw-on type filters are just fine.
But for those looking for more flexibility, for those with over half a dozen lenses, and for those who frequently use neutral density filters, the Cokin system offers distinct advantages.
1) It is less expensive when leveraged across a wide variety of lenses
2) It allows you to adjust graduated neutral density filters to match the image you are trying to capture (alone, or in combination with other filters).
3) You need fewer filters to get the same job done. For example, one circular polarizer is all you need for all your lenses. That's hundreds of dollars in savings and less stuff to haul around.
4) The Cokin system offers the most flexibility and creativity
5) Most commonly used when mounted on a tripod for longer exposures of landscapes, skies, etc.
Why you may not need one?
Well, there may be several good reasons:
1) You prefer to just carry one walk-around lens and hand shoot most things. (A Cokin filter holder with filters can be "clunky" to carry and the filters can fall out if bounced around a lot while carrying your camera from a strap)
2) You rarely take images from a tripod using neutral density filters.
3) You are still learning about filters, what they do, when and how to use them.
Bottom-line:
1) Take your time. (Make haste slowly) Learn as you go.
2) Most all photographers have BOTH systems and use them for different lenses at different times. It is rarely all one or the other.
3) Don't rush out and buy anything just because another photographer tells you to.
4) If you ever find yourself trying to carry around 50 pounds of accessories whenever you leave the house, or you are always leaving 50 pounds of accessories in a drawer at home, when you head out to take a photo, then you may have already learned this lesson:
Don't chase the latest mouse trap until you know you are better than the traps you already own.
That's my two cents. (I just wish I could follow my own advice better than I do....)
There seems to be frequent inquiries about the Cokin filter system here on UHH.
I often find myself answering private messages from folks seeking more information and clearer guidance.
For those still trying to determine if they need Cokin style filters ("A" Series, "P" Series or the Z-Pro series) and which filters to buy, here is a summary of my perspective.
It has been said here on UHH over and over, the most important element in taking a good photograph is the eye behind the lens - that's you!
Trying to get better photos just by spending more money on better and more expensive accessories is, quite frankly, a waste of money.
With that in mind, you have determined you need a filter. You already know what kind (circular polarizer, neutral density, graduated neutral density, etc.). So you buy one for your favorite lens. All is good.
Then someone tells you that what you bought is junk, and that another brand (always more expensive) is much better. Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a camera lens filter collector.
Then you hear about the Cokin filter system. It has been around for almost 35 years, since 1978, and remains very popular with professionals and amateurs alike.
But what is it? How does it differ from those filters you screw onto the end of your lens? And why do you need one? All good questions.
What is it and how does it differ...?
The Cokin system is based primarily around square (technically rectangular) filters. Cokin style filters require a holder which is attached to the lens via a simple adapter ring of the appropriate size. Unlike the common screw-thread circular filters, which are each tied to lenses of a specific diameter, Cokin filters can be used with any lens on most any camera that accepts the screw on filters, provided the filters is large enough to cover the lens sufficiently. (Only the adapter ring may need changing).
Why do you need one?
Well, you probably don't. For most folks with a couple lenses, the screw-on type filters are just fine.
But for those looking for more flexibility, for those with over half a dozen lenses, and for those who frequently use neutral density filters, the Cokin system offers distinct advantages.
1) It is less expensive when leveraged across a wide variety of lenses
2) It allows you to adjust graduated neutral density filters to match the image you are trying to capture (alone, or in combination with other filters).
3) You need fewer filters to get the same job done. For example, one circular polarizer is all you need for all your lenses. That's hundreds of dollars in savings and less stuff to haul around.
4) The Cokin system offers the most flexibility and creativity
5) Most commonly used when mounted on a tripod for longer exposures of landscapes, skies, etc.
Why you may not need one?
Well, there may be several good reasons:
1) You prefer to just carry one walk-around lens and hand shoot most things. (A Cokin filter holder with filters can be "clunky" to carry and the filters can fall out if bounced around a lot while carrying your camera from a strap)
2) You rarely take images from a tripod using neutral density filters.
3) You are still learning about filters, what they do, when and how to use them.
Bottom-line:
1) Take your time. (Make haste slowly) Learn as you go.
2) Most all photographers have BOTH systems and use them for different lenses at different times. It is rarely all one or the other.
3) Don't rush out and buy anything just because another photographer tells you to.
4) If you ever find yourself trying to carry around 50 pounds of accessories whenever you leave the house, or you are always leaving 50 pounds of accessories in a drawer at home, when you head out to take a photo, then you may have already learned this lesson:
Don't chase the latest mouse trap until you know you are better than the traps you already own.
That's my two cents. (I just wish I could follow my own advice better than I do....)
Dec 22, 2012 05:38:42 #
Dec 22, 2012 07:46:16 #
Dec 22, 2012 14:56:31 #
Dec 22, 2012 16:32:37 #
Thanx Festina,
I needed that advice as I'm now in the
market for filters. Again...thanks !
I needed that advice as I'm now in the
market for filters. Again...thanks !
Dec 22, 2012 17:03:04 #
Dec 22, 2012 23:21:25 #
I''m taking my skills up a notch and have bought a Circular Polarizer, Variable Neutral Density. Next is the Cokin Graduated Neutral Density system. I'm taking the ' Trip of a Lifetime' next May for 10 weeks in Alaska. I don't want to get there and wish I had this or that.
Dec 23, 2012 10:57:53 #
TdogKing wrote:
I'm glad this helped. And Alaska is a great location for any photographer. Have fun.I''m taking my skills up a notch and have bought a Circular Polarizer, Variable Neutral Density. Next is the Cokin Graduated Neutral Density system. I'm taking the ' Trip of a Lifetime' next May for 10 weeks in Alaska. I don't want to get there and wish I had this or that.
One note: Did you research your variable neutral density filter before buying? While very convenient and an attractive idea, they do have a several downsides (like most anything in photography) that you should be aware of.
1) They can trick your light meter into providing the wrong exposure (dueling polarizers).
2) The unwanted "X- factor".
Variable neutral density filters work by using two polarizing filters that are opposed to each other to lessen the amount of light passing through. This opposition has its limits (limited darkening) and this limitation shows up in the form of vignetting, and usually not the desirable type some people add to images. It turns into a white X (blackened top and bottom) that is difficult to adjust in post processing.
3) Variable NDs are thicker (deeper) than other screw on filters and can cause some normal peripheral vignetting when using a wide angle lens.
4) Generally the less expensive the filter, the more severe these limitations become. But even the highly regarded Sing-Ray Variable ND ($350 to $450 depending on size) can suffer from these effects.
All that said, they are generally a good convenient alternative to buying several NDs or stacking them too deep on your lens. This is one area where the Cokin filter system offers an advantage (along with its inherent disadvantages).
BTW: While I have taken my Cokin filters to Alaska, I found that I did not often need a ND, and when I did a screw-on ND filter worked great (more mobile, and easy to remove and put in my pocket when hiking).
Dec 23, 2012 21:43:09 #
Thanks for your information ! I did research but like most reviews etc they sway back and forth on both sides making it confusing even more. I'm going to use and decide myself in the coming months and be ready to leave at the end of May.
Dec 23, 2012 22:06:21 #
Dec 23, 2012 22:23:26 #
gonate
Loc: sacramento,calif
Xtreme66 wrote:
Excellent post Festina Lente, thanks for the insight.
Beside all of the above problems ,your camera will focus a lot slower than normal, thus you will use more battery than normal. even if you manual focus you still have to be carefull.
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