Filter setups????

CrippledSandwich · 10 Feb 2010

Hi

I’m not sure of the technical name/s but I’m interested in the square type filters, I have never used them before and know very little about them so any info would be really handy. Are they better in your opinion to the circular filters? And what sort of set up will I need?

Thanks

Chris

markw08 · 10 Feb 2010

You will need a filter holder, an adaptor ring to fit your lens and filters...

Square type filters are better as they allow you to use graduated filters and move the filter up or down to align the filter with the horizon or to cover certain areas of the photo....

Jim.R · 10 Feb 2010

What type of filters are you interested in using?
Or alternatively, what sort of stuff do you shoot? You may not need filters at all.

sjh2008 · 10 Feb 2010

Lee are considered the best when it comes to filters, expensive but excellent quality

I use a lee filter holder and Hitech filters as they are a bit cheaper but not too far off quality wise

There is also Cokin filters + holders which are cheaper still
Generally you get what you pay for

CrippledSandwich · 10 Feb 2010

Jim.R said:
What type of filters are you interested in using?
Or alternatively, what sort of stuff do you shoot? You may not need filters at all.

well i have 58mm polarizing filter at the moment,can i upgrade that to the square style? and would i see much of a difference?

i love shooting landscapes and sunsets but i like the sound of the gradient filters and the naturial density filters.

CrippledSandwich · 10 Feb 2010

sjh2008 said:
Lee are considered the best when it comes to filters, expensive but excellent quality

I use a lee filter holder and Hitech filters as they are a bit cheaper but not too far off quality wise

There is also Cokin filters + holders which are cheaper still
Generally you get what you pay for

can i use a filter holder from one make and then use filters from other makes in the same filer?

Jim.R · 11 Feb 2010

If you've already got a "screw-on" CPL, there will be no benefit upgrading to one in a filter holder unless you're upgrading the filter to a much higher quality one. CPLs get very expensive at the top end, especially for use in a holder as they're physically much bigger than your current one.

If you're after some ND grads, then a filter holder is the only sensible way to go. You can buy screw in ones, but obviously you can't move where the graduation line lies which will constrain your composition somewhat.

As for mixing brands, the two common sizes that square filters come in are 85mm (Cokin P) and 100mm (Cokin Z-Pro/Lee). You can buy holders in these sizes from the manufacturers mentioned plus a whole load of Chinese copies on evilBay. Once you've got the holder, you can buy filters (of the correct size) from whoever you want.
Lee are probably the best but have a price tag that reflects this, Cokin and HiTech (also known as Formatt) are not far behind and a good bit cheaper. Some people claim the Cokins give an odd purple cast to their pictures though, and on that basis I chose HiTech. Very pleased with them so far as well.

CrippledSandwich · 12 Feb 2010

Jim.R said:
If you've already got a "screw-on" CPL, there will be no benefit upgrading to one in a filter holder unless you're upgrading the filter to a much higher quality one. CPLs get very expensive at the top end, especially for use in a holder as they're physically much bigger than your current one.

If you're after some ND grads, then a filter holder is the only sensible way to go. You can buy screw in ones, but obviously you can't move where the graduation line lies which will constrain your composition somewhat.

As for mixing brands, the two common sizes that square filters come in are 85mm (Cokin P) and 100mm (Cokin Z-Pro/Lee). You can buy holders in these sizes from the manufacturers mentioned plus a whole load of Chinese copies on evilBay. Once you've got the holder, you can buy filters (of the correct size) from whoever you want.
Lee are probably the best but have a price tag that reflects this, Cokin and HiTech (also known as Formatt) are not far behind and a good bit cheaper. Some people claim the Cokins give an odd purple cast to their pictures though, and on that basis I chose HiTech. Very pleased with them so far as well.

Thanks so much Jim thats really helpful