Mike, If you're contemplating filters, I bought mine from the US. They are a clone of the Cokin system http://www.cokin.com/ that attatches to the front of the lens. I paid around $98 for the P series adapter, polarising, Graduated Tobacco and neutral denisty filters. Cost from an Oz dealer for genuine Cokin system and filters was $275. The advantage of the cokin (or in my case clone) system is that you can slide the filters up or down to compensate for overly bright skies etc, and the filters can be stacked as well in the holder.
Last edited by acropolite; 16-11-2005 at 07:43 PM.
The polarising filter is used to increase the contrast of the sky. The sky becomes a deeper blue and clouds whiter when the filter is rotated. Polarising filters are also good for removing glare. The graduated filters are used to tone down the sky for images where the sky would be overexposed and/or the foreground underexposed, i.e. sunset, sunrise or overcast skies. I can't post example images as the IIS site is not responing well at the moment. I will look up the details and post further.
I've only just started using the graduated filters and the results are much improved. I will find some samples and post together with pics of the various bits...The adapter ring goes on the lens, the p adapter slides on to the filter ring and the filters (mostly square but can be round) slide in to the P adapter. I will be buying a grey neutral density 6x and possibly a blue graduated in the near future. The ND would be very useful when imaging waterfalls to allow longer exposure times giving a nice soft effect to the falling water. BTW the image I have posted in the November photo challlenge was taken with a polarising filter.
Last edited by acropolite; 16-11-2005 at 07:19 PM.
Mike get the Cokin's, definitely worth the 275. Although I can get a set for much cheaper. They are on my list straight after I get my next lens a ultra wide prime for doing landscapes.
Good filters to have though are a UV filter to protect your lenses. If they get scatched just chuck them away, can't do the same with the lenses. Polarisers also great for semi creative stuff, but my favourite filters are my ND filters. They produce great results and allow so much more than many other filters. Just depends on what you are doing.
With the UV filters, if they're always in place, do the other filters (ND/etc) screw into the UV, or do you need to take one out to put the other one in?
How much are the UV filters locally? Is there a good, cheap local supplier for camera stuff, or are these overseas ebay shops the cheapest and best option?
I always remove the UV filter and replace with the Filter I want to use. When I am done, I replace the UV filter.
As to price it depends on size of lens, but they range from $50-75. I use Photographic wholesalers in Adelaide. They are a pro shop and have everything that a pro or amateur photographer might want. I am sure Sydney has something similar.
Mike, here are some pics of the Cokin system, in my case a clone but identical all the same. They were recommended to me by a friend who has a mix of genuine and clone filters and was impressed at the quality of the cheaper items from the US. The filters are Left-Right, Graduated Tobacco, Circular polarising and Graduated Neutral density. The P adapter can hold 3 filters stacked. The P adapter rotates on the screw threaded T adapter to allow for focussing. All up cost was $98 for what you see.
Last edited by acropolite; 16-11-2005 at 07:45 PM.
As you asked Mike here are a couple of samples (resized straight from the camera no editing).
1. Image no filter
2. Image with Polarising filter
3. Image w/o filter
4. Image with graduated tobacco filter.
The UV would be best bought as a screw on and the P adapter screwed on to that as yjr UV Filter will be left on most of the time. You can get step down adapters as well. Not sure about the hood but I think there may be some available to slot in to the P adapter. Cokin make a clip on shade piece that can be stacked. http://www.pictureline.com/product.php?id=2410
Correct, but the system as a whole is very flexible, you simply can't slide a graduated filter up and down (or left & right or diagonally) with a screw on filter. The P system also allows stacking and changing of filters very quickly. For example, take your shot of the sunset @ the 12 apostles. With a cokin type system you could slip in one (or more) of graduated filters and rotate the adapter diagonally to dull down the overexposed section at the upper left of the image.
Thanks Phil, I soooo wish I had some filters (well, including my DSLR! ) for the 12 apostles shots.. i'm disappointed about the overexposed areas but it's too late now
P Series filters Holder for Cokin NEW
Sunset filter for Cokin P Series NEW
58 mm filters ring for Cokin P Series.
Filter Case for Cokin P Series NEW!
Grey ND 6x filter for Cokin P Series NSW!
Circular Polarizer for Cokin P series NEW!
Gradual grey filter for Cokin P Series NEW
US$95 for the lot (postage not included), pretty good value I think. postage should only be about $10-$15.