Cokin Creative Filter System Guide – It’s a Different World Altogether

Last Updated on May 25, 2023

The Cokin Creative Filter System Explained

Skylight 1A and Skylight (230)

Adds warmth to pictures and reduces blue casts in backgrounds or dark areas, where the sky is reflected. It may be left permanently on the lens for protection.

The Skylight filter (230) suppresses only ultra-violet rays without affecting the color of the shot. Unlike 1A which adds a slightly pinkish cast. It can be used at all times to protect the surface of your lens from rain or scratches.

U.V.

This protective filter absorbs ultra-violet rays without affecting colors. Good for black and white films.

Neutral Polarizer (160)

Suppress non-metallic reflections, improves contrast and reflection on the water.

Colour Polarizers (161, 162, 163)

A polarizing filter controls glare and unwanted reflections. These Colour Filters allow you to take polarized images with color. They are used with the Cokin Neutral Polarizer filter.

Vari-Colour

When you use vari-color filters (170, 171, 172, 173) you can produce truly bizarre effects. Different rotations of the filter will produce very different results.

Cokin Diffusers Filters

These filters (083, 084) have little effect on the sharpness of the picture. They diffuse highlights, reducing contrast, and can be used to soften a landscape and skin tones.

Coloured Diffusers

With this set of filters (082) you can create romantic pastel like effects

Super Speed Cokin Filter (217)

SuperSpeed filter speeds things up, makes the image move, gives life to inanimate objects. This filter is suitable with lenses up to 250mm.

Diffractors

These filters (040, 041, 042) have engraved prismatic grooves that, like a prism, diffract the light into its spectral colors, but without distorting the image.

Cokin Mirage

A magic mirror (220) that allows you to photograph a scene as if it is reflected on a large lake. Mount the mirror as close you can to the lens.

Yellow Cokin Filter (001)

Absorbs ultra-violet and reduce blue and violet rays lighten foliage tones. Bring out clouds in a blue sky.

Orange (002) + (029, 030, 031)

002-Enhances the sharpness of yellow and red tones and absorbs blue, dramatic effects in the landscape with a nice sky and strong contrast with blue and yellow.

Orange Filters (029, 030, 031) use them when the light is badly positioned or want to warm a cold mood, accent a sunset, a portrait, or a landscape.

Red Cokin Filter (003)

Absorbs ultra-violet, blue, green, and yellow. Perfect for sky and night effects. It can be used to create a dramatic contrast.

Green (004)

Increases contrast in pictures by lightening green subjects. Reduce blue and red.

Yellow-Green Cokin Filter

Used for outdoor portraits, adds natural tones by lightening skin.

ND Cokin Filter

Allow you to reduce the light if you wish to use larger apertures for a smaller depth of field.

Dreams Creative Cokin Filters

Cokin Dreams 091, 092, 093. They can be combined with other filters for creative effects.

Cokin Graduated Filters

Use the Graduated filters to reduce the excessive brightness, for instance, the difference in light between the foreground and the sky in a landscape.

The Cokin Graduated filter is 120-Grey, 121-Grey, 122-Blue, 123-Blue, 124-Tabacco, 125-Tabacco, 126-Mauve, 127-Mauve, 128-Pink, 129-Pink, 130-Emerald, 131-Emerald, 132-Yellow, 133-Yellow.

The dense area covers less than half of the filter but can be adjusted vertically.

Cokin Warm Tone

These Cokin filters (026, 027, 028) add warmth to light and a pleasant tan to your models. In general, they suppress blue casts on overcast days and on subjects lit by blue sky.

Creative Blue Filters

The Cokin Blue filters have 2 majors groups:

• Colour conversion 020, 021, 022.
• Color compensating 023, 024, 025.

These filters can be used with lenses of any focal length and with virtually all other Cokin filters and special effects attachments. You can combine these filters with nearly all Cokin filters.

Sepia Cokin Filter

Recapture the Sepia tones that give old pictures that special charm. This filter will yield a pleasant effect when combined with a soft-focus attachment.

Pastels Filters

The pastel filters ( 086, 087) can be used to add delicate pastel hues to your subject. You can combine the pastels with orange filters.

Cokin Rainbows Filters

With these filters (195, 196) you can create a rainbow or two. You can use this filter in any weather. The Cokin Rainbows should not be used in combination with other heavily colored filters.

Sunsets Filters

With a Sunset filter (197, 198) you don’t need to wait until evening. you can simulate the colors of the setting Sun in the morning or anytime. These filters can be combined with all other filters.

Double Exposure (346)

Check whether your camera is designed to have multiple exposures. The camera must be firmly supported on a tripod or base.

