Buyers’ guide
Cokin
intro2020.co.uk
forgetting the filters Cokin became famous for in the 1970s, like starbursts. And they make a wide range of more traditional screw-in filters, too. Also, Cokin has recently introduced a 100mm filter holder system, the NX-Series, which is compatible with other 100mm systems.
of Schott glass, while Cokin’s newer Nuances Extreme filters are constructed from hard mineral glass to make them more rugged. There are lots of filters available, from technical ND and IR cut filters, through to creative ones. These are in lots of colours, soft focus effects, grads and more. Not
Cokin introduced the first commercially successful creative filter system in 1978. As lens sizes grew, Cokin’s offerings got bigger, but all based on the same technology that is commonplace today. Those original filters were made of resin and are still popular, but the Nuances range is made
Kase
Tiffen
kasefilters.com
tiffen.com
Tiffen is one of the world’s best-known filter manufacturers, making a massive range of top- quality, yet affordable filters in screw-in and slot-in designs. Tiffen knows how to build great products and dates right back to the start of cinematography and photography in the 1930s. Perhaps the most useful for filmmaking is the variable ND filter range, offering between a 2- and 8-stop range of adjustments. The XLE Series of IRND filters are also useful, as they reduce light pollution, especially during long exposures. They’re ideal for stills shooting and also work well for filmmakers. As well as screw-in filters, Tiffen offers a full range of professional, 4x5.65in drop-in filters – and is especially known for its range of coloured grad filters that are used in lots of high-end TV and film productions.
H&Y
phototeq.com
The K-Series magnetic filter holder system is at the heart of the H&Y range, which is fast and easy to use. You buy the universal magnetic filter holder kit and the right adapter rings for your lenses. The ring screws on to the front of the lens, then the filter holder clips straight on and the filters are then magnetically attached to the front. It’s very quick and easy to do, and you can easily stack filters on top of each other. There is also a circular polariser, which is easily rotated to achieve the desired effect. Most of the filters are 100x150mm, but there are some drop-in circular options, like a variable ND. H&Y also offers magnetic circular filters that are even more compact. And to solve the problem of carrying loads of adapter rings for differently sized filters, there’s the Revoring – a size-adjustable ring that fits lenses of differently sized filter threads. There are versions for 37-49mm, 46-62mm and 67-82mm threads. This allows you to have one Revoring and a larger filter to fit various lenses.
are made from optical glass and have high-quality nano coatings. They come in a range of ND strengths, plus protection filters against UV and light pollution. Using clip-in filters does adjust the focal distance and focusing system. However, this doesn’t cause any issues in manual mode if you focus via screen or LCD, or use autofocus modes. Kase also offers toughened glass 75mm, 100mm and 150mm drop-in filters, as well as a range of accessories and holders. If you want something more compact, the Wolverine range of circular filters uses a magnetic
Kase has some interesting filter options, rather than just circular, screw-in filters or rectangular drop-in versions – although it does make these. Perhaps the most interesting are the clip-in filters for Sony Alpha and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras – certainly two of the most popular systems for filmmaking. Instead of going on the end of the lens, these clip on over the sensor itself, so there is no restriction on the lens used. Weighing only 3.3 grams, these compact filters
step ring system. You buy the filter
and adapter ring to fit the largest lens in your arsenal, plus step-down adapters to fit the filter to smaller lenses. You simply screw the adapter ring to your lens, then the filters and step-down rings are magnetic, so fasten on without fuss.
Issue 89 | Photography News 33
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