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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 4â€
- Graduated Filters 100 x 150mm or 4 x 6â€
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.
Thanks for yours sharing and you just give us a lot answer that’s we want, anyway,
a. do you mind to tell us about the materiel of the A, P, X-pro filter glasses? or it’s just same like the Z series of the organic glasses?
b. what’s the benefit of cokin system if compare with others ?
c. what we need to caution if using of cokin system ?
d. can you please show us the contain of details about the following items ? i means the photo of every pieces of filter in package of Cokin X-Pro W950, W951, W960, W961 ? because i really have no idea what’s ( X121M Graduated Medium Gray G2 Filter ) … thanks
Hi Heng Kum,
a. do you mind to tell us about the materiel of the A, P, X-pro filter glasses? or it’s just same like the Z series of the organic glasses?
– Resin / Plastic. All same.
b. what’s the benefit of cokin system if compare with others ?
– Cokin filter is rectangular shape, you can rotate the holder or pull up and down the position of the filter. You can change just the adapter ring for different lenses.
c. what we need to caution if using of cokin system ?
– Select the correct series, because normally you will just want one series.
d. can you please show us the contain of details about the following items ? i means the photo of every pieces of filter in package of Cokin X-Pro W950, W951, W960, W961 ? because i really have no idea what’s ( X121M Graduated Medium Gray G2 Filter ) … thanks
– I do not have product shots of each of the photo. On the product page, it has given the descriptions of each filter.
I bought the z-series adapter ring, holder, and filters. Considering putting the adapter ring to each of my lenses, and then install the holder and filters when needed. But then, I discover that there’s no accessory like a cap to cover the adapter ring to protect my camera lens. You know of any?
Hi, I’m confuse about applying polarizing filter on the Cokin P series. Since my lens has a 67mm diameter, so I will need to have a adaptor ring with 67mm, but I wonder what size of polarizing filter will fit? is it 67mm diameter also? Can I use those tread conventional polarizing filter on it? (for example: HOYA 67mm CIR-polarizing filter)
Hi Hao,
There is only one size, and it can use upto lens of 82mm filter size.
Bought myself the P series kit… very good and im getting the hang of it just that im using APS-C with 17-50mm – ive noticed that it would only support focal length 28mm onwards.
hi,
what series kit should i buy for my 10-22mm canon?
Hi Dr KOH,
Currently struggling to choose among these few Wide Angle Lens for my D7000 (Nikon 10-24; Tokina 11-16; Sigma 8-16 or 10-20). Any good advice on this?
And about the filters, which ND grad to go for which are commonly used? Does the Cokin system consist of SOFT and HARD types ND grad filters? Heard others been recommending Split ND soft grad filters. What is this actually? Is it available in Cokin system? Is the Cokin’s circular polarizer a “thin mount” type? TQVM
hi there.
i bought myself AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (2.9x) n need an appropriate filter and i need ur suggestion to choose a right filter.
my friends seggest me z series. do u have it
I already have P siries but it to small for thats lens, so i use it on my 18-55 dx.
Hi Nasrul,
You need Z or X-Pro series, but these two series require 3 months waiting time to order.
I am using Canon 60D. Mostly with Canon 18-200mm. What series should I use for this lens? I am also using Canon 50mm and Tamron 70-300mm. All these lens are different filter sizes. Do I have to buy 3 different adapter ring/filter holders?
TQ.
Get P series, or can also consider Tian Ya filter system, same as Cokin P series.
Yes, get 3 different adapter rings for each lens. Just one HOLDER will do.
what is the material of the Holder(Cokin/Tian ya)? is it Plastic or metal?
plastic.
Hi
Thanks for the explaination with regards to the cokin filter. I am using 2 lens nikon 18-200mm VRII and Tokina 11-16mm on my nikon D80. Can I put 2 ND filters at the same time, like the LCW fader filter and Cokin X-pro ND8 on my Tokina lens and what cokin series suitable for my nikon 18-200mm VRII?
thanks