Filters Part 2

COKIN CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Optical Resin Filters for Photo, Digital and Video

Invented by professional photographer Jean Coquin, Cokin filters is the world's leading range of special effect filters suitable for SLR, video, medium and large format camera systems. By using square filters, which fit into a holder and are attached to a lens via an adapter ring, the photographer has a number of immediate advantages: a) there is no need to duplicate filters to fit different size lenses, b) up to three filters can be used at once to create unique effects, c) the photographer has control over the positioning of the effect on the photograph. This easy-to-use system, with a complete range of over 160 creative filters made of a high quality optical material, allow amateurs and professionals alike to create fantastic images. But this system, as versatile as it is, cannot fulfil its optimum effectiveness without your own personal and unique approach of creativity, imagination and dreams. Indeed, thanks to the Cokin Creative Filter System, each image can be modified and enhanced by your own creative input. Cokin shows you the way to live your own dreams: enter into the world of fantasy and creative images. Whether your camera is analog or digital - Cokin "A" or "P" filter-holders fit perfectly on all lenses with diameters from 36 to 82mm, using a simple adapter ring. The "X-Pro" Series fits lens diameters from 62-118mm, the "Z-Pro Series up to 96mm.

X-PRO Series

X-PRO is a versatile system ideally suited to today's wide variety of assignments - portrait, landscape, advertising, editorial and industrial. With a 170mm x 130mm filter size, the X-PRO Series has been specially developed to offer professionals a comprehensive range of filters that can be used on medium and large format cameras, and the 'extreme' lenses required by photographers, videographers and broadcasters. Now in one integrated filter system, X-PRO makes vignetting a problem of the past and removes many of the practical restrictions on creativity.

* There are over 60 filters to tempt the professional, each made from improved high tech CR-39 organic glass (see box) to ensure excellent optical quality. User flexibility is achieved using Cokin's unique Universal Filter Holder System, creating the capability for a filter to fit many different types and sizes of lens.

* Adapter rings are available from 62-112mm and will fit diameters up to 118mm with a 4-point universal ring. The X-PRO Adapter Ring System benefits from Cokin's 20 years of experience with the 'A' and 'P' systems.

* They fit many different types of lens - large diameter zooms, extreme wide-angle lenses, medium and large format, cinema and broadcasting.

* Made of a lightweight, high-tech material, the holder has an exclusive Ring Locker System. Developed by Cokin, the system ensures that the holder can be secured in a certain position and that the filter is kept parallel to the lens.

* Furthermore, if the photographer requires the filter to be rotated freely, this can also be achieved with this exclusive system. Another way in which the X-PRO system really considers the professional photographer's needs.

Z-PRO System

The Z-Pro system is intended for professional use. It is the ultimate culmination of technical knowledge acquired in four decades that COKIN has been in the business of manufacturing precision photographic filters. The Z-PRO System supports very specific professional applications and offers accessories that find no equivalent elsewhere in the market. This system unmistakably facilitates the practice of producing images: the use of filters becomes swift, simple, and effective. The range of Z-Pro filters contains close to 100 filters that cover the entire set of needs of image creators, experts, or professionals. It includes traditional technical filters, equivalent to the well-known Kodak gelatins, but also filters that are specific to the COKIN brand, such as the neutral densitys, blue and tobacco graduated filters (so often copied by others...), or the diffusion filters whose quality, variety and uniqueness are universally recognized. These filters are as useful in digital photography as they are with film, as needed in photography as they are in HD video. They are the key to a creative universe limited only by your imagination!

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Black & White Filters

These intensely colored filters are intended for black-and-white film. They reduce certain colors and accentuate others. In this way, it is possible to enhance or reduce the contrast of certain portions of the subject similar to the use of Polarizers or Graduated filters in color photography.

Blue Filters

Cokin Blue filters comprise two major groups: Color conversion (020, 021 , and 022) and Color compensating filters (023, 024, and 025). Color conversion filters (020, 021 , and 022) correspond to the Wratten Series 80. They modify artificial light (2800 to 3400 K) for daylight type color film. In addition, they can introduce a deep blue cast to your pictures, thereby adding a touch of mystery.

without filter	with 020 Blue filter

Warm

These filters add warmth to light and a pleasant tan to your photo. In general, they suppress blue casts on overcast days and on subjects lit by blue sky. These filters correspond to the Wratten series 81 (81A, 81B, 81C) and complement the Cokin blue filters (023, 024, and 025) which create cooler or bluer tones.

without filter	with 037 warm (81EF) filter

Orange

Using tungsten film in daylight will produce a bluish cast in the photograph. These filters correspond to the Wratten Series 85. The 85 series will produce natural colors when shooting with tungsten film outdoors. A #85 filter will decrease the color temperature from 5500K to 3400K and produce slightly cooler results than an 85B.

