Gold n Blue Polariser

[kipper]

Does anybody own one of these babies? I sort of discovered them when paying a look at a dpreview members website. Some of their shots are pretty good. They used a goldnblue for the Joshue Tree shots and they sort of have a very nice feel to them. There is also a sunset shot with some rocks, ocean and a few birds in flight that was shot on velvia that is amazing.


http://www.pbase.com/zylen/profile

[Killakoala]

She certainly has an eye for an image. Great nature and landscape photos.

As for the polariser, i have no idea.

[DaveB]

No I don't have one of these, but I know some people who do.

As far as I know the gold/blue polarisers only come in the Cokin-style filters that slot into a holder on the front of your lens (ala. graduated NDs).
I think Hoya make some similar (?) yellow/blue round polarisers in a couple of thread sizes, but I'm not sure how different the effect is.

[kipper]

DaveB, Sinhg Ray make some standard screwin filters in GoldnBlue but they also have the Cokin P system.

[DaveB]

Useful to know. All the people I know using these are Cokin users, but I can't see myself going down that path any time soon.

[kipper]

Dave, I've got 5 filters at the moment as screwin types 67MM

UV
CPL
ND4
Closeup +2
Closeup +4

I'm now at a point where I think the next time I buy some filters it will be using the cokin system. It looks a lot more versatile then the screwin type.

[DaveB]

Dave, I've got 5 filters at the moment as screwin types 67MM

Actually, think yourself lucky. My lenses are either 72mm or 77mm (and one little 52mm thread on my 50/1.8 that I use once in a blue moon).

UV

Each of my lenses has one of these. It might not always be there, but when it is it's mainly for salt/sand/water/bump protection, and a screw-in is the only option.

CPL

Currently I have a 72mm and a 77mm, although on a recent trip I was toying with the possibility of getting another 77mm (in many cases I have two cameras/lenses on me, and swapping the polariser is not optimal).

ND4

Don't have one of these. I suspect if I did it would get about as much use as the 50mm. Generally if I need some ND I cheat and use up a few stops with a polariser.

Closeup +2
Closeup +4

These are definitely screw-in. I can't imagine these suiting a cokin-style arrangement.

I'm now at a point where I think the next time I buy some filters it will be using the cokin system. It looks a lot more versatile then the screwin type.

Whatever rocks your boat.
The Cokin-style filters can work well for landscape work, but aren't the most practical for handheld work or crawling through the bush...
At least they do have the advantage of suiting a variety of filter threads (only needing the appropriate mounting ring for each thread to match the holder).

Incidentally I use a Domke filter pouch (with "Kata" inserts for various sizes) which usually lives on the belt of my hip bag (or clips off to go in a vest pocket, etc). As long as you don't have TOO many, carrying round filters and keeping them safe from dust and damage isn't hard (I'm currently only carrying a couple of polarisers). Personally if I was in the market for a G/B PL I would be looking at a 77mm screw-in. If I was considering split ND grads I would be looking at getting more of a Cokin system, but I'm happy with the flexibility of digital blending.
Carrying the Cokin holder and each of the filters safely is also do-able, but it is going to be a bigger proposition.

[kipper]

Dave. I agree that the UV Filters are great for lens protection and I should get one for every lens that I own. Which currently is only the 50MM 1.4 and the 18-70DX. Don't think you can get UV filters for large primes.

As for ND filter, I do use mine sometimes coupled with my CPL filter to really push my shutter speed down (silk water effect).

My main use for a Cokin system would be for landscape shots to have as you said split ND. I could just do multiple exposures for some things but then again if it's a long exposure already it's just not going to work. Some might say using exposure correction on the RAW but that can introduce noise. As they say it's best to expose correctly the first time.