Question about Filters (the threaded kind, not PS)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/05/2008 01:16:22 AM · #1

So I am looking into buying a ND filter. The main goal is to use it for Sunrise/Sunset photographs. What should I be looking for? Any tips? I've never purchased one, so I do not know what to look for.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

06/05/2008 01:36:50 AM · #2

There are lots of different types of neutral density (ND) filters, so you'll probably want more than one. They come in various shades, graduated, solid, hard edge, soft edge, etc..

I have several Cokin ND filters. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to use. They're a bit more fragile than glass filters so you have to handle them carefully.

BTW, if you can digitally edit the photo, then you donâ��t need ND filters.

06/05/2008 01:50:30 AM · #3

Originally posted by Mick:

I am not really that good on editing, so I really like to do things in camera which I have a better sense of and feel more in control of.

I heard that the Cokin's use cheap glass. How do they compare to Tiffens or B+W? I use a B+W circle polarizer and the image quality is undisturbed with it. Do you see any degrading of quality from the cheaper Cokins?

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

06/05/2008 02:13:17 AM · #4

I use a polarizer for most of my sunsets. It does more than it looks like in the viewfinder for the red areas in the sunset. A gradient ND is good to have in your kit too.
I use a plastic one, but have to be careful about getting it scratched up. The gradient is also good for riding around as a passenger, and shooting snapshots of the countryside. It helps keep the sky from blowing out when you want to shoot detail in shadows on the ground.
Check the manual with your Canon. I think you will find that you can use cloudy day white balance or something similar, which will increase saturation in the colors of the shots of sunsets right in the camera. For some Canon cameras, you can get custom shooting settings software from Canon's website.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/05/2008 02:45:48 AM · #5

I broke down and bought some Singh-ray ND filters w/ the Cokin P Series Holder. Here is to trying out new things!

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

06/05/2008 08:01:19 PM · #6

I also use the P series Cokin with a grad ND. It works good but it seems like a lot of moving parts when I am putting it on or off the lens. It's good with the G ND because I can slide the filter up or down to get the results that I want in a shot. The Cokin holder is a very useful item.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

06/05/2008 09:35:42 PM · #7

Originally posted by jmlelii:

Originally posted by Mick:
There are lots of different types of neutral density (ND) filters, so you'll probably want more than one. They come in various shades, graduated, solid, hard edge, soft edge, etc..

I have several Cokin ND filters. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to use. They're a bit more fragile than glass filters so you have to handle them carefully.

BTW, if you can digitally edit the photo, then you donâ��t need ND filters.

I am not really that good on editing, so I really like to do things in camera which I have a better sense of and feel more in control of.

I heard that the Cokin's use cheap glass. How do they compare to Tiffens or B+W? I use a B+W circle polarizer and the image quality is undisturbed with it. Do you see any degrading of quality from the cheaper Cokins?

I doubt that Cokin's glass is any cheaper than any other manufacturer's glass. The biggest difference in cost is probably the coatings used (or not used), and how those coatings are applied. Most Cokin filters are made from resin (plastic), and I don't think they have any coatings. It may also be true that other manufacturers simply mark their products up more. Greed is. :)

This is how Cokin describes their filter materials:
"It is important that a filter matches the optical precision of a lens. COKIN filters are made of the material best adapted to the filterâ��s ultimate use. Some are made of mineral glass and most Â«AÂ» & Â«PÂ» filters are made of CR39* Organic Glass which is today a reputable lightweight and unbreakable optical material also used for ophtalmic glasses. Organic Z-PRO & X-PRO filters are made of a higher quality Â«3 rd generationÂ» CR 39* specially developed by COKIN."

ophthalmic glasses">

Any piece of glass (mineral or organic) placed in the image path, no matter how optically perfect, will degrade image quality to some extent through diffraction. That's why I eventually stopped using UV filters to protect my lenses.

I have a Canon 72mm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter that costs $109.95, and I prefer to use my Cokin circular polarizer which cost less than half that amount.

Mick