Filter System for 100mm thread

[Behan]

Hi Folks - Happy new year!!

I would like to get a filter system to use with my Nikkor W 300mm lens (my only lens right now, which I use on a Tachihara 8x10)..the trouble is that the filter thread is 100mm..much bigger than anything I have owned or used in the past.

I only shoot in B+W so I'm interested in the standard contrast filters - reds, oranges, green etc. I'm also interested in getting a couple of Grad ND filters.

I do not know very much about the various systems available eg: Lee, Cokin X-Pro etc...but would very much appreciate advice/experience.

The reason I'm thinking about such a system rather than screw-in filters is the potential for adapting to other lenses I might acquire in the future. Are there any thoughts on compromises in optical quality between decent screw-in filters and modular systems ?

Kind regards,

Niall

[Loose Gravel]

I use 4 inch gels in those cardboard holders. For most of my lenses, I use the Lee Gel Snap to hold the holders. This works fine except for those lenses that take 100mm filters. For this I use a piece of foamcore in which I cut a hole that exactly slides over the end of the lens. Then I either clip the filter to this or use little 'corners' to hold the gel. I don't use filters for every shot, but this system has worked for me.

[David A. Goldfarb]

4" gels are a good option, or you could get a 105mm step-up ring and use gla$$ filters.

[Loose Gravel]

David, When filters are that big, I think there are more $$ in gla$$$$.

[Ole]

I use Lee filters (gel or resin), and when I don't have an adapter to match I resort to the "Digital Holder": Two fingers.

[Helen B]

Have you thought about behind-the-lens filters? Have you heard of 'snot tape'?

I have a Lee compendium shade for use with 4x4 filters. There are adapters for 95 mm and 100 mm lens threads. I use mostly Schneider glass filters with it.

Here are my brief opinions on the various types of filter material for use with the Lee, in approximately descending order of quality:

glass (eg Schneider, B+W) - either dyed-in-the-mass or gelatin sandwich. Available coated. Can be equal to best screw-in filters if care is taken to prevent light leakage into the edges/slots.

gelatin (eg Wratten) (Flexible) - optically good, until damaged. Can't be coated. Easy to use behind the lens.

polyester (eg Lee) (Flexible, sometimes referred to as 'gel', but this causes confusion with the real gelatin filters.) - optically not far behind gelatin. Not as easily damaged, easier to clean. Can't be coated. Easy to use behind the lens.

resin (eg Lee, Cokin) (Rigid) - quality depends a lot on the manufacture, but I don't have a lot of experience with resin filters, so can't really comment. Can't be coated.

Apart from the obvious advantages, modular systems also have an advantage over the screw-in type when more than one filter is to be used: it is easier to set one of the filters at a slight angle to prevent multiple reflections from parallel surfaces. The Lee holder can be shimmed to do this.

Best,
Helen

[Behan]

Thanks Folks,

This might be a stupid question but will a 4x4 filter be large enough to provide enough coverage over the front of the lens without vignetting ?

Niall

[Ole]

In most cases, yes. I use the "digital holdit" with a 90mm SA on 5x7", which has a lot more angle of view than a 300mm on 8x10".

[David A. Goldfarb]

4" is just a bit larger than 100mm, so it should be fine. At worst, you might get a little vignetting from the filter holder with extreme camera movements, but often you can take care of that by orienting the filter holder in a different way (depends on which holder). I use the Lee 4" polyester filters in my Linhof compendium with big lenses or lenses that don't take a standard filter size, like the 11.5"/f:4 Verito. Another attraction of these filters is that they are quite lightweight and compact.

As far as comparing filter types--I have a lot of 3x3" resin filters (mostly Ambico, but they are all made of the same CR39 resin. Some, like Lee and Hitech, are better in that the color will be more accurate and ND filters will be truly neutral). In my experience, even a cheap multicoated filter like a Vivitar VMC will show less flare and ghosting than a resin filter or a single coated filter. Resin filters often seemed as good in this regard as single coated filters. The main downside to resin filters is that they are more prone to scratching.

[Loose Gravel]

I'm using 4" gels on a 72mm lens for 5x7. Does not vignette.