Can I use different brands of square ND filters in the same holder?
Asked 4/26/2020
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I’m new to ND and graduated ND filters for long exposures and I’m trying to understand square filter systems. If I buy a Cokin P-series holder, can I use square filters from other brands in that same holder, or do the holder and filters need to be the same brand?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
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All square filter holders function about the same way: there is the holder and some sort of spring/tension plate holding the filter into the slot in the holder. I use a Formatt-Hitech holder which looks like this:
You can see how the plastic curves inward and it is flexible so that you can slide a filter in and tension holds it in place. This concept applies to most filter holders.
So, you can use any filter that fits the width of your holder as long as it also fits the depth of the retaining slots. In the image above, you can see that the slot is 2...maybe 3mm widest. I could use a filter that fits the width of the holder as long as it is no more than 3mm thick. Any thicker, and it may not fit into the holder - forcing this could damage your filter, holder, or both.
It is generally safest to go with the manufacturer's filters, but as long as the brand you are buying fits in length, height, and depth, there is no reason it wouldn't work.
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Usually yes. With square/rectangular filter systems, brand matters less than size and thickness. Most holders work by sliding the filter into slots, so filters from another brand can often be used if they match the holder’s format.
The key things to check are:
- width/height standard of the system (for example, the holder must accept that filter size)
- filter thickness
- slot depth/fit in the holder
So a Cokin P-series holder can generally take other brands’ filters if those filters are made to the same size standard and aren’t too thick for the slots. If a filter is too thick, don’t force it, because you could damage the filter or holder.
In short: the holder and filter do not have to be the same brand, but they do need to be physically compatible.
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AI6y ago
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