Digital Photography Blog - Cokin Filter System

Digital Photography Blog - Cokin Camera Filters

COKIN CAMERA FILTERS
www.go.to/Cokinfilters

How It Works

The COKIN square system is suitable for most all lenses of SLR cameras (35 mm, APS or Digital), Medium and Large format cameras, Video/ Broadcast cameras, Slide Projectors, including most wide angle lenses in all those applications.

The universal FILTER-HOLDER is adaptable to all lenses, thanks to a simple adaptor ring.

To fix the FILTER-HOLDER onto your lens you need an adaptor ring.

Screw the appropriate adaptor onto the lens

Slide the filter holder on the adapter ring until it snaps in place. The filter holder is now solidly attached to the lens, yet it can rotate both left and right. Then, you slide your filters into the holder

The one closest to the filter holder housing is the narrowest; it allows the use of round filters with notched edges (polarizer, star filters..). The two central slots are intended for square filters. The outer slot can be used either for an additional filter or for a coupling ring.

There are 3 different Series in the COKIN System. Basically, the size to be used depends on the outer diameter of your lens : the larger it is, the larger the holder you must go to.

We recommend you go with the "P" system on your SLR

To ask a technical question you can go to Yahoo's Cokin Filter Club for help.

Advantages of square filter systems

Cokin filters were invented by professional photographer, Jean Cokin, and are now the world's leading range of special effect filters suitable for SLR, video, medium and large format camera systems. By using square filters, which fit into a holder and are attached to a lens via an adapter ring, the photographer has a number of immediate advantages:

A: There is no need to duplicate filters to fit different size lenses

B: Up to three filters can be used at once to create unique effects, the photographer has control over the positioning of the effect on the photograph.

Inventors are born curious, and Jean Cokin was no exception. Almost before he learnt how to walk, he learned how to tinker with the shoemaker tools of his father's workshop.While other children played at games, Jean played at inventions.

In 1955 he began his love affair with photography, freelancing for 18 years with such prestigious magazines as Elle, Marie-Claire, Jours de France and Vogue.

Like most professional photographers at the time, he was dissatisfied with the filters available to him.So he began to experiment by making filters for his own use.To his delight, Cokin was successful. In creating the Cokin Filter system he developed the first universal filter holder. To share his exciting discovery with the world, he formed a company, Cromofilter SA,in 1973, to distribute the Cokin Creative Filter System.

For the first time, professionals had a functional filter system. For the first time amateurs could take the kind of photos they thought only professionals were capable of. Jean Cokin has opened up a new world of creative photography to everyone.A world that he is anxious for you to visit.

System A for lenses between 36 and 62 mm in diameter is recommended for focal length over 35 mm. Cokin `A' system filters can be attached to most Camcorders providing the camera exposure meter is TTL (Through the lens.) and that the camcorder microphone does not obstruct the front of the lens where the filter system attaches. I recommend "A" filters for use on most digital cameras and camcorders only.

System P is strongly recommended. It's adaptor rings are available in diameters ranging from 48 to 82 mm and eliminates vignetting (dark edges) common with using the "A" filters.

Inside measurement

X-Pro Series has been specially developed for professionals using medium or large format cameras and the 'extreme' lenses used by broadcasters, videographers and photographers. It is available in diameters ranging from 62 mm to 112 mm , and will fit lenses with diameters up to 118 mm with the Universal Adapter Ring.

NEW - Z-PRO SERIES

New - 100mm filter size from COKIN.

Fits all 100mm holder systems (LEE®, etc...)

100mm x 100mm (= 4"x4") -> range of 68 different filters (plain).

100mm x 150mm (= 4"x6") -> range of 17 different filters (graduated).

System "A" rings come in the following diameters; 36/37/39/40.5/41/42/43/43.5/44/46/48/49/52/54/55/58/62mm and Hasselblad special rings.

System "P" rings in 48/49/52/55/58/62/67/72/77/82mm and Hasselblad special rings.

If you use a TRIPOD, you always have time for a second shot with a filter!!

Coupling Ring

The coupling ring let's you attach a second filter holder allowing you to use more than three filters at once. You can also orientate square filters in different directions. Or move a centered filter father away from the lens for a larger circle. Or other filters that are best used when placed far forward like pastels and diffusers and the pre-shaped framesto name a few

NOTE: Not for use with wide angle lenses.

What is vignetting ? How to avoid it when using filters ?

Vignetting can be caused by any extension in the front of the lens (filter, lens shade, etc...) and may result in producing black edges on the picture. Consequently, you must check that any accessory put onto the lens is large enough so that it does not appear in the angle of vision. For example, when using the COKIN CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM, if the filter size of your wide-angle lens is Ø62 mm, you should go for the «P» Series, much larger, despite the fact that the «A» holder could physically fit this Ø62mm lens.

The Coupling Ring will also attach to the modular hood.

Modifying a Cokin Holder

Unmodified Cokin P holders have a tendency to vignette on wide angle lenses (i.e., their front edges appear in the angle of view). That's because they have three slots, and that front slot is a long way from the front element of the lens. To "fix" this problem, buy an extra holder and modify it:

Make a cut through the middle of the second slot on each side of the holder. Discard the portions you cut off.

Sand the remaining edge that sticks up on each side so that it is "flat" with the front of the first slot's holder. (See photo, below)

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