Filter system

[chandsa]

Hello all,

I am looking to build a filter system that will work with my D200 and various lens combinations (lens thread sizes of 67mm, 72mm). The two prominent systems out there seem to be Cokin and Lee, there might be others as well, but I have narrowed down my choices to these two.

I would like to know based on your personal experience with using either system:

1. Would you prefer one over the other?

2. If yes, why?

3. It looks like the Lee system seems to be a bit more expensive than the Cokin system. What other performance advantages does the Lee system have over Cokin?

4. If you are using the Cokin system, what size filter holder (Cokin P, Cokin Z-Pro) would you recommend for nature/macro photography? The main concern here is vignetting with the Cokin P system on wide angle lenses. I'd like to hear if you have run into this issue.

Though I'm aware that there are a plethora of software tools available for producing filter effects, I'd rather use the "real" stuff and get it right in the field than sit in front of my computer and play with Photoshop.

Thanks for your suggestions/opinions/thoughts!

Cheers!

[Scott_Hotaling]

What are you planning to do with these filters? Since you're talking about holder sizes and cokin/lee, I'm going to assume graduated neutral density filters and standard neutral density filters. Those are the only types I use regularly and have experience with.

1, 2, 3 - Other. I use the HiTech system. Reasonable prices, quality filters, and everything works well together. I think Lee is over priced and I've always heard bad things about Cokin grads.

4 - Are we talking about grad. NDs here or what? I would never used them for macro work... but, the size I use is the 100mm, 4x5 size. It works well on my full-frame Canon 5D with 17-40 L being the widest lens I use.

As for your last comment, thanks for that, I totally agree with you. Getting it right in the field not only produces easier, more consistent results, but it also produces more natural results in my experience and THAT is the most important aspect.

Hope that helps.

- Scott

[chandsa]

Scott,

Thanks for your message. Yes, I am planning on getting a couple of Grad ND filters for use in mainly landscape photography. Right now I have the Nikon glass filters, but I am finding out that they are not quite upto where I would like them to be. Hence this exercise of building up a filter system for the long run.

And in question 4, I was primarily refering to the size of the filter holder for landscape photography.

Thanks for taking the time to post your answer, I really appreciate it! I will look into the HiTech system as well.

Cheers!

[Scott_Hotaling]

Sai,

A vast majority of the landscape shots on my website (www.LightOfTheWild.com (http://www.lightofthewild.com)) were taken using the setup I described above. It's one of the best I've encountered. I might upgrade to all Singh-Ray stuff someday if I hit the lottery.

- Scott