Filter Holders

[roteague]

I lost my Cokin P Series filter holder a couple of weeks ago, and I checked with both local camera, but neither had any in stock. So, I was thinking about just replacing my Cokin filters with the Lee set. Should I go for the extra expense, or just order a new Cokin P Series holder from the mainland.

 

[eric]

I lost my Cokin P Series filter holder a couple of weeks ago, and I checked with both local camera, but neither had any in stock. So, I was thinking about just replacing my Cokin filters with the Lee set. Should I go for the extra expense, or just order a new Cokin P Series holder from the mainland.

Man! I've been on the same boat for about 6 months now. I'm really thinking of a Lee system but parts are expensive. What I was thinking of, is getting the cheesy "rubberband" system and get the filter kit. That way, if I have $$$, I'll get the foundation kit and appropriate holder.

Then I was thinking hoods, and I thought....hmm, I can make a hood with foam core, gaffer's tape and matt knife. MyGyver rules!

 

[Baxter Bradford]

Robert

This 'upgrade' was one of the first things I made with money raised from selling my prints. It isn't a cheap move, but one that I am pleased that I made. The ND grads are more neutral than my Cokin P, not that i had noticed manyproblems beforehand, it was just the way the pictures looked. Furthermore I do not know anyone who has switched who regrets the move.

Essentially I did tally chart from Joe Cornish's First Light book to give a priority ranking, since I was on a budget.

So I have ND hard grads in 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, 0.9. I then added ND Soft grad in 0.45 and 0.9 which are useful for water. A Kaisemann polariser with rotating ring, Joe uses Heliopan, I got B+W. Warm up in 81B, 81D and an 85C (which I have used 4 times in 3 yrs...), I then went off piste and got an 81B to clear soft grad. I use this inverted to warm up foreground without altering colour of sky. I reasoned that the softer grad would taper out in a subtle way into the haze present on the horizon.

Also a B+W set which are alright but flimsy. Apart from this B+W issue, I haven't bought any more in 2.5 yrs.

Make sure that if you do make the move, that you get Wide Angle adaptors for lenses of 120mm and less.

Sorry to spend your hard earned money like this, but your superb pictures do deserve it!

 

[roteague]

Robert

This 'upgrade' was one of the first things I made with money raised from selling my prints. It isn't a cheap move, but one that I am pleased that I made.

Thanks Bax. I think I am going to go that route, although I don't need as many filters as you do. Basically, I use 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, soft grad NDs. My other most used filter is an 81B - I will also add an 81A. Occasionally, I use a Tiffen Warm Polarizer, but I prefer B&W filters. The 81B to clear soft grad sounds interesting; I never thought of using one. Good suggestion about the Wide Angle adaptor - I have a 90mm Nikkor which is tough to use (but I have a ground glass from Satinsnow on the way). I think I am eventually going to replace this with a Schneider 80mm XL lens - I'm going to replace all my lenses (except my 135) with the Schneider equivalent. FWIW, Joe's influence is one of the reasons I want to go with Lee - his "First Light" book is one I take everywhere with me.

 

[Baxter Bradford]

Hi Robert,

The 81B grad does work well inverted, I can see it being effective with your Hawaiian skies.

If you like to match sky with water you will use a 0.6 often, I prefer sky to be 1/2 stop lighter and thus use the 0.45 far more than the 0.6. There is no issue stacking these grads to get effect you want, either in register or staggered. Friends have used 5 1/2 stops to good effect in one shot, still retaining Neutrality.

If you are thinking about the XL lenses, please check about how they work with filter holders. Some need the push on holder which adds more expense and more to fit in your bag....

The new Joe Cornish book is due out this June where he presents the Scottish coastline. Hoping to see some of his shots from this later this week, when on a LF workshop with him in Cornwall. Suspect we will need something far stronger than an 81B to get our beaches as warm as yours!

Bax

 

[roteague]

The new Joe Cornish book is due out this June where he presents the Scottish coastline. Hoping to see some of his shots from this later this week, when on a LF workshop with him in Cornwall. Suspect we will need something far stronger than an 81B to get our beaches as warm as yours!

Bax

Awesome. I'll be on the lookout for it. Tell Joe he has a fan in Hawaii and give him my best.