2009-07-27

Warriewood Beach - More testing with my Cokin X-Pro Filters

After being laid low for over two weeks by the flu, I was itching to get out and perform more tests with my Cokin X-Pro filters on my Nikon 14-24mm. I decided to check out Warriewood Beach. Unfortunately, it was not high tide when I got there and there wasn't much wave action.

Sunrise at Warriewood Beach


These were taken with 2 filters stacked together on the holder. I used a ND8 graduated filter and a ND4 filter. Both were taken at 14mm.


Main pool at Warriewood Beach

This is what happens when you don't keep an eye on the sets of incoming waves. The bottom of my jeans and shoes were totally soaked. It is no fun walking around with cold wet feet. As you can see the filter and top of the camera also git some sea spray. Luckily, I had my microfiber cloth handy and was able to quickly dry the filter and my D700.

8 comments:

gnohz said...

Hi Lawrie,
Just a quick question here if you don't mind.

In this post, you mentioned that you took pictures at 14mm with 2 filters stacked. I presumed that you used the newer version of your rig in this shoot.

Can I just double check, you managed to use 2 filters stacked without any vignetting at 14mm on FX? This makes a big difference to me as I thought I read in another post that only 1 filter can be used without vignetting at 14mm.

Is it possible to try it out on your rig to confirm?

Many thanks! :)

lozzmann said...

Hi gnohz,

That's correct, it's at 14mm but I was using a very crude setup consisting of a pvc piping over the lens, to minimise scratches, and the 4 prong/screw universal attachment thingy. It was a real bitch to setup as it moved x,y,z directions.

I somehow fluked it with some of the shots but wasn't able to always get it right as one corner was always vignetted or had light leakage.

Mk.I of the rig was more rigid with very limited movement and Mk.II even less so.

Regards,
Lawrie
I doubled checked the pic of the Warriewood tide pool and it's definitely shot at 14mm. Also a dead give away that it's double stacked is the "Cokin" purply-grey look to the sky/clouds.

Regards,
Lawrie

gnohz said...

Hi Lawrie,

Seems that I'm the only one with the most questions! Sorry to take up your time.

I overlooked one point in my previous question.

What I really wanted to ask was, with Mk. II (not Mk. I) of your wonderful rig, are you able to go up to 2 GNDs without vignetting on 14mm FX?


I did some research and found that another way to DIY is to use a spare lens cap and a 105mm adaptor ring so that you can just slide the X Pro holder onto the ring, and save the extra steps making the DIY rings with acetate/foam. It can also take a polariser if the need arises but only up to 17-18mm.

Link to video: http://www.benjacobsenphoto.com/2010/gear/filters-for-lenses-that-cant-take-filters/

What do you make of this? Do you think this could be an alternative design? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Many thanks again!

lozzmann said...

Hi gnohz,

With Mk.II rig, I am not able to double stack the filters at 14mm.

Actually, that was my first idea to use the lens cap. Unfortunately, no one stocked the 105mm adapter so I couldn't see if it would work and I wasn't brave enough to order it on faith alone. Also Nikon Australia did not have any 14-24mm lens caps in stock.

Yeah, I would definitely go with lens cap version. Much easier to build. I just wish he built his before I did.

Anyway, mine costs me peanuts, just a lot of sweat and tears.

Regards,
Lawrie

gnohz said...

Hi Lawrie,

Thank you for your reply once again.
It's a pity that only 1 filter can be used at 14mm. Do you have any instances when you would really, really like to use 2 GND filters, but couldn't? Well, the only solution would be to use the lens at 16-18mm I guess.

But having said all that, 1 filter is definitely better than no filters for such a phenomenal lens :)

Although your rig cost you many tears and sweat, I'm sure it gave you a great deal of experience and fun as well. I guess I'll try both and see which works better for me.

lozzmann said...

Hi gnohz,

Not really, 16-18mm is plenty wide for the landscape shots I do. I just wished that Lee would make the big stopper to suit the X-Pro though.

Make the cap and 105mm ring version first. Much easier and less stress. All the best and let me know hoe you go.

Regards,
Lawrie

gnohz said...

Hi Lawrie!
It's been some time since I last asked for your advice on this DIY gig.

I'm happy to say that I have finally finished mine, all thanks to you! In short, I wasn't able to get a 100mm pipe, only 110mm, but this caused some problems as the surface area of the 105mm adapter ring is too little to be able to fit comfortably. In the end I did everything from scratch.

However, I have one last question. I tried one filter at 14mm, but it's only on the outer filter slot that doesn't give any vignetting. I tried the inner slot and adjusted the gig in all ways possible but there's still some slight vignetting present. Does yours give vignetting with one filter on the outer slot at 14mm FX?

In any case, I'm very happy with the results since it allows me to use one filter at 14mm! I'll post pics when I get them up.

lozzmann said...

Hi gnohz,

Sorry, I've been away. Great to see you've finally done it. Shame you couldn't get a 100mm pipe. I use the outer slot and push it all the way back until it touches the lens hood.

I too get vignetting when using the inner slot at 14mm. I able to stack 2 filters at 16-17mm without vignetting which is good enough for me.

Please do post your pics of your rig. Love to check it out.

Cheers,
Lawrie