Assuming you have a DSLR, go with a Cokin P-series (or like brand) kit. You will need the ring + filterholder + 84mm rectangular filters. To avoid additional vignetting, use a dremel tool to shave off the last 2 (of the 3) filter slots on the filter holder.
As for filters, if you want the best, go for the Singh-Ray Galen Rowell P-series filters. If you want the best deal, go with the equivalent Hi-Tec filters (all available at B&H Photo)
No need to use a dremel too. Cokin makes a "wide angle" holder that only holds one filter, so it isn't as deep as the regular 3 filter holder and is less prone to vignetting.
Posted by Brent Murphy on June 4, 2007 at 11:01 PM
I have HiTec filters and the wide angle Cokin filter holder. This setup works really well. And HiTec's are a great value. High quality, low price.
Thanks guys. I am shooting with a Canon 20D and have L zooms and a 10-22 EF-s wide so I have been looking at the Cokin system. I will definitly check out the Singh-Ray Galen Rowell filters too.
John
I use the Lee filters and holder; they are large, excellent quality, and have no colour cast at all (some Cokin filters in my experience can have a slight colour cast). 3 filters will however set you back $200+, and the filter holder I think was maybe $50-100. I also have used the hi-tech filters, they are good quality and a good price, reason I swapped to Lee was to use a 4 x 6 size instead of the smaller Cokin P.
I actually switched from Lee to Hitec for the opposite reasons as Nick. I thought the Lee filters were just too big. With Hitec, I was able to get a quality filter, in a more compact size, for less money.
I researched this a while back. Singh-Ray, Lee and Hitec are rated highly. The first two will set you back hundreds of $$. Hitec is the best bang for the buck.
So far I have been using digital blending as a cheaper, more convenient alternative with some good results. But I may still pick up 2 or 3 stop GND. Another trick which I have used when borrowing one was to just hold it up in front of the lens. Ideally it would be nice to get it right before post processing. But there are some who prefer blending like Jesse Speer and has since sold off all there GND filters.
I use both the Hi-Tech and the Singh-Ray filters and I by far prefer the Singh-Ray's. They fit in my Cokin holder more easily, they don't scratch as quickly, they come with a padded holder (which doesn't contribute to scratching), and they just seem to do a better job. If I thought the cheaper Hi-Tech version was almost as good I would certainly stick with that, but I think the extra expense is worth it here.
I use HiTec and they have worked great for me. No color cast. I use 4 of them - the 2 and 3 stop, hard and soft edge. When I shoot digital I just do digital blends (since I'm trying to travel light anyways when I shoot digital... no need to carry extra stuff).
Erik - I take your word for it, but can you explain how the Singh-Rays do a better job? I ask because the HiTecs work just fine for me, so I have a hard time imagining what could be dramatically better. But I'm all ears!
I have the 10-22 on a Rebel XT. I own the P series regular and wide holder, Cokin A series holder (for 55 and 58mm), Cokin and HiTech filters.
The P series wide holder will just squeek by for the 10-22. It doesn't cause any vignetting, but also doesn't allow stacked filters and will not allow you to use a polarizer with the GNDs. It also requires that when the lens is in landscape orientation, you must have the filter square with the camera. If you turn the filter at all, it will clip the edges. If you want more flexibility, the Cokin Z-pro is the same size as the Lee system (100mm or 4X6) and alot less expensive. It appears that Hitech is also making filters in this size now, but they are $22 more per filter than the 85mm size.
I also am thinking about getting another standard P-series holder and trimming it instead of using the P-wide holder I own. One thing I don't like is that the current P-wide holder doesn't have the friction nib on the lens adapter ring slot, so it turns too freely and feels somewhat wobbly.
As far as the filters themselves, I used Cokin GNDs for a long while. They seemed to create a magenta cast, but they get the job done on a budget. Recently, I bought a set of HiTech GNDs. While the hitech filters appear to be more neutral, measuring the RGB values of points in some photos suggests that they might be imparting a blue cast to the image while the Cokin filters were actually retaining a more neutral balance. I haven't played outside yet. I like the look of the hitech shots better right now, so I'll have to keep studying this.
Finally, I use the Cokin padded filter wallet instead of the filter holders. It has felt lined pockets for the filters and has kept mine free of scratches for some time. The little boxes the Cokin filters come in actually scratched some of my A-series filters.
Here is what I was talking about with the Cokin and HiTech results.
The clouds and sky matched the RGB values of the unfiltered image with the Cokin GND. By this I mean the ratios. For example 186,188,187 for a bit of gray cloud with the Cokin GND. The unfiltered image measured 187,187,186 when metered and shot for the sky. Camera set to daylight white balance.
