Cokin A121F User Manual
′ Why Graduated Neutral Density ?
Unlike human eyes, CCD or film have no emotions or imagination. They only see light as levels of
brightness. A large difference in brightness between sky and foreground is beyond their ability to see and
record. This is where graduated neutral-density (ND) filters come in. By using one of these filters, you will
be able to bring to CCD or film what you see with your eyes. Grad ND filters can’t create light but they
can help you capture it properly.
Pro landscape photographers often use Grad NDs to darken a bright sky so that both the sky and subject
can be properly exposed thus capturing greater details.
Use these filters when you need to control the contrast range in your landscape images to avoid blowing
out highlights, like snow-covered mountains or dramatic skies.
brightness. A large difference in brightness between sky and foreground is beyond their ability to see and
record. This is where graduated neutral-density (ND) filters come in. By using one of these filters, you will
be able to bring to CCD or film what you see with your eyes. Grad ND filters can’t create light but they
can help you capture it properly.
Pro landscape photographers often use Grad NDs to darken a bright sky so that both the sky and subject
can be properly exposed thus capturing greater details.
Use these filters when you need to control the contrast range in your landscape images to avoid blowing
out highlights, like snow-covered mountains or dramatic skies.
How do you know when you need one? With some experience, you get a pretty good idea of when the
light range in a scene is beyond the ability of the CCD or film to record, but one sure way is to use your
in-camera spot meter and evaluate the scene. Check the difference between the exposure needed for
your foreground and the exposure needed for the background. If there’s no difference between the two,
then you don’t need a filter. But if there is, say, a 2-stop difference, then you need a 2-stop filter (ND4 =
ND0.6).
light range in a scene is beyond the ability of the CCD or film to record, but one sure way is to use your
in-camera spot meter and evaluate the scene. Check the difference between the exposure needed for
your foreground and the exposure needed for the background. If there’s no difference between the two,
then you don’t need a filter. But if there is, say, a 2-stop difference, then you need a 2-stop filter (ND4 =
ND0.6).
Several types
COKIN Graduated ND Filters are available in "soft-step" and "hard-step" types. The soft-step filters are
suited for scenes with no distinct boundary between light and dark zones. The hard-step (abrupt
boundary) are used for scenes where sky and foreground areas are distinctly separated, usually at the
horizon. Soft-step filters are however the universal choice. Both the soft-step and hard-step types are
offered in the 3 major (1, 2, 3 steps) density graduations.
suited for scenes with no distinct boundary between light and dark zones. The hard-step (abrupt
boundary) are used for scenes where sky and foreground areas are distinctly separated, usually at the
horizon. Soft-step filters are however the universal choice. Both the soft-step and hard-step types are
offered in the 3 major (1, 2, 3 steps) density graduations.
To be noted, wide-angle lenses, because of their inherent greater depth of field (particularly with smaller
apertures), will deliver a more pronounced and noticeable graduation than higher focal lengths (50mm
and up).
apertures), will deliver a more pronounced and noticeable graduation than higher focal lengths (50mm
and up).
′ Why COKIN Square filters ?
The ability to precisely place the transition (boundary) is why Pro photographers use square filters
(rectangular, in fact). They won't accept to be totally locked with screw-in grad NDs when it comes to the
composition of the shot. Horizon always in the middle of the frame, this is exactly what they want to avoid
(rectangular, in fact). They won't accept to be totally locked with screw-in grad NDs when it comes to the
composition of the shot. Horizon always in the middle of the frame, this is exactly what they want to avoid
.
In addition, they value all other avantages of the COKIN Square Filter System :
Quick use (in and out easily and fast ; just slide in/out the filters).
One filter for all the lenses (big saving !).
Numerous possibilities to combine several filters.
One filter for all the lenses (big saving !).
Numerous possibilities to combine several filters.
Let experimentation, creativity and personal taste
guide your use of these indispensable tools !!
121
121F
121L 121M
121S