Thursday
May292008
Using The Cokin A Photo Filter System - Review / Guide
Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 11:25PM 
Pssst! Want to pick up a bargain for your digital camera? Nip on over to ebay and pick up a Cokin A Filter System, they're cheap, very cheap, and oh so useful....So the Cokin A filter system consists of three parts you must get, and an optional fourth:
1) Get the right adapter for the lens thread of your camera (or use a step-up / down ring).
2) Get the holder.
3) Get the filters. The grey grads and polarizers are the most useful - circular polarizers for dSLR's, but a linear polariser works fine on my S5700.
4) Get a lens hood. They look cool, prevent flare, and protect your lens.
Most eBay sellers will sell a job lot of filters and holder - but the adapter ring will probably be wrong, if included at all, so you can get this separately.
The coloured filters, although interesting for playing around in black and white mode, Photoshop is really better for creating these sorts of effects - that way you don't have to compromise on ISO, shutter speed and noise, but they do make for some great effects.
Cheers, Rob.
tagged cokin a, filters, my kit in accessories
cokin a, filters, my kit in accessories
Reader Comments (6)
One thing I forgot to mention in the video and article is that you have to take the optional lens hood off if you want to use the pop-up flash on the Fujifilm S5700 - it gets in the way of the beam. It also can block the low-light level auto-focus helper lamp a little.
Is there a risk of the filters falling out?
No, they're in pretty secure. I've never had one fall out anyway.
Just to make clear what you need: adapter ring (the same size as the filter thread on your camera), filter holder, and filters.
Rob_Nunn, the same size as the filter thread on your camera. Did you mean, the lens diameter?
Hi Mr Loo!
To use the Cokin system you'll need an adapter ring that is the same size as the filter thread on your lens - this is usual designated by a circle with a line through it, or you'll have to look at your manual.
Your Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM has a 77mm thread, and your Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 has a 58mm thread (I think!).
So you'd have to buy two adapters or choose which lens you're going to have your Cokin filters on....
Cheers, Rob.