Cokin P121 - roughly equivalent to a 3 stop hard edge Link1
The Hitech images tended to have higher blue value ratios than the unfiltered image. The same bit of gray cloud measured 183,184,202. This ratio was consistent between a 3 stop hard edge, 3 stop soft edge and 2 stop soft edge HiTech filter.
Well, as usual, always trade offs in the camera world! Great comments everyone. After checking Jack's suggestion on 2filters.com I think I will go with the Cokin Z Pro and Hitec .6SL and a .6 hard edge to try this out without breaking the bank. Derek the blend suggestion is well taken also. I think I read Jesses article on that a while back but have yet to try it out. Thanks everyone this has been very helpful as usual!
John
I must agree with Eric. I used HiTec for some time, and they were of decent quality but scratched easily in comparison to sing ray. More importantly, the hitec simply is not long enough with a wide angle lens (17-40L) on a full frame camera like the 5D. The extra 10-mm on the singh ray length provides so much more flexibility in using the filter. I would reguarly have to compromise compositions with the Hitec because they were not long enough to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. I really have nothing against the hitechs, but you might also just save yourself some money in the long run by buying Singh Ray, because ultimately, if you shoot full frame and wide you will buy them.
Thanks Brian, I am sure I will upgrade to Singh-Ray soon enough. I shoot with a 1.6 crop cam now and make fair use of my 10-22 EF-s so I'll see what happens with that lens.
Thanks!
John
Discussion
17 repliesJohn
As for filters, if you want the best, go for the Singh-Ray Galen Rowell P-series filters. If you want the best deal, go with the equivalent Hi-Tec filters (all available at B&H Photo)
John
I researched this a while back. Singh-Ray, Lee and Hitec are rated highly. The first two will set you back hundreds of $$. Hitec is the best bang for the buck.
But for your wide angle lens (10-22mm) you will need the wider filter and wide angle filter holder. Other wise it will severely vignette. Lee has a good wide angle filter holder. Cokin also has one. Check out ebay for great deals on normally expensive lee holders:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-Filters-Holder-and-Hood-2-slot-Rotating-4-4x4_W0QQitemZ140125003640QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30059QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
So far I have been using digital blending as a cheaper, more convenient alternative with some good results. But I may still pick up 2 or 3 stop GND. Another trick which I have used when borrowing one was to just hold it up in front of the lens. Ideally it would be nice to get it right before post processing. But there are some who prefer blending like Jesse Speer and has since sold off all there GND filters.
RichieV
Erik - I take your word for it, but can you explain how the Singh-Rays do a better job? I ask because the HiTecs work just fine for me, so I have a hard time imagining what could be dramatically better. But I'm all ears!
The P series wide holder will just squeek by for the 10-22. It doesn't cause any vignetting, but also doesn't allow stacked filters and will not allow you to use a polarizer with the GNDs. It also requires that when the lens is in landscape orientation, you must have the filter square with the camera. If you turn the filter at all, it will clip the edges. If you want more flexibility, the Cokin Z-pro is the same size as the Lee system (100mm or 4X6) and alot less expensive. It appears that Hitech is also making filters in this size now, but they are $22 more per filter than the 85mm size.
I also am thinking about getting another standard P-series holder and trimming it instead of using the P-wide holder I own. One thing I don't like is that the current P-wide holder doesn't have the friction nib on the lens adapter ring slot, so it turns too freely and feels somewhat wobbly.
As far as the filters themselves, I used Cokin GNDs for a long while. They seemed to create a magenta cast, but they get the job done on a budget. Recently, I bought a set of HiTech GNDs. While the hitech filters appear to be more neutral, measuring the RGB values of points in some photos suggests that they might be imparting a blue cast to the image while the Cokin filters were actually retaining a more neutral balance. I haven't played outside yet. I like the look of the hitech shots better right now, so I'll have to keep studying this.
Finally, I use the Cokin padded filter wallet instead of the filter holders. It has felt lined pockets for the filters and has kept mine free of scratches for some time. The little boxes the Cokin filters come in actually scratched some of my A-series filters.
The clouds and sky matched the RGB values of the unfiltered image with the Cokin GND. By this I mean the ratios. For example 186,188,187 for a bit of gray cloud with the Cokin GND. The unfiltered image measured 187,187,186 when metered and shot for the sky. Camera set to daylight white balance.
Cokin P121 - roughly equivalent to a 3 stop hard edge
Link1
The Hitech images tended to have higher blue value ratios than the unfiltered image. The same bit of gray cloud measured 183,184,202. This ratio was consistent between a 3 stop hard edge, 3 stop soft edge and 2 stop soft edge HiTech filter.
HiTech 3 stop hard edge
Link2
As I said before, I prefer the appearance of the HiTech filter results, but the numbers say that the Cokin is more neutral.
John
Thanks!
John