KeithAndrews.TV
Well-known member
I recently wrote up a quick review here at DVXUSER on the Cokin P Series neutral density filters as well as the holders that Cokin makes. Although I do highly recommend the holders and accessories from Cokin, I would not recommend the neutral density filters for still, or video work.
My test results were very disappointing with the Cokin P Series ND filters for two reasons. One, the filters have a magenta, or purple hue to them, which obviously affects the image that you are photographing, or filming. Two, the filters have a strange convergence effect on the light passing through the filters. Similar to zooming to 100% with a wide angle converter lens that isn't fully zoom-through. This is especially noticeable when using a telephoto lens. My tests used a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
I was able to send the Cokin filters back to B&H for a full refund, and decided to do a little more reseach on "other" brands of resin filters that I could use with my existing Cokin holders. Remember, my beef wasn't with the Cokin holders, or pouch, or adapter rings, but more isolated to the resin filters, specifically the Series P neutral density filters.
After having done some more research online I read a lot of great things about HiTech, so I decided to give them a try. I promptly ordered them at the beginning of the week and received them a few days later. This time, instead of ordering a 0.3, 0.6, and a 0.9, I ordered a 0.6, and a 1.2. I figured, the sum of the two filters equals the same light filtering capability of using the other configuration, but I wouldn't need to stack as many to get the same level of filtration. I also figured that I should be able to get close to what I need in filtration power with the two different levels, versus the three. It was also cheaper to order just two filters, as opposed to three. Keep in mind that the HiTech filters (~$35) are close to twice the cost of the Cokin's (~$18), but the cost is so low that it is worth the extra money to spend to get the HiTechs.
The following represents some initial testing I performed using, again, my Canon 7D with the EF 70-200mm lens. I shot the four photos on a tripod, indoors at ISO 100, f/5.6 and varied the shutter to achieve the proper light level. I believe this ranged from 1/40th of a second, to 1/800th of a second. I used the tungsten white balance preset and did not change the white balance between shots. The ND filter I used was the HiTech 1.2.
I have to say without a doubt, that theses filters perform very well. Very sharp at all focal lengths, and only a very slight color cast as far as I can tell. You be the judge.
If you would like to read my initial review of the Cokin Series P filter holders and filters click the following link:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=189551
70mm, no ND
70mm, HiTech ND1.2
100% crop, 70mm, no ND
100% crop, 70mm HiTech ND1.2
200mm, no ND
200mm, HiTech ND1.2
100% crop, 200mm, no ND
100% crop, 200mm, HiTech ND1.2
My test results were very disappointing with the Cokin P Series ND filters for two reasons. One, the filters have a magenta, or purple hue to them, which obviously affects the image that you are photographing, or filming. Two, the filters have a strange convergence effect on the light passing through the filters. Similar to zooming to 100% with a wide angle converter lens that isn't fully zoom-through. This is especially noticeable when using a telephoto lens. My tests used a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
I was able to send the Cokin filters back to B&H for a full refund, and decided to do a little more reseach on "other" brands of resin filters that I could use with my existing Cokin holders. Remember, my beef wasn't with the Cokin holders, or pouch, or adapter rings, but more isolated to the resin filters, specifically the Series P neutral density filters.
After having done some more research online I read a lot of great things about HiTech, so I decided to give them a try. I promptly ordered them at the beginning of the week and received them a few days later. This time, instead of ordering a 0.3, 0.6, and a 0.9, I ordered a 0.6, and a 1.2. I figured, the sum of the two filters equals the same light filtering capability of using the other configuration, but I wouldn't need to stack as many to get the same level of filtration. I also figured that I should be able to get close to what I need in filtration power with the two different levels, versus the three. It was also cheaper to order just two filters, as opposed to three. Keep in mind that the HiTech filters (~$35) are close to twice the cost of the Cokin's (~$18), but the cost is so low that it is worth the extra money to spend to get the HiTechs.
The following represents some initial testing I performed using, again, my Canon 7D with the EF 70-200mm lens. I shot the four photos on a tripod, indoors at ISO 100, f/5.6 and varied the shutter to achieve the proper light level. I believe this ranged from 1/40th of a second, to 1/800th of a second. I used the tungsten white balance preset and did not change the white balance between shots. The ND filter I used was the HiTech 1.2.
I have to say without a doubt, that theses filters perform very well. Very sharp at all focal lengths, and only a very slight color cast as far as I can tell. You be the judge.
If you would like to read my initial review of the Cokin Series P filter holders and filters click the following link:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=189551
70mm, no ND
70mm, HiTech ND1.2
100% crop, 70mm, no ND
100% crop, 70mm HiTech ND1.2
200mm, no ND
200mm, HiTech ND1.2
100% crop, 200mm, no ND
100% crop, 200mm, HiTech ND1.2
