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Hi folks. I'm just thinking about buying a set of graduated neutral density filters - looking at the Lee system, and also the Cokin Z-Pro set. The Cokins are a bit cheaper, so I wondered what the quality was like. Is anyone using them?

Thanks

Brian

When I shot MF I used Cokin P-Series; and I never really felt that they were truly neutral.

Looking at the range of filters Cokin offer from the link you sent, I think you'll find that Lee offer a far greater range of densities and transitions, and Lee will dip custom grads for you if you wish.

The Cokin filters are famous for not being entirely colour-neutral with all films, and to give odd greenish or purple tones in the sky.

It is said that the newest ones are better, but they still suffer from a dodgy reputation...

Anyway I use Lee filters whenever I use filters at all. So far I have no complaints at all - they may be more expensive than Cokin, but they inspire confidence at a totally different level (I have a set of Cokin P, which I only use when I want to use the "weirder" colours that I don't (yet) have in Lee).

Brian, Cokin are infamous for their magenta-flavoured ND filters. If you want a lower cost option than Lee, with a good, neutral ND, then look at Formatt Filters Hitech range; they also do a good price for UKLFPG members attending the workshops. Teamwork have a list of their retail prices on their site but let me know if you are interested as we can get them direct from Formatt.

As to holders, IMO, the Lee system wins hands down as it allows you to have one holder mounted in front of another, both of which can be rotated; thus allowing for a polariser and a grad at different angles. Having said that, the Cokin Z holder seems a good deal, provided you only want one filter rotating.

Thanks for your impressively speedy comments - pretty consistent with what I'd gathered from elsewhere. Joanna - I've sent you a PM.

Another filter question... for the Lee holder, would I need to get a wide angle ring for use with a 90mm lens (on 4x5)? Is there any risk of cut-off using a standard ring? Thanks. B

Brian Parkinson wrote:Another filter question... for the Lee holder, would I need to get a wide angle ring for use with a 90mm lens (on 4x5)? Is there any risk of cut-off using a standard ring?

In a word, yes especially if you use the double holder for a grad and a polariser.