Help with filters and fittings

Beav · 25 Jan 2013

Hello. Im looking at getting some filters. I was told to buy adaptor rings and then spend the money on good quality cokin filters? Im wanting to get the cokin style mounting rings/adaptor so I don't need to buy the same filters to fit different lenses.

I just want a filter to help bring out the sky in my photos for now then slowly build up my collection.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

EDIT: Just ordered these. Now I just need some filters.

markmullen · 25 Jan 2013

As a starting point you'll want some ND grads, to hold back your skies. Choices in order of increasing quality and cost are Cokin, Hitech and Lee.

I'd get a 3 stop hard edged grad and maybe a 2 stop soft to start with. One stops are rarely useful IME and with those two you've got a good start for a lot of situations.

Beav · 25 Jan 2013

I will look in to this. Apparently I have too do a little work in order to get the adaptor/mount to fit as ile be using them on a 10-20mm wide angle lens :/ Below 15mm the outer clamp causes vignetting.

markmullen · 25 Jan 2013

On an ultrawide like that I'd look to get 100mm filters, Either Hitech 100, Cokin Z Pro or Lee, to avoid vignetting at wide angles.

Beav · 25 Jan 2013

markmullen said:
On an ultrawide like that I'd look to get 100mm filters, Either Hitech 100, Cokin Z Pro or Lee, to avoid vignetting at wide angles.

Already ordered the adaptor now. Ile just use it 15-20mm when using filters. Someone I know did say they will explain how to adjust the adaptor so it doesn't cause vignetting.

markmullen · 25 Jan 2013

Beav said:
Already ordered the adaptor now. Ile just use it 15-20mm when using filters. Someone I know did say they will explain how to adjust the adaptor so it doesn't cause vignetting.

You can get pattern holders off ebay for a couple of quid, cheap enough to take a hacksaw to them if required. It doesn't give you the choice of stacking filters though. I use 100mm Lee filters and can stack 2 without vignetting at 17mm on full frame, around 10mm on your 400d

Beav · 25 Jan 2013

markmullen said:
You can get pattern holders off ebay for a couple of quid, cheap enough to take a hacksaw to them if required. It doesn't give you the choice of stacking filters though. I use 100mm Lee filters and can stack 2 without vignetting at 17mm on full frame, around 10mm on your 400d

The holder/adaptor I got was only £4

Just looked at 100mm adaptor and the cheapest ive found is £70 :/