Cokin Fog Filters

These filters (150, 151) are available in 2 different densities and have a misty graduated area: Fog or Mist effect. It can be combined with graduated and Sunset filters.

Stars Cokin Filters

Stars filters (055, 056, 057, 058) have the best results when your subjects are brilliant points of light against dark areas. It can be used with all other Cokin filters.

Cokin Center Spot Filters

The center spot filters (060 to 068 and 070 to 078) include 2 ranges of color filters and 2 ranges of neutral filters that produce a colored diffused area around a sharp center.

Pre-shaped Frames

These filters (397-pack of 10) allow you to concentrate on the subject itself and eliminate all unnecessary background detail. Use them for portraits, nudes, still life, landscapes.

Multi-Images (201, 202, 203, 204)

You can create more than just repeat images because the filter holder is fully adjustable. This gives you much more control.

Cokin Close-up Lenses

With these lenses (101, 102, 103) you can get yourself closer to the subject. Because of the limited depth of field, use the smallest lens stop.

Cokin Prism

When you place a Cokin Prism ( 219) in front of the lens, you can create astonishing effects. The prism allows you to bring out the blue, yellow, green, and red colors. The crystal can be combined with color or graduated filters.

The Cokin Creative Filter System has three main components:

Series Filter Holder

The Cokin filter holder is mounted on the lens by use of an adaptor ring, the holder has 4 grooves. The nearest to the lens takes round filters that can rotate. The other 3 accept square filters.

Adapter Ring

Filter 

There are four different sizes of filters available:

According to Cokin website, Series Name Change.

• Size S (previous A series) small size fitting diameters from 36 to 62) and Hasselblad
• M Size (previous P series) medium size fitting diameters from 48 to 82
• Size L (previous Z-Pro series) large size fitting diameters from 49 to 96
• XL  Size(previous X-Pro series) XL size fitting diameters from 62 to 112

What are Cokin filters made from?

Cokin filters are manufactured from CR-39 polymer launched initially for the vision lens industry, CR-39 natural glass boasts several significant features: Extra lightweight. Highly resistant to shocks, meaning that photographers, videographers, and camera operators can handle the filters in complete confidence and safety.

Excellent optical transmission and high compatibility to coloring.

For more information on Cokin filters, take a look at the Cokin website and UK Cokin.

See Where to Buy Cokin filters:

• Wex Photo Video

• Park Cameras

• Adorama

• Jessops

• Foto Sense

• CameraWorld

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WHAT CAMERA LENS FILTERS ARE & HOW TO USE THEM 

Online Course

Beginner, intermediate, or advanced camera users can benefit if you aren’t aware of camera filters.  

Decoding the Magic and Mystique of Cokin Filters – Weighing the Pros and Cons

Filters can bring your photos to life, lending them a professional touch. And among the myriad of options available to photographers, the Cokin Creative Filter System stands out, offering a diverse range of filters for every creative need.

While they come with considerable benefits, like any tool, they also present their own set of challenges. In this blog, we deeply dive into the world of Cokin Filters, examining their assets and downsides.

The Bright Side: Cokin Filters’ Pros

• Versatility: With a broad collection ranging from neutral density filters, and polarizers to color filters, Cokin provides you with options for virtually any shooting condition and creative vision.
• Ease of Use: The Cokin holder and ring system is designed for quick filter swaps and stackability, making it convenient to adapt to changing lighting conditions and creative requirements.
• Quality: Constructed from high-quality optical resin or glass, Cokin filters are built to last and provide an excellent optical quality that maintains image clarity.
• Compatibility: The universal holder and adapter rings cater to a range of lens diameters, making the system compatible with various camera models and lenses.
• Cost-Effective: The universal system means you can use the same filter across multiple lenses, providing a more economical solution for photographers using various lenses.

The Other Side: Cokin Filters’ Cons

• Vignetting Issues: Particularly with wide-angle lenses, the holder system can cause vignetting. However, Cokin offers a slimline version for these lenses.
• Size and Weight: Carrying several filters and the holder system might add to your camera bag’s size and weight. However, this is a small trade-off for the creative possibilities offered.
• Filter Fragility: While the optical quality is exceptional, the filters, especially the resin ones, require careful handling as they can scratch more easily than glass filters.
• Color Casts: Some photographers have reported slight color casts with certain Cokin filters. This common issue among many filter brands can often be corrected during post-processing.

The Cokin Creative Filter System is a powerful tool in a photographer’s kit. With an understanding of its pros and cons, you can better decide if these filters suit your needs and style. Remember, every piece of photography equipment is a tool to help you realize your creative vision.

Mastering them is part of capturing the world through your unique lens.

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