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Sepia

The Sepia filters are for use with color film only. They give your pictures a sepia color very close to that of old fashioned photographs. Available in standard (005) and mild (045) sepia tones. Combine them for deeper effects or for very brightly lit scenes: sea, snow etc.

without filter	with 045 Sepia filter

FLD/FLW

FL-D filters correct the greenish tone that appears when shooting daylight film under general purpose fluorescent lighting. FL-W filters balance daylight film under warm white or white type fluorescent lamps

Gold

The 047 Gold filter adds a distinctive golden tone to the photograph, which is useful in sunset photography or for when you want your photos to take on an antique look. It is also used by some as a Full daylight correction and warming filter in under water photography.

Cyan

The 050 is a special effects filter used when the photographer wishes to add a distinctive blue tint over the entire image. The distintive cyan color lends itself to blue sunsets reminiscent of the southern hemisphere, especially the south pacific.

Stars

Add sparkle to night shots, city skylines, street scenes, streetlights, car headlights, candle lights or any place there's sources of points of light. Star filters make the lights come to life like magic. Depending on the properties of the filter, you get points of light surrounded by 2, 4, 8 or 16 rays. The best effect is achieved against a dark background and with a relatively short exposure. The stars can be positioned as desired by turning the filter. The more powerful and point-shaped the source of light is, the more intense and longer the rays of the star. Additionally, they can be used as soft-focus attachments.

without filter	with 055 Star 16 filter

without filter	with 059 Softstar 1 filter

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Center Spot

With a clear spot in the center, Center Spots color or darken the surrounding area, which is often distracting. They allow you to concentrate your attention on your principal subject, or isolate your subject in a group photo. Mainly used for portraits and still-life work, Center Spots also give excellent results with landscapes, architecture and sports. They may be used as colored or neutral diffuser masks when the surroundings do not harmonize with the composition. For lenses between 50 and 250mm.

Without Filter	With O65 CS Green Filter

Center Spot Wide Angle

Same as above, for 20-40mm wide-angle lenses.

without filter	with 072 CS Wide Angle Grey 1 filter

Color Varnish, Color Vaseline, Color Diffuser

Produce painting like effects by spreading Varnish or Vaseline on the Cokin Basic filter (376). Both the amateur and the devoted art photographer will derive pleasure from these "paints". The 082 Color Diffuser is a set of metallized films of variable colors (cold and warm) to create romantic pastel-like effects.

Diffusers & Pastels

Diffuser filters have very little effect on the sharpness of the image. They merely diffuse highlights, thus reducing contrast. As such, Diffusers can be used to soften a landscape without suppressing detail. They can also soften the skin texture and hide minor flaws. You can take a sharp portrait without emphasizing every pore. Pastel filters can be used to add delicate pastel hues to your subject. All you need is a pleasant subject, a backlit, scene or a simple tree or landscape.

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Dreams

Dream Filters are small circular lenses which create a second image around an unaltered central image. This second image appeasrs more or less as a distinct halo, depending on the focal length, the aperture and the background. Choose between filters depending upon the amount of space that you require for the halo compared to the subject.

Close-up & Split Field

These filters allow you to take close-up shots covering without blocking any light, so they only alter the reproduction ratio and greatly increase the working range of standard and telephoto lenses. With the split-field close-up lens, you can get a sharp and magnified foreground while maintaining the background in focus. Enhance the mood by contrasting a blurred, lighter subject against a darker area.

Graduated Filters

Made in a wide range of compound colors that blend harmoniously into the image, these filters permit selective color enhancement or modification without changing the subject. Use them to reduce the excessive brightness range that frequently arises in two parts of the picture, for instance the difference in light between the foreground and the sky in a landscape shot. The filters are also capable of an infinite number of effects. Filters can be combined with each other, either in similar positions or with the densities opposed, to selectively color certain portions of the subject.

