How do you use the Cokin preshaped frames, what holder & how do they fit?

Question

How do you use the Cokin preshaped frames, what holder & how do they fit?

Answer 1

The cokin system is based on a variety of holder sizes, from A, P, then X & Z pro.

A is a wee bit old fashioned now, as most folk like a wider lens than an effective 35mm (21mm in APS-C digital money)  The P system isn't all that much more expensive, and gives you the option of using wider lenses, with up to 77mm fiter threads.

By filter thread I mean the thread in side most slr lenses, at the front element.

With the cokin system you buy one holder, the filters you want, then just buy inexpensive adaptor rings to fit your lenses.

A couple of notes of caution....

Make sure your lenses front element doesn't rotate when focusing as that will cause problems with 'directional' filters such as polarisers and gradient filters.

The cokin filters are made of plastic, and can be prone to scratching in  a way that glass ones (tiffin, lee) aren't, but these cost a lot more.

Unless yo have very expensive fast telephoto lenses  or extreme wide angle lenses then the P sereies will probably be the most useful to you.