Split ND Filters

[gferdinandsen]

Currently I use a B&W Split ND filter, and am quite happy with it. In fact all my filters are B&W and I have no complaints.

However, I remember years ago I also had Cokin filters for B&W and split ND. The obvious advantage for split ND was the ability to move the horizon. When I look at those old slides (mostly shot with my old 28-70 L lens), I don't see any degredation in IQ.

However, I was wondering with new model digital cameras is there a loss of IQ by putting a cheap piece of plastic in front of your $1,500 lens? I've always used the B&W filters because the provide the least degredation to IQ, but what are your thoughts on Cokin?

 

[paul13walnut5]

My experience of cokin filters is that they are prone to scratching and if you stack ND's (either solid and a grad, or two grads) then you get weird colour shifts.

To be fair the one B+W I have is the ND1000 which also exhibits a colour shift, but it is consistant accross the frame and relatively easy to fix.

When I use cokins these days I tend to tick to one filter at a time, partly because of previous experience but also because I bought a WA holder for my UWA lens and it only takes one filter.

I'll get round to buying some lees at somepoint, but it's on a long list.