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03/26/2010 04:55:38 PM · #1 |
I am going on holiday soon and am planning on taking lots of landscapes. I currently use Cokin filters, often stacking two together. Issues that I have had over the last few years have included lens flare, a strong colour cast when stacking, unable to use with filter holder at 10-13mm, and most importantly, scratching. All my filters are scratched - I am probably not the most careful of people (cack-handed is how some might describe me..), they tend to get scratched because the filter boxes break, or are difficult to manage with cold fingers, or because as I am trying to juggle camera and lens and cable release etc I stick the filter I have just used straight in pocket.
So, as I need to replace the two ND grads I have, is it worth swapping to the Lee system. Two questions -
a. are the Lee filters worth the 4 or 5x price hike
b. do Lee filters scratch as much as Cokin
c. has anyone found a pouch or similar that easier to manage than the cokin filter boxes
d. what strength of ND would be most useful to me for landscape work?
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03/26/2010 05:09:08 PM · #2 |
| Silly me, I thought this was a thread about a fight between to graduates from Notre Dame University named Lee and Cokin. ;-) |
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03/26/2010 05:51:05 PM · #3 |
| Ha, probably more exciting. I am off to bed now, but will check-in in the morning to see if anyone has dropped any pearls of wisdom! |
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03/27/2010 01:00:34 PM · #4 |
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03/27/2010 01:14:17 PM · #5 |
I'm hoping that someone answers, Sara, because I don't have any ND filters, and I do need at least a graduated one...
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03/27/2010 01:53:14 PM · #6 |
Lee ones are bigger and better.
It depends on the size of your lens and what you can get away with. The Cokin P series are ok, but the holders are built like crap and they fall apart and for some reason have really sharp corners. Also, if you have a lens wider than 20mm, you'll see very ugly vignetting, so then you'll need the bigger version.
basically, if you can afford them, get Lee's. If you can't, get Cokin and deal with it. |
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03/27/2010 01:59:55 PM · #7 |
I dont have much experience with Cokin but steered clear from it after some advice from a photographer I respect. Lee filters I have and am very happy. They are gel type filters and yes in time they will wear. I Am very carefull when using the...but how carefull can you bee once you are in the field or mountains...in a big rush when the light fades:)
Apparently the Singh ray(spelling) made from glass are more durable but Very pricey. Havent explored this as yet as they are not available here in SA.
Be sure to buy the wide angle adapter ring if you are in landscapes or else you will have the same problems with vignetting as with Cokin
Good luck and bring the pics home |
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03/27/2010 02:18:06 PM · #8 |
I've never used Lee filters, but I used to use Cokin and I experienced the same thing: lots of scratches and a strong magenta cast when stacking. I finally had enough and took the plunge and bought Schneider 4X4 ND grads. They're made of glass and are 4mm thick, twice as thick as the Lee or Cokin filters. The 4X4 filters are about $180, if you need 4X5, they're around $300.
I use the Schneider glass filters with the Lee filter holder. Here are some links:
//www.filmtools.com/schneider-nd-filters-4x4-graduated.html
//www.popflash.com/index.php?p=product&id=3687
Edit to add that Formatt make glass ND Grads that are a little less expensive.
//www.filmtools.com/formatt-nd-hardedge-hd-4x4-bf-4-hend-ghd.html
Message edited by author 2010-03-27 14:19:47.
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03/27/2010 02:23:51 PM · #9 |
I guess I should have read your entire post. :-) I can only answer question D. If you only get one ND Grad, get a 0.9 which is a 3-stop grad. I think it would be the most useful. I currently have a 0.6 and 1.2, but I think I could get away with just a 0.9.
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