Cinetactics MatteBlox + Cokin P Filters?

[white_2kgt]

So I ordered a MatteBlox and it will be here tomorrow, I also ordered a Cokin P Filter holder. I had to get a few stepup rings from B+H video so I ordered a P102 Cokin Filter as well, that stuff came the other day. I thought the Cokin P filters were just a flat pane of glass but the one I got is pretty thick and is encased in a housing. I don't see how it's going to fit into the cokin p filter holder by Cinetactics. The holder looks like this,

http://www.cinetactics.com/imager/mb-fhcp_1.jpg

I thought the filter would look like this,
http://www.pictureline.com/images/medium/CO7046_CokinFLD.jpg

But it's encased in a plastic housing and is concave. This is the filter I got,
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/14431-REG/Cokin_P102_P102_Close_Up_.html

I assume I screwed up? What should I have ordered to use in the P filter holder from Cinetactics? I was hoping to have all this for a little trip this weekend but doesn't seem to be the case.

Thanks,
Chad

[Simon Hughes]

Chad,

What you ordered is really a lens, not a filter. As such, it is a different form factor than the traditional Cokin filters which are very slim. You will probably need a filter holder (as shown in your bottom picture) to mount the lens into.

Because it is a lens, I doubt that the Cinetactics filter holders will easily align it properly. I think you'll need to have it aligned exactly parallel to the HV20's lens to get the best images.

I have the Cinetactics also and it's great as a shade, but not good for use with Cokin type filters, at least not the ones that I use which are ND grads. I have to take the Cinetactics off to use the grads. You need to be able to slide the ND grad up/down to match it's effect to the scene.

Be aware also that using the Cokin filter holder with the WD-H43 is an issue at the widest setting... you will see the filter holder in the image. Cokin does sell a new version that is slim and only allows a single filter in it, but most of us just cut the regular holder to the same depth.

Cheers,

Simon

[white_2kgt]

Thanks Simon, I don't have the H43 yet, so I'm just using their ring and some B+H stepup's. If the Cinetactics can't hold filters correctly then its basically an overpriced hood and not a true mattebox?

How could I ensure that I am getting 'filters' and not a 'lens'? From my limited knowledge I ASSumed I could put Cokin P filters in a Cokin P filter holder, how stupid of me :(

[white_2kgt]

Hum, I think I see now. I need to make sure the filter specifies 'Resin' filter at BHPhoto for it to slip in the Cinetactics Cokin P Holder. Now the delima of do I return the P102 or get the proper adapters to use it on my DSLR...

[Simon Hughes]

It will work fine for regular P filters. My issue is that the only filters I use are polarizer (and I have 77mm ones I use (with step-up ring), a 77mm 4-stop ND filter and the ND grads. In the past I used warming filters but you can do that by using your white balance or adjusting WB in post.

[white_2kgt]

Just in case anyone else is new to this kind of filter system I'll post a few pics of what's going on.

Basically the front of the camera is 43mm, since I was getting the MatteBlox (http://www.cinetactics.com/Page.bok?template=c_canon_hv20)and wanted to use it w/o a WD lens I also got the 72mm threaded adapter (http://www.cinetactics.com/Detail.bok?no=3). To make this work I got a B+W 43mm->58mm step up ring (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11643-REG/B_W_65069464_43mm_to_58mm_Step_Up.html) and a 58mm->72mm step up ring (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11674-REG/B_W_65069438_58mm_to_72mm_Step_Up.html)s. I chose to use 58mm as the intermediary as I have a Canon Digital Rebel and my primary lens is a 58 for which I have several screw in filters. It's also right there in the middle or so size wise. There are other brand of rings that are cheaper, so to each his own.

Now, on to the filters. To use the Cokin 'P' filters with the Cinetactics Cokin P Filter Holder (http://www.cinetactics.com/Detail.bok?no=8) you need to be sure to order RESIN filters. If you want to use any of the Cokin P Filter Lens you will need a Cokin P Filter holder and screw in adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/474688-REG/Cokin_CBP40058__P_Series_Filter.html) (I actually went to Ritz and got the Quantaray brand Cokin P Filter holder and Quantaray 58mm adapter). The screw in adapter will mate to your lens size and snap into the holder, then the lens AND/OR resin filter will slide into the holder. The holder I got will hold 3 Resin filters or 1-2 Filters and 1 lens (depending on the lens of course).

Pictures below,
http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14595-3/IMG_4718.JPG
This is the 43mm to 58mm Stepup Ring, this screws into the HV20 and then the Cokin P Filter Adapter screws into it.

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14601-3/IMG_4720.JPG
This is the Cokin P Filter Adapter, as you can see, it is 58mm

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14604-3/IMG_4721.JPG
This is the Cokin P Filter Holder, the adapter above snaps into the back.

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14607-3/IMG_4722.JPG
This is the holder assembled with a 'Warm' filter, this is a Resin filter, the kind that will also slide into the Cinetactics Cokin P Filter Holder (http://www.cinetactics.com/Detail.bok?no=8).

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14619-3/IMG_4727.JPG
This is it attached to the HV20.

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14628-3/IMG_4730-Edit.jpg
Again, attached to the HV20.

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14649-3/IMG_4739.JPG
This is a Close Up Lens, P102, this WILL NOT, fit into the Cinetactics Cokin P Filter Holder (http://www.cinetactics.com/Detail.bok?no=8).

http://www.2kgt.com/gallery/d/14655-3/IMG_4743.JPG
Again, this is the P102 Lens mounted in the Cokin P Filter Adapter on the HV20.

The purpose for the P102 is to allow the camera to focus in REALLY close on an object where the normal camera is unable to focus. I took some screenshots using the HV20 with the filter in place and you REALLY have to zoom up on something for this to be of any use. I still need to do some testing with it on my SLR to see if it's going to be useful. I had to hookup the HV20 to my 50" Plasma to focus it manually, the AF was useless.

This stuff may be old hat to most of you here, but it was all new to me and there wasn't much info on the 'net regarding the Cokin filters and how it all went together, sure once you get them in hand it's easy to figure out, but a little daunting at first. I have a box full of screw in filters, these square Resin filters should be interesting to mess around with, they are cheap enough.

I'll post more pictures once the Matteblox comes in.