Cokin P Series and Z-pro filters (and others): difference in quality

max11

max11

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Hello everyone.
I've been reading a lot of forum posts and websites about filters.-

I learned that for filters (as well as lenses) you get what you pay.

I arrived to the conclusion to buy a CPL screw-in filter (possibly from B+W,Heliopan, Hoya Pro1) for the 17-70 (as it should be nearly useless for the 12-24), while I'm going to buy a Cokin holder for square system for Grad ND and ND to be used mainly on the 12-24.

As far I read, Cokin filters are not very good (both because made of resin and for a cast effect), while Lee, Schneiders, Tiffen,Singh Ray, Hightech are much better.

Cokin holders are available as P and Z-pro series. The first one with an adaptor shouldn't produce vignetting at 14mm (I am not sure what happens at 12mm and even at 10mm).

The difference in price between P and Z-pro is relevant: considering the kit holder + 3 ND filters, the cheapest I found is £ 40 for P Series and £115 for Z-Pro
Is this difference in price due only to the dimensions or also to the quality of filters? Are the Z series cokins filters as bad as the P ones?

Also because the single Cokin filters cost much more for the Z (£36/50) compared to the P series (£10/16).
I couldn't find it out neither on Cokins website.

I could decide to buy from Cokins only the holder, and then another brands for the filters. Any suggestions?

The Lees filters are 100mm and fit the Cokin Z-Pro holder.
The HiTech are 80mm and fit the Cokin P holder.

Which other lenses fit the Z and which one the P?

thank you a lot
 
The Cokin Z filters are larger than the P, I believe they are 100mm rather than 85mm which is mainly to give a better fit for wide lenses such as a 10-20 or 11-18.

They are more expensive mainly due to size and from what I've read I believe that the filters themselves are less prone to colour cast but I may be wrong.

Money no object then Lee filters seem the best but they are very expensive, the best reccomendation around here seems to be for the Hitech/Formatt filters which are cheap but also very very good!

The popular choice and the one I would be going for if I hadn't been offered Lee Filters, would be the Lee Holder and Hitech Filters!
And when I want to add to the Lee Soft Grads that I am probably going to buy secondhand I will be buying Hitech filters due to the price and quality.

EDIT: Theres an article in this weeks Amateur Photographer magazine about the various ND filters, although some of their findings don't tally with what people here and elsewhere have said about the various brands of filter.

Chris
 
Thank you. so Z pro filters are better then P, but they are still made of resin.
To be able to use the Hitech filters, shouldn't I go for the P holder as the Hichtech filters fit that dimension, while if the Lee filters fit in the Z holder, so the Lee holder shouldn't be fine for the Hitech. Am I wrong?

And If I go for the P holder, what will happen with vignetting at 12 mm(and evem 10mm)?

Thank you
 
Ah ok, so the guy who was experiencing a non-fittting problem bought 100x100 filters for 80x100 (P holder)?
WhY can't I find the HItech website?
neither they look very popular in the British online shops!
Any help?
Sorry this is the last question :-)
 
hi again! write here not to confuse things!
WHich dimensions shall we buy for the HItech? 100 or 100x150?

Have you chosen soft or hard and which ND?
Iread "Hard is best for seascapes as the horizon is nice and straight..........Soft is better for landscapes as you usually have hills and trees on the horizon." but it is not easy to choose.

I _may_ have found the way to have a 20% discount on Hitech filters, if you are not in a hurry to order
 
max11 said:
hi again! write here not to confuse things!
WHich dimensions shall we buy for the HItech? 100 or 100x150?

Have you chosen soft or hard and which ND?
Iread "Hard is best for seascapes as the horizon is nice and straight..........Soft is better for landscapes as you usually have hills and trees on the horizon." but it is not easy to choose.

I _may_ have found the way to have a 20% discount on Hitech filters, if you are not in a hurry to order
Click to expand...

Hi mate, I personally am looking at Soft Filters, (0.3, 0.6, 0.9) just now mainly as thats the Lee Filters I've been offered.

If I go down the Hitech route though I aim to have a set of Hard and Soft Grads (0.3,0.6,0.9) along with some full ND filters.

As for size I think it is the 100mm ones not 100x150, they are more expensive!

20% discount sounds good!
 
chrism_scotland said:
As for size I think it is the 100mm ones not 100x150, they are more expensive!
Click to expand...
yes I know, but I thought that only that size could fit. Better this way!


If we buy a grad ND 100x150, can we use the clear half as a ND?
 
As the grad ND is in the ND family, it could be that the clear half reduces the amount of light in some way. Or is the dark half that reduces?
 
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