Hi. I know this is a Canon site but I am curious about Cokin filters. If you stack too many together do you get image deterioration? Also, because they are not "stuck" on front lens is there any glare or reflections in photos? I know that light is reduced depending on filter. I am thinking of purchasing "P" size filter holder to use with my EOS 50 and 28-105mm lens. Thanks all!

-- Latham P (latport@hotmail.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

Cokin filters are not highly regarded for their optical quality. As they're uncoated there is a reflection risk, yes.

I don't know about stacking. It's commonly known that Cokin P holders vignette even without filters when used with wide-angle lenses - the black plastic holder blocks the light.

I've cut off the outer two slots on my P holder with a hacksaw to avoid vignetting with 20mm lenses.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 07, 2002.

The Cokin filter holder is a great design. I also have clipped off the two outside slots of a holder to use with wide angle lenses. I don't use Cokin filters in these holders, however.

Cokin filter are of extremely poor optical quality. They can be used with wide angle to short telephotos without too much compromise of image quality (as long as you don't try to enlarge the image too much). On long lenses, they are painfully inadequate. That's as nice a comment you're likely to get from me concerning Cokin filters. I have a box full of them I used when I didn't know any better. I don't use them anymore.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), May 07, 2002.

Lee. If you don't use Cokin filters in the P holder what do you use? Another better quality filter?

-- Latham P (latport@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

I use a Hitech split grad with the Cokin holder. Hitech provides very good quality at a very good price (compared with Singh Ray filters).

With the 28-105, you should not have to saw off any slots on the holder (need to with a 20-35).

These guys are a little cheaper than B&H and are very helpful (it took 1 or 2 trys for them to get the order right, but they were very nice about it): www.2filter.com/

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), May 07, 2002.

Thanks Kenneth. I checked out the website and the Hitech filters seem well priced, but unfortunately I'm in Australia and can't obtain these. Thanks for your help, looks like I'm stuck with the low quality stuff down here.

-- Latham P (latport@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

The only filters I find useful in the Cokin holder are the Singh-Ray graduated ND filters. Other brands of filters are made to fit the holder as well--all likely to be superior to the Cokins.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), May 07, 2002.

Lantham:

Hitech is made in England, so if they are available in one ex British colony (like NYC), they may be available in another ex British colony.

Ken

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), May 07, 2002.

I too have bought HiTech resin filters for use with my Cokin P holder. You can buy fancier holders from other makers, but they tend to be really expensive, which is why I have the hacksawed Cokin one.

I personally did not have a good experience with the Filter Connection, however. I might consider buying from them again if they had something that B&H didn't and time wasn't a priority, but I had to buy a filter locally because of their messing around.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), May 07, 2002.