Cokin Filter System | home | How It Works | Questions | Links | Exposure chart | Creative Project Ideas | Books | Buy Cokin filters | Photo albums | Cokin Color Chart | Cokin Users Guide
How It Works
The COKIN square system is suitable for most all lenses of SLR cameras (35 mm, APS or Digital), Medium and Large format cameras, Video/ Broadcast cameras, Slide Projectors, including most wide angle lenses in all those applications.
The universal FILTER-HOLDER is adaptable to all lenses, thanks to a simple adaptor ring.
To fix the FILTER-HOLDER onto your lens you need an adaptor ring.
Screw the appropriate adaptor onto the lens
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. Then, you slide your filters into the holder
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.
There are 3 different Series in the COKIN System. Basically, the size to be used depends on the outer diameter of your lens : the larger it is, the larger the holder you must go to.
We recommend you go with the "P" system on your SLR
To ask a technical question you can go to Yahoo's Cokin Filter Club for help.
Advantages of square filter systems
Cokin filters were invented by professional photographer, Jean Cokin, and are now the world's leading range of special effect filters suitable for SLR, video, medium and large format camera systems. By using square filters, which 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, the photographer has control over the positioning of the effect on the photograph.
Inventors are born curious, and Jean Cokin was no exception. Almost before he learnt how to walk, he learned how to tinker with the shoemaker tools of his father's workshop.While other children played at games, Jean played at inventions.
In 1955 he began his love affair with photography, freelancing for 18 years with such prestigious magazines as Elle, Marie-Claire, Jours de France and Vogue.
Like most professional photographers at the time, he was dissatisfied with the filters available to him.So he began to experiment by making filters for his own use.To his delight, Cokin was successful. In creating the Cokin Filter system he developed the first universal filter holder. To share his exciting discovery with the world, he formed a company, Cromofilter SA,in 1973, to distribute the Cokin Creative Filter System.
For the first time, professionals had a functional filter system. For the first time amateurs could take the kind of photos they thought only professionals were capable of. Jean Cokin has opened up a new world of creative photography to everyone.A world that he is anxious for you to visit.
There are over 140 filters to choose from in the range.
Designed to eliminate unwanted reflections and darken skies.
Add color to a scene by using a Cokin graduated filter to enhance a dull sky, or use a Sunset filter to add warmth.
Ideal for portraits, still life and landscapes, to create a moody atmosphere and a softer effect.
Add warmth to a portrait shot, giving improved skin tones.
Color Filters
Color correction filters are available, as are Neutral Density filters and filters specifically designed for use with black and white film.
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.
System A, System P or XPro and now NEW - Z-PRO SERIES
System A for lenses between 36 and 62 mm in diameter is recommended for focal length over 35 mm. Cokin `A' system filters can be attached to most Camcorders providing the camera exposure meter is TTL (Through the lens.) and that the camcorder microphone does not obstruct the front of the lens where the filter system attaches. I recommend "A" filters for use on most digital cameras and camcorders only.
System P is strongly recommended. It's adaptor rings are available in diameters ranging from 48 to 82 mm and eliminates vignetting (dark edges) common with using the "A" filters.
    Inside measurement
X-Pro Series has been specially developed for professionals using medium or large format cameras and the 'extreme' lenses used by broadcasters, videographers and photographers. It is available in diameters ranging from 62 mm to 112 mm , and will fit lenses with diameters up to 118 mm with the Universal Adapter Ring.
NEW - Z-PRO SERIES
New - 100mm filter size from COKIN.
Fits all 100mm holder systems (LEE®, etc...)
100mm x 100mm (= 4"x4") -> range of 68 different filters (plain).
100mm x 150mm (= 4"x6") -> range of 17 different filters (graduated).
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.
System "P" rings in 48/49/52/55/58/62/67/72/77/82mm and Hasselblad special rings.
|
|
If you use a TRIPOD, you always have time for a second shot with a filter!!
|
To ask a technical question you can also go to Yahoo's Cokin Filter Club