Are Cokin Filters really that bad?

I mostly shoot on black and white film and I would like some filters maybe some ND Grads and a Red filter. I know that many people say its better wait and buy a brand like Lee but it would be years until I have the funds or that if ever. I don't have or use expensive equipment and mostly I've been happy with my collection of thrifted and toy cameras as I'm not someone looking for a pristine image.

 

Advice elsewhere seems to imply better to use no filter than a Cokin P series for example but are they really that awful?

Cokin is and has been a respected manufacture of optical filters widely used by professional and amateur photographers. Be assured they will work well for your applications.

I second that. It's all I use these days. The savings on using 1 CP for all your lens will pay for the system over and over. I bought the belt bag and generally bring as much as I can when shooting on the go.

You can watch EBay for a small set of Hoya.

Patience and attention to reputation on EBay pays off.

But I have used Cokin as well for over 35 years with no complaints.

I tend not to be a fan of the big frame attachments, opting for the simple round screw on type.

Edited November 29, 2018 by Moving On

I have shot color slide film with both a red filter and blue filter (half and half) for special effects, and the results came out very nice. I didn't see any difference in sharpness using the filters.

a red filter and blue filter (half and half) for special effects

What would likely be termed by some ... wait for it ... non-digital manipulation ... oh, the horror, the horror. :eek:

You're only going to get grad filters in resin or plastic. Glass ones just aren't made. So Cokin brand is as good as any.

 

When new, these filters are very good. You just have to be careful not to scratch them, since the resin material is quite soft and delicate. Do not use a microfibre cloth to clean them. Use lens tissues or eyewear wipes, and only then when it's essential to remove a smudge. Use a blower brush to get rid of loose dust.

You're only going to get grad filters in resin or plastic. Glass ones just aren't made. So Cokin brand is as good as any.

 

When new, these filters are very good. You just have to be careful not to scratch them, since the resin material is quite soft and delicate. Do not use a microfibre cloth to clean them. Use lens tissues or eyewear wipes, and only then when it's essential to remove a smudge. Use a blower brush to get rid of loose dust.

Indeed. I would also advise removing them from the generic Cokin box, as the filters float around in there and get scratched where the two halves of the box meet, where there can be a sharp edge.

Nuances Extreme Reverse Graduated ND8 - 3-stop

 

Glass, but priced like diamonds.

A better, more general reference.....

NUANCES Extreme Filters for every Adventure

Nuances Extreme Reverse Graduated ND8 - 3-stop

 

Glass, but priced like diamonds.

I bought my last four cameras combined, for less!

Are these gelatin between glass filters? It only says glass, but not what is inside.

No.

Coating on glass.

 

CokinCokin NUANCES P Series Soft-Edge Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 Filter (2-Stop)

Edited November 30, 2018 by Moving On

Hoya and Tiffen are good as well.

No.

Coating on glass.

 

CokinCokin NUANCES P Series Soft-Edge Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 Filter (2-Stop)

 

- OK. It looks like the ND element is a thin evaporated metal coating, overcoated with AR layers to make it more robust. I can see why they're expensive.

 

Worth it over a resin equivalent? I'm not convinced.

Probably only for heavy professional use.....

Indeed. I would also advise removing them from the generic Cokin box, as the filters float around in there and get scratched where the two halves of the box meet, where there can be a sharp edge.

 

Good suggestion here. A practical solution, is to use a CD case to hold the filters - each filter has its own sleeve, and requires much less overall space.

 

If you have lots of money to spend on toys, its easy to criticize lower-cost alternatives. But for many of us, its either the low cost option or nothing at all.

“If you have lots of money to spend on toys, its easy to criticize lower-cost alternatives. But for many of us, its either the low cost option or nothing at all.“

 

Concerning glass vs other materials.....

It isn’t a finance based criticism.

It is a simple discussion of the reality of the merits of one filter over another.

New developments have allowed for a more durable product.

One that until just recently wasn’t available.

As the price comes down, if it does, more people will be able to take advantage of the improvements.

Simply an individual choice of cost vs gain.

Some people eat out enough to pay for one of those filters in less than a month.

Cigarettes, gas, and alcohol.....

Simple matter of personal choice and priorities....

Cokin is and has been a respected manufacture of optical filters widely used by professional and amateur photographers.

 

Absolutely!

 

For many applications, especially ones that are rarely used, (in my case, a graduated filter in ruby red), even the generic ones on eBay can work just fine.

 

If it is something you use all the time (like the grad ND in some English landscapes), then it probably is worthwhile to get the very best.

Another firm similar to lee is hi-tech but really you use these firms if you have 24mm lenses or wider as they have special adapters so that there is no vignetting

You're only going to get grad filters in resin or plastic. Glass ones just aren't made. So Cokin brand is as good as any.

 

When new, these filters are very good. You just have to be careful not to scratch them, since the resin material is quite soft and delicate. Do not use a microfibre cloth to clean them. Use lens tissues or eyewear wipes, and only then when it's essential to remove a smudge. Use a blower brush to get rid of loose dust.

 

 

Tiffen makes them.

They can work well and I used them years ago when I used a lot more filters than I do today.

 

You need to be careful to shade the filters in many shooting situations. The large air space between filters allows sun or even lamp light to get behind the filters and bounce around. Sometimes this only reduces contrast but others it can cause more serious (or interesting depending on your view) problems. If you are already using cheap and/or plastic cameras, I don't think that this is any kind of concern.