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D

DDirector

Veteran
Where I live, there is only one small camera shop. They don't have a large selection of anything. I was looking at getting some filters (ND & CPOL) I might as well get both as they are used for different purposes.

Now, the only filters they have at the store are 'Optex' & 'Camlink'. I have never heard of these names.
Are these filters any good? Reliable?
If not, which filter brand should I be looking to get instead?

*I want a 77mm with a stepdown ring to a 58mm, but I don't see any stepdown rings at that size.


SECONDLY, is it better to get circle filters that screw into the lens or square filters?
 
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Check and make sure (Google will be your friend), but you may need to stack a few step-down rings together.

I've heard of Optex, but they tend to produce cheap "aftermarket" stuff for cameras. Never heard of Camlink though.

Conklin is a good brand name, as well as a few others that I can't think of at the moment... :)

And as far as screw-in circular or slide-in square filters, it will all depend on your needs. Do you want to change the filters regularly on the lens, or is it just going to be put on and forgotten? The slide-in ones tend to be better for tripod work and the screw-in ones for hand-held and on-the-go sort of work.

Hope this helps, and anyone correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm just going by what I've observed by researching them (filters). :)
 
So, Optex is... meh. I have not heard of Conklin.

I heard Hoya is good, but never heard them being used as ND or CPOL filters.
I have heard somewhere that Tiffen ND filters are good, but the price is insanely high (for square).
Same as B+W

*Oh, I finally found a Step-up up ring 58-77mm. Good they have it.
 
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I think what Timbit meant was COKIN not conklin.. :-)

I been using Cokin for a long time and they are ok. One of the useful filters you should get is an ND grad.

Unless you have a mattebox or a holder, circular filters are ok for Pola. For grads I find the square ones useful. I do use it in my DIY mattebox tho.
 
I think I would be better off with a square filter with a holder instead of screw on filters. It seems to be a bigger hassle taking them on and off.

*While writing this, I found an issue. I wont be able to use lens hoods will I? Not it would be nice to have a matte box. Maybe if I find a really cheap one, I may consider it.

*I just found another issue. Taking photos with a matte box will be another hassle. For video, its not a problem.
 
For square filters you'd either need a mattebox or a filter holder like the kind from Cokin. But yeah, I don't think there's really a way to use a lens hood with a filter holder, except for maybe taping the lens hood to the filter holder??? Not sure...
 
pianoboy said:
For square filters you'd either need a mattebox or a filter holder like the kind from Cokin. But yeah, I don't think there's really a way to use a lens hood with a filter holder, except for maybe taping the lens hood to the filter holder??? Not sure...
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Lets not. I guess I'll stick to circle filters. But, I dont really know if I will be using a hood. I dont have any now anyways.
 
teddybear said:
I think what Timbit meant was COKIN not conklin.. :-)
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Thank you for the correction, teddybear. :) Conklin is the name of the company that has the midway at our local fair this weekend. :D I'm all in a tizzy over this weekend--very busy and involved in it with 4-H and photography.

DDirector said:
While writing this, I found an issue. I wont be able to use lens hoods will I?
Click to expand...
Would a filter with double-sided threads work with a lens hood? I'm thinking hard here... :)
 
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Having a filter on the lens will not interfere with the lens hood. The hood screws onto the lens, not the filter. So, having a hood will not be a problem.

Now that I think about it, I don't want round ND filters. Its going to be a big hassle screwing them on and off constantly. (Please no dirty thoughts. haha) I am going to be sticking with square filters and a holder, but with this I will not be able to use a hood.. which sucks. :undecided


I am assuming that if I want to use a POL filter, I should get a round CPOL filter,
correct? - Which brand, does it even matter?
If I have a CPOL filter on my lens, can I have it on always instead of buying an additional UV filter... or will it always have its effect even when on its lowest setting?

As for the square ND filters, what size filters should I get?
Is it better to use a filter holder or buy a small mattebox with flags?
 
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