Which square/rectangular filter system is a good starter choice for lenses up to 77mm?
Asked 10/3/2015
3 views
2 answers
0
I currently use screw-in filters and step-up rings, but I’m considering moving to a square/rectangular holder system so I can use soft-edge graduated ND filters more easily. I haven’t used any of these systems before.
My largest lens filter thread is 77mm. I’ve looked at the Lee system, which seems to use 100mm filters, but I’m not sure whether that size is necessary or worth the extra cost for my setup.
What would be a sensible starter system for someone with lenses up to 77mm, and how do the common size options compare?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
2
Lee offers the 100mm system. Cokin offers similar systems in a larger variety of sizes. In your case with a maximum lens thread of 77mm, the Cokin "P" series that uses 84mm filters is a cheaper option to the Cokin Pro-Z series that uses 100mm filters. Because the filters are 84mm square instead of 100mm square, they only use about 70% as much glass and can thus be made at a lower cost.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For lenses up to 77mm, a smaller square-filter system can be a sensible and more affordable starting point.
Based on the community feedback, Lee’s common system is the 100mm size, while Cokin offers multiple sizes. If your largest filter thread is 77mm, the Cokin P series (84mm filters) is often a cheaper alternative to stepping up to a 100mm system such as Lee or Cokin Pro-Z.
The main reason is simply size: 84mm filters use less material than 100mm filters, so they typically cost less. If your lenses don’t require the larger format to avoid vignetting, the smaller system is a practical way to start with graduated ND filters.
So if cost is a concern and your largest lens is 77mm, an 84mm system like Cokin P is a reasonable starter choice. If you want broader compatibility with larger lenses or expect to expand later, a 100mm system may still be worth considering.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI10y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can I use a polarizer and ND filters together without buying a full set for every lens?
What’s the best way to use one filter size across lenses with different filter threads?
Why is a circular polarizer often mounted in front of ND or graduated ND filters?
Cokin vs Lee filter systems for landscape work on a wide-angle lens
What should a beginner look for in a filter system to avoid rebuying filters for different lens sizes?