Cokin filters with a rangefinder?

[bad_stereo]

Does anyone have any experience using a cokin filter set with a rangefinder camera? I'm thinking of investing in the setup, but wonder about the feasibility of using graduated density filters with a rangefinder (since the viewfinder isn't, you know, TTL). I have the same concern with a polarizer.

I'm shooting a Mamiya 6 if it makes any difference, usually with black and white film.

What do you think?

 

[NathanJD]

I thought about using Cokin's smallest system on a rangefinder but i was concerned about the edge of the filter holder getting in the way of the RF windows

 

[Lilserenity]

My experience with the Cokin filters is they are 'alright' but not great.

On the contrary, the Lee RF75 system http://robertwhite.co.uk/products.asp?PT_ID=714 is superb. Gives you some indication of where the filter graduation is on the holder, and you get the excellent Lee filters which don't have the magenta colour shift that the Cokin GND filters can give as well as other funny colour shifts.

Sure the RF75 system isn't as cheap as the Cokin but...

That said, I'm referring to the Cokin A system, the larger sizes (X and Z) are meant to be fine.

 

[chris000]

My experience with the Cokin filters is they are 'alright' but not great.

On the contrary, the Lee RF75 system http://robertwhite.co.uk/products.asp?PT_ID=714 is superb. Gives you some indication of where the filter graduation is on the holder, and you get the excellent Lee filters which don't have the magenta colour shift that the Cokin GND filters can give as well as other funny colour shifts.

Sure the RF75 system isn't as cheap as the Cokin but....

I second that. The Lee system is excellent (I use it on a Mamiya 7) and, and having got used to it, I now find that I can align grad filters accurately.

 

[Ben Z]

I pondered this issue long and hard when I decided how nice it would be to hike for landscape photography with a Leica instead of a heavy SLR.

As someone said, Cokin ND-grads are not neutral. However the problem I had at the time is that SinghRay only made theirs to fit the Cokin P holder, which was much too big for the Leica. So I paid an optician to cut them down to fit the Cokin A holder. It helps then to put an index mark near the edge where it fits in the holder, at the vertical halfway point, and a similar mark on the holder, plus about 20 marks in 1mm increments above and below. Then make some test shots with various lenses and various shooting apertures (all of which makes a difference on the grad placement and effect) and make up a cheat-sheet so based on lens and aperture you'll know what mark to line the filter up with when you're out shooting. If it sounds like a PITA, well, it sort of is.

It's very simple with an M8, M9 or RD1, because you can chimp and adjust the filter.

 

[35mmdelux]

Ok with MF. Not given to fast shooting with Leicas.

 

[jesse1dog]

My feeling is that if you can pick up a couple cheaply do so, and then just experiment. You haven't a great deal to lose and you might get a bit of fun out of trying.
Nothing attemped - nothing achieved!

jesse

 

[narsuitus]

Yes, I use a variety of Cokin P filters on my 6x9cm rangefinder.

Yes, there is some blockage of my viewfinder.

Yes, my polarizing filter, star cross filters, and graduated filters (neutral density, orange, and tobacco) are difficult to use.

However, it is worth it to me when I need the effects of these filters.