Filter advice

[z-dave]

Hi All

I'm looking for some advice for buying filters,.
I'm after some ND filters to get longer exposure during the day. I currently use lenses with 52mm and 58mm IDs

My options I guess, are either:

Cokins squares, with the appropriate adapters
or
Circular filters with a 58-52mm step up/down.

I would guess that going with the squares is a better option?


With regards brand, the net is full of pretenders to the throne. I know Hoya and Cokin are meant to be OK. What about Kood? They seem pretty reasonable?

All advice greatfully received!

 

[HoppyUK]

If you want strong ND filters to use in bright daylight, then you want screw-in to eliminate light leaks. You also want something very dark, like the B+W 6-stops and 10-stops ND filters. 10 stops reduces 1/1000sec exposure time down to 1 full second.

Nobody else makes filters like this, apart from the Hoya X400 (9 stops) which is special order only. They are all screw-in.

For screw-in, Hoya are good and B+W are good, both decent value. That's what I use. I don't use square filters but I believe Lee are the best, and Hitech rated as good and better value. Cokin are pretty average TBH. The likes of Kood and Tiffen are mostly unknown quantities in the UK.

 

[z-dave]

Thanks for the tip Hoppy. I hadn't considered the potential for light leaks with the squares.