Advice required on filters

[lmccauley]

After battling with very bright skies and dark buildings recently, I've decided I need a polarising filter, and a graduated filter.

I've had a browse through some threads, and looked at prices at a couple of places, and the Cokin systems look pretty good.

I have a Nikon D50 (i.e. APS-C sized sensor) with a 18-70mm DX lens and a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I may get a 35mm lens, but I don't think I'll end up with anything wider than 18mm on my 18-70.

Would the 'P' series suit me?

The circular polarising filter seems quite expensive (£52 from Hamilton Photographic compared to the Hoya screw-on one for £22 from Onestop digital). Is there anywhere more reasonably priced, still with decent service?

What grad filter or filters should I start with? What's the difference between the "hard", "soft" and regular versions?

Is there anything else I should think about?

Thanks in advance,
Liam

[tontoshorse]

Liam, I risked £2.99 + £1.50 postage for a 52mm circular polarising filter for my D50 in November from Camaccess, via a well known auction site. Came brand new with a case.
It was used on a couple of the Blyth shots.

[stevegreen]

I have had the Cokin circ polarizer as well as a ND filter on order since a few weeks before Christmas from Hilton and no news as yet

The difference between a hard grad and a soft grad is how quickly the graduation decreases, soft it graduates 'softly' and hard it graduates.........well, not much. A hard grad filter is great when you have a constant level skyline such as on the coast shooting out to sea.

I can't wait to get my polarizing filter, patience is a virtue I guess.

[lmccauley]

I've just priced up on Jessops website:

Cokin P Series Filter Holder Kit [out of stock] £10
Cokin 67mm P Series Adapter (P467) £7
Cokin Polarising Filter P160 £30.60
Cokin P Series Grey Grad 2 Medium ND4 (P121M) £13.50
about £4 delivery, I think

Total = £65.

Hmm...

[onefivenine]

I have a 121L (ND2) and a 121M (ND4). The 121L is a bit subtle with only 1 stop reduction - I haven't used it yet!
It can be stacked with the 121M to get 3 stops if necessary though.
The ordinary P series adapter is fine on my 24-70mm but it cuts the sides off the shot on the 10-22mm at 15mm and under.

The P160 is a linear polariser. I've never used one of those - I have a circular polariser which is superb. They do cost a bit more but most people tend to advise to get a circular if you can.

[onefivenine]

It seems Linear polarisers can cause problems with AF and TTL on modern cameras.
I knew there was a good reason for getting a circular one.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tu...larizers.shtml

[lmccauley]

Originally Posted by onefivenine

The P160 is a linear polariser. I've never used one of those - I have a circular polariser which is superb.

Ah, thanks for spotting that for me. I was wondering why it seemed cheaper than everywhere else! Doh!

[T0MAT01]

Originally Posted by onefivenine

people tend to advise to get a circular if you can.

Linear polarizers can cause problems with Auto Focus and Auto Exposure, that's why most people use circular ones these days.

More info about polarizing filters than you'll ever need can be found here.

[lmccauley]

Right, I've priced it up properly from Warehouse Express, and it comes to £92.48 with a circular polarising filter.

I've just looked at 7dayshop, and the Kood version is £30 cheaper!

Hmm...

[h4rri]

Currently have the Cokin system and it is superb. The standard holder will suit you down to 24mm, the ultra wide will suit down to 20mm.

I am about to order some Kood polarisers etc though as I can't find the Cokin versions on-line Have a look at www.hiltonphoto.co.uk, they supplied all the current ones I have and were very good [@SG: Chase em mate, they are normally very good]

[viffer]

Ive got a Cokin P holder which ive had for about 13 years.
Got a Cokin Grey Grad, 2 Kood ND filters and a Kood polarizing filter.
Not had chance to try the ND's or polarizer yet.

[h4rri]

Originally Posted by viffer

Ive got a Cokin P holder which ive had for about 13 years.
Got a Cokin Grey Grad, 2 Kood ND filters and a Kood polarizing filter.
Not had chance to try the ND's or polarizer yet.

In 13 years !!! What have you been doing

[jonnypb]

anyone know if this hoya filter is any good? seems a bit cheap to some of the other hoya filters from uk suppliers

thanks

[bowenjones]

Originally Posted by bubble502

anyone know if this hoya filter is any good? seems a bit cheap to some of the other hoya filters from uk suppliers

thanks

I was just about to post a similar question as I am looking at getting the 77mm and 67mm versions of that for my Canon 10-22 and 17-85mm lenses.

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by bowenjones

I was just about to post a similar question as I am looking at getting the 77mm and 67mm versions of that for my Canon 10-22 and 17-85mm lenses.

I've got the 77mm version and it works well.