Matte Box/Filter Systems for Nikkors: Cokin, Lee, etc.

[Ralph Oshiro]

Okay, go ahead and make fun of me, but I think I'm going with Cokin Z-Pro filters, filter-holders, and matte boxes. All I'm getting are a linear pola, a full set of NDs, and a full set of ND grads (in both hard and soft lines). Since I'm only shooting with relatively small-form factor Nikkor lenses (gotta check if the Z-Pro filter will cover my 14mm Nikkor, though), I really don't see the need for a heavy, expensive film-style mattebox. The adapter rings are cheap enough that I can just leave one on every lens I own. Also, I can get most of the rotation and positioning necessary to move grads around using 100mm Cokin filters, and you sure can't beat the price of this stuff.

Now, go ahead and take your best shot . . .

[Ralph Oshiro]

"ND Filters and MTF:
We also tested ND/gray filters by MTF. Here, we compared three types of filters; multicoated glass filters (Hoya and Nikon), Kodak Wratten gelatine filters, and Cokin's plastic filters. The glass and gelatine filters yielded almost identical results in the MTF procedure. None of them gave any noticeable loss of sharpness. The MTF curves for the lens looked almost exactly the same whether or not there was a filter attached. Cokin's gray filter are made of plastic, and this filter gives a noticeable loss of sharpness. There is also astigmatism. Our advice is: use glass or gelatine filters ONLY if you want a ND or gray filter." --From an article in the Swedish journal FOTO (Aktuell fotografi), no. 3, 1992

Hmmmm . . .

"Which material are COKIN filters made of?
It is important that a filter matches the optical precision of a lens. COKIN filters are made of the material best adapted to the filter’s ultimate use. Some are made of mineral glass and most «A» & «P» filters are made of CR39* Organic Glass which is today a reputable lightweight and unbreakable optical material also used for ophtalmic glasses. Organic Z-PRO & X-PRO filters are made of a higher quality «3 rd generation» CR 39* specially developed by COKIN" --Cokin website FAQ."

I don't know why Cokin calls "CR39" organic "glass." CR39, according to a quick Google search, is polycarbonate (plastic). I thought Cokin offered their entire line in real glass as well.

[Ralph Oshiro]

So I may go with Lee's system instead. Although I found it interesting that Tiffen makes glass filters for Cokin's P-series holders.

[Stephen Williams]

[I]"

I don't know why Cokin calls "CR39" organic "glass." CR39, according to a quick Google search, is polycarbonate (plastic).

Hi Ralph,

It's called marketing. That's why there's room for 'respectful sceptics'.

Stephen

[Ralph Oshiro]

Yup, Stephen. Marketing! Anyway, I was surprised to learn from a B+H search that Tiffen, Lee, Singh-Ray, and Hitech also make filters for Cokin P-series holders. Kinda need the Z-Pro size though for the grads.

[Paul Hazlett]

I saw a very interesting demo at the tiffen both at NAB for software based
filters for all tiffen filters in a very neat little package. it was very impressive
and you have the ultimate in flexibility and it works inside FCP, I believe.

Not to say its the death of Glass filters, just like Red won't be a film killer.

yet.

[Evin Grant]

Beware of the Cokin flexable bellows shade. I owned the Lee version of that many years back for my Hasselblads and it lost it's "Memory" and very quickly started to sag. I also have the Lee neutral Grad set and it's awesome, I shaved the 4"x6" to 4x5.65" so it fits a standard filter stage on my Chrosiel 41150.
The lee optical resin seems just as sharp as any of the glas filters I use and it's lighter and thinner too.

[Ralph Oshiro]

Not to say its the death of glass filters, just like Red won't be a film killer.
Well, without an internal ND filter wheel, EVERY RED owner will need a full set of NDs, and some way to hold them, regardless. I started this thread to help vet out some of the lower-cost alternatives to full-sized matte box systems, since a few of us are starting out using only small, Nikkor prime lenses (and the occassional Nikkor long lens and zooms).

[Ralph Oshiro]

Beware of the Cokin flexable bellows shade. I owned the Lee version of that many years back for my Hasselblads and it lost it's "Memory" and very quickly started to sag.
Good to know, Evin. I had been considering that Lee bellows shade, too, as a matter of fact. Thanks for the head's up!

[chuck colburn]

I've seen some nice compendium (sp?) shades for med. & lg. format still cameras go pretty cheap on ebay. Perhaps one could rig one up to these smaller filter holders.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mamiya-RB67-RZ67-Compendium-Bellows-Lens-Shade_W0QQitemZ280116398436QQihZ018QQcategoryZ3352 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Ralph Oshiro]

I've seen some nice compendium (sp?) shades for med. & lg. format still cameras go pretty cheap on ebay. Perhaps one could rig one up to these smaller filter holders.
Great find! Yes, the Mamiya bellows has always been in the back of my mind to reinvestigate (I used to own a complete RB67 system). The lens-mounted Mamiya unit has a very cool design element in that it has its own integrated "mini-rail" to support the bellows extension.

. . . Yeah, just checked at B+H. Mamiya now makes two bellows models. But the big limitation is it can only accomodate a maximum 77mm front diameter lens filter thread, and 3" x 3" filters. Not large enough for wide lenses or for the effective use of grads.