Using the Cokin Creative Filter System

Just about 10 to 15 years ago when digital photography was almost non-existent, every photographer had to depend on filters to create special effects or to correct the white balance. If not, they will need some nifty darkroom tricks. With screw on filters, you can still attach different filters but it is a less than elegant solution. For graduated filters, it would be almost impossible to adjust the filter up or down to fit your composition.

A Cokin Creative Filter System primarily consists of 3 elements. In the order that they are attached to the lens: adaptor ring, filter holder and lastly the filters themselves. Adaptor rings of different sizes allow the same filter holder to be attached to lens with different filter attachment size. In this way, you can potentially avoid buying the same filter of different sizes.

Illustration of the Cokin Creative System. Photo credit: Cokin

A good way to use the system is to combine a Gradual Grey (ND) series filter with other filters such as a polarizer or a UV filter. A graduated filter is a filter where the effect is at the maximum at one end and the effect gradually decrease until the glass is clear. A likely scenario to use this kind of filter is the sky in the background is too bright for the foreground. The photographer will then need to adjust the filter manually to the horizon or to the desired composition. Adding a polarizer can also remove unwanted reflections or improve the clarity of the sky. The effect is a well exposed photograph using such a combination of filters.

However such a system is not without its disadvantages. Firstly, you will not be able to use the original hood that comes with the lens. Cokin do sell a modular hood which you can attach to the front of the filter holder. Secondly, handling delicate pieces of filters and trying to take them in and out of the holder might be difficult in some situations.