Cokin Filter Series Guides

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Many have asked about Cokin filters, how to use it…which one should I buy…what are the needed items…etc.

Here I have decided to write a short blog on Cokin filters. Some of the info are obtained from Cokin websites.

The Types

From small to big: Cokin A Series, P Series, Z Series and the latest X-Pro Series.

A Series – 36mm to 62mm

Recommended for lenses between 36 and 62mm in diameter with a focal length over 35mm. Cokin square filters fit into a holder and are attached to a lens via an adapter ring, the photographer has a number of immediate advantages:

a) there is no need to duplicate filters to fit different size lenses,
b) up to three filters can be used at once to create unique effects,
c) the photographer has control over the positioning of the effect on the photograph.

How the Cokin System works

1. Screw the adapter ring onto your lens. System “A” rings come in the following diameters; 36/37/39/40.5/41/42/43/43.5/44/46/48/49/52/54/55/58/62mm and Hasselblad special rings.
2. Slide the filter holder on the adapter ring until it snaps in place. The filter holder is now solidly attached to the lens, yet it can rotate both left and right.
3. Slide the filter into one of the filter holder slots. The one closest to the filter holder housing is the narrowest; it allows the use of round filters with notched edges (polarizer, star filters..). The two central slots are intended for square filters. The outer slot can be used either for an additional filter or for a coupling ring.

Most popular filters – There are over 140 filters to choose from in the range.
The most popular are:

1. Polarizers – Designed to eliminate unwanted reflections and darken skies.
2. Graduated – Add colour to a scene by using a Cokin graduated filter to enhance a dull sky, or use a Sunset filter to add warmth.
3. Pastels and Diffusers – Ideal for portraits, still life and landscapes, to create a moody atmosphere and a softer effect.
4. Warm-up Filters – Add warmth to a portrait shot, giving improved skin tones.
5. Colour Filters – Colour correction filters are available, as are Neutral Density filters and filters specifically designed for use with black and white film.
6. Optical effects – There is a wide range of filters available to add special effects to photographs, such as Starbursts, Multi-image, close-up, Rainbow, Double exposure etc.

P Series – 48 to 82mm

For larger diameter lenses up to 82mm. Recommended for focal lengths from 28mm onwards(35mm format). A wide range of adaptor rings, including dedicated Hasselbad® B50/B60/B70, Rollei® VI as well as a Universal Ring and numerous dedicated accessories (Holder Cap, Ring Cap, Universal Ring, Coupling Ring, Wide Angle Holder, A/P & Z/P Adaptors, Modular Hood, Modular Bellows, Wallet & Storage Boxes, etc.).
P Filter-Holder
The P Filter-Holder is the ideal Filter-Holder to avoid vignetting on 35mm format lenses. Up to three filters can be used to create a unique effect.

P Wide-Angle Holder (BPW-700) P299:
This extra slim holder helps to eliminate vignetting down to 20mm focal length. Can hold 1 filter (can be a polarizer) and allows the use of filters with super wide lenses (focal lengths under 20mm) 35mm format.

There are over 140 filters to choose from in the range. The most popular are:

1. Polarizers – Designed to eliminate unwanted reflections and darken skies.
2. Graduated – Add colour to a scene by using a Cokin graduated filter to enhance a dull sky, or use a Sunset filter to add warmth.
3. Pastels and Diffusers – Ideal for portraits, still life and landscapes, to create a moody atmosphere and a softer effect.
4. Warm-up Filters – Add warmth to a portrait shot, giving improved skin tones.
5. Colour Filters – Colour correction filters are available, as are Neutral Density filters and filters specifically designed for use with black and white film.
6. Optical effects – There is a wide range of filters available to add special effects to photographs, such as Starbursts, Multi-image, close-up, Rainbow, Double exposure etc.

Z Series – 49mm to 96mm

Aimed at the professional and enthusiast photographer, the Z-PRO series total over 80 different filters including coloured, centre spots, pastel/ diffusers to graduated and neutral density filters.
Z-PRO filters are available in two different sizes. The plain filters, i.e. coloured, centre spots and pastel/diffusers measure 100x100mm in size and the graduated filters 100x150mm. All Z-PRO filters are manufactured from high quality CR39 organic glass and fit the Cokin Z-PRO holder system.
There are 2 x Z-PRO kits available: ND-Grad and ND/Blue/Tobacco. A selection of adapter rings from size 49mm through to 96mm, plus Hasselblad B60 and B70 and Rollei V1 are also available.

• Standard Filters 100x100mm or 4 x 4”
• Graduated Filters 100 x 150mm or 4 x 6”

X-Pro Series – 62mm to 112mm

With a 170mm x 130mm filter size, the Cokin X-PRO series has been created to offer the professional photographer a comprehensive range of filters that can be used on medium and large format camera systems, as well as extreme wide angle lenses used by photographers, videographers and broadcasters.

The X-PRO system makes vignetting a problem of the past and with over 60 filters in the range.
Holders: made of lightweight material, the holder has a exclusive Ring Locker System . Developed by Cokin, the system ensures that the holder can be secured in a certain position and that the filter is kept parallel to the lens. If the photographer requires the filter to be rotated, this can also be achieved.
Adapter rings: available in sizes from 62mm to 112mm and will fit diameters of lenses up to 118mm with a 4-point universal ring. Aimed at the professional and enthusiast photographer, the X-PRO series total over 80 different filters including coloured, centre spots, pastel/ diffusers to graduated and neutral density filters.

* 170mm x 130mm
* Excellent optical transmission
* Eliminates the problem of vignetting
* Fits many different types of lenses
* Choice of over 60 filters
* Wide range of adapters

In Short, if you are using 135 format or 35mm format, you should get Cokin P series. If you want to use on Ultra Wide Angle lens (below 28mm in 135 format), you need the X-Pro Series, which is the latest series from Cokin for digital wide angle photographers.

What You Need?

First thing you need to do is to select the suitable series to your needs. Take note that filter from different series are not interchangeable. You can use P filter on A holder nor vice versa.

Cokin Filter System consists of the 3 most basic items: Filter + Filter Holder + Adapter Ring. Additional accessories are like Hood (to shade sunlight and reduce reflection or ghost), filter holder (can hold few pieces of filters in a holder), etc.

(In the picture above, from left to right: Filter + Holder + Adapter Ring + Lens + Camera)

Filter – The most basic filters that one can try out are:

Cokin H250A ND Graduated Filter Kit P Series, with Filter Holder & Graduated ND Filters #121L, 121M, 121S

RM185.00

Cokin H210 Landscpe Filter Kit-1 P Series (Filter Holder, Warm 81-EF #37, B2 Gradual Blues Soft #123S, Sunset 1 #197)

RM165.00

Holder – To hold the filter, maximum 3pcs for P holder and to connect to adapter ring.

Adapter Ring – Comes in different sizes. If your lens filter diameter is 77mm, then you should buy the 77mm adapter ring. If you have another lens with 52mm filter size, just purchase an extra 52mm adapter ring. You do not need to purchase two set of filter, just change the adapter ring will do.