Oval Center Spot

A Center Spot filter with an oval instead of a circle in the middle. Suitable for all focal lengths. Ideal for horizontal or group portraits.

without filter	with 141 Oval Center Spot Black filter

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Net Filter

Black Net filters soften fine details with no change in contrast, while the White Net filters soften details and also lower contrast.

without filter	with 143 Net #1 Black filter

Wedding

A neutral filter that produces a diffused area along a sharp curve Softens area around subject Ideal for portraits

without filter	with 148 Wedding 1 filter

Fog

Add a touch of dream and mystery to your photos. These filters are available in two different densities and have a misty graduated area.

without filter	with 151 Fog 2 filter

Neutral Density (ND)

For use in bright light. ND filters allow you to gain the 1, 2, or 3 apertures you need to allow you to play with backgrounds, distance and depth-of-field. ND filters allow you to use the low speeds you need to give an impression of motion.

without filter	with 154 Grey NDx8 filter

Polarizers

Polarizers are most useful for increasing general outdoor color saturation and contrast. They also eliminate reflected glare making them ideal when shooting water (lakes, ponds) or window glass. The Color Polarizers allow you to take polarized pictures with color.

Varicolor

Use Varicolor filters to produce truly bizarre effects. Each Varicolor filter gives a dominant tone, which you can use to the picture you have chosen. Rotate the filter for unusual shades which will enhance reality.

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Radial Zoom, Rainspot, Sunspot

The Radial Zoom gives the effect of zooming a telephoto lens during exposure. Rainspot is a clear center spot diffusion filter that surrounds the subject with the impression of a heavy rain. Softspot is like a Diffuser with a clear center spot.

without filter	with 185 Radial Zoom filter

without filter	with 186 Rainspot filter

Rainbow & Sunset

With a Rainbow or Sunset filter you don't have wait for a rain or evening - you can simulate a rainbow or the colors of the setting sun at almost anytime.

Multi-Image

Cokin's Multi-image filters let you create more than just repeat images. Because the filter holder is fully adjustable both axially and laterally, they give you much more control. The 209 Multi-parallel attachment creates parallel multiple images.

Speed & Mirage

The Speed filter adds streaks of lights to give the impression that something is rushing by. The Super Speed filter speeds things up, making the world move, giving life to inanimate objects. The Mirage filter will allow you to photograph an ordinary scene and make it appear as if it is being reflected on a large lake.

UV & Skylight

These filters eliminate the blue casts that your photos pick up from U.V. rays and clarify misty views.

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Mask & Double Exposure

With this ingenious Mask filter kit, you can create a photomontage, while with the Double Mask system you can combine two scenes in one, creating a photomontage in your camera. The Double Mask #345 has a larger center spot. The Double Exposure filter allows you to expose each half of one piece of film separately.

Creative, Basic & Pre-shaped

The Creative filter consists of a gelatin holder and ten acetate filters of corresponding size. The Basic Filter is a clear filter used in conjuntion with other special effects tools, such as the Color Varnish (#080) and Color Vaseline (#081) filters. The Basic filter serves as a pallette onto which these other liquids are applied. The Pre-shaped set contains a slide-in sandwiching mount which fits into the holder. The slide-in mount accepts any of the included 10 pre-shaped black masks.

without filter	with 097 Pre-shaped filter

Graduated Fluorescent

Cokin fluorescent filters have a more luminous color effect than standard Cokin color graduated filters and can be used as effects filters. Precisely controllable color moods, which formerly were rarely seen outside of pop videos, are easy to achieve with these filters.

without filter	with 670 Gradual Fluo Pink 1 filter

Bi-Color Center Spot

Bi-Color Center Spot filters are used in exactly the same way as other Center Spot filters. These filters have a clear spot in the center and create a two-color diffusion (pink/blue, yellow/pink or blue/yellow) around the main subject, which is not modified.

without filter	with 674 Blue/Yellow filter

CREATIVE FILTER SYSTEM

Sunsoft, Champagne, Softwarm, Diffuser

The Sunsoft filter is similar to the Softwarm except that the Sunsoft has a warmer tone. As such, it is also good for portraiture or any scenario where the photographer wishes to add additional warmth and diffusion to the image. Champagne is a slightly orange filter with a more orange center spot. The Diffuser not only diffuses highlights but adds a slight warmth to the image.

without filter	with 695 Champagne filter

Colorless Diffusers

Colorless Diffusers make skin look softer, and hair more silky and shiny. The surface of these filters is slightly granulated, which diffuses strong light without affecting the clarity of the image up to about 135mm. In portrait work, small skin defects are eliminated. Facial contrast and wrinkles are also softened away. These filters will also soften the contrasts and contours of rugged landscapes.

without filter	with 850 Diffuser filter

Color Correction

Some photographic situations require specific color corrections. For example, when shooting daylight film under fluorescent lighting, some magenta correction is needed in order to remove the greenish tint that would otherwise appear. The amount of color correction required is most accurately measured via a color temperature meter. Cokin Color Compensating filters are made of plastic and are available in Magenta and Yellow colors.