Ebay Cokin lookalike filters any good?

voyager13 · 07-07-2012, 10:35 AM

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Hi Guys,

Has anyone bought and used these from ebay 6pcs ND2 ND4 ND8 Gradual ND2 4 8 Filter Set + 9pcs Ring Adapter for Cokin P LF6 | eBay

It would be interesting to know if those on ebay are as good as the original Cokins (Note I do not mention Lee here because Lees are a much higher quality filters though their prices are also higher than Cokins)

jase036 · 07-07-2012, 11:15 AM

Well Cokin filters are cheap filters, they scratch easily and usually produce magenta color casts when you stack several filters together (a true nightmare when using several ND with a GND), so I can't image how bad these filters must be for the complete set to cost a little more than a single cokin filter. Only reason I could think of to get this set would be to get the adapter rings on the cheap, but even then I would be afraid of poor quality materials and the threading not done properly.

voyager13 · 07-07-2012, 11:26 AM

Yes I suspect the threading may not be of good quality (as the expression goes 'you get what you pay for') Still would be great to know from someone who has purchased them from ebay to find out how long they last. I mean if they last 1-2 years than perhaps not a bad investment for the sake of just getting the adapter and rings, and then perhaps investing in good quality filters to fit on them. Who doesn't like cost-cutting?

jase036 · 07-07-2012, 02:49 PM

The problem is not so much how long they would last, the filter holder and rings are not subjected to pressure, so I doubt either would fail under normal use, the threading issue is also not one of being able to last a long time, a lot of lenses have plastic threading and if a metal adapter ring were to have defective threading, it could potentially damage the threading on the lens. You could try them carefully to see, but then I own 3 rings which fit most of my lenses, so having 6 of them is pointless.
There are several no-name adapter rings for Cokin P system for about 5 $ each on Amazon, some with user comments or reviews so you know what to expect. Just get the no-name rings that you need and you can probably save money and still get something you'll actually use.

pop4 · 07-07-2012, 09:10 PM

In my personal experience, the ebay knock-off filters aren't very good in that you'll end up with a strong magenta colour cast when using the filters, and especially once you start stacking them; and there is a limit on how much correction you can do on the computer. I have since replaced my filters with Hitech filters, which only have a very slight colour cast. On the other hand, I haven't had any issues with the knock-off filter rings and holders.

Ben_Edict · 07-14-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by voyager13

Yes I suspect the threading may not be of good quality (as the expression goes 'you get what you pay for') Still would be great to know from someone who has purchased them from ebay to find out how long they last. I mean if they last 1-2 years than perhaps not a bad investment for the sake of just getting the adapter and rings, and then perhaps investing in good quality filters to fit on them. Who doesn't like cost-cutting?

Why would anybody try these? The original Cokins are already comparetively cheap and crappy, why even bother to buy even poorer quality. Even the Chinese can not magically produce good quality for nothing.
If you want Cokin compatible filters for cheap, which still provide useable quality, you should look out for the Kood branded filters. I have the Cokin CPL and the Kood CPL and the Kood produces far less wrong colours and is all in all the better product. But in reality I never use it.

If you want really good filter quality, that starts with HiTech and then Lee and other brands, which you can still use in the cheap Cokin holders. The Chinese made holders and adaptor rings are fine in my experience and can easily replace the original Cokin ones.

Ben

voyager13 · 07-14-2012, 08:25 PM

Thanks Jase, Pop4 and Ben for such good information. Yes I should be looking for at least the Hitechs, if not the Lees. Perhaps a reasonably good quality holder, and just the rings from ebay.

Rafael · 04-21-2013, 12:08 PM

Here are some early results of my ebay cokin knockoff ND filter kit. It cost me US$20 shipped and includes three NDs and three graduated filters, adapters for everything, a filter holder and bag.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/222501-my-ebay...est-shots.html

Ben_Edict · 04-21-2013, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Rafael

Here are some early results of my ebay cokin knockoff ND filter kit. It cost me US$20 shipped and includes three NDs and three graduated filters, adapters for everything, a filter holder and bag.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/222501-my-ebay...est-shots.html

Hi Rafael
I had a quick look at your examples - thank you for posting these. The first two (without filter and the weakest ND) look similar in colour, but the other filters give a strong magenta cast. Nevertheless it is hard to judge in detail, as all shots suffer from a severe colour shift (white balance off?). The web images are also too low res and probably too compressed, to spot any differences in sharpness or contrast transfer. Taken all this into account, the sheer fact, that I am able to discern a strong colour shift by the stronger filters, seems testimony enough for their poor quality.

Regards
Ben

**Kerrowdown** · 04-21-2013, 01:04 PM

Just a thought, we all spend on a fortune on good quality lenses, right.

Why would we then want to put cheap resin sheets on their front ends?

voyager13 · 04-21-2013, 10:18 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Just a thought, we all spend on a fortune on good quality lenses, right.

Why would we then want to put cheap resin sheets on their front ends?

@kerrowdown - That's so true. As I try quality filters on my lenses, I can see that the image quality gets affected by poor quality filters compared to excellent filters is like night and day.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-22-2013, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by voyager13

Ebay Cokin lookalike filters any good?

Here's another thought, they would make good photography themed drinks coasters.

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-24-2013, 05:29 AM

Also be aware of any name brand filters on ebay that are coming from China, there are lots of fakes out there.

07-07-2012, 10:35 AM	#1
voyager13 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 211	Ebay Cokin lookalike filters any good? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi Guys, Has anyone bought and used these from ebay 6pcs ND2 ND4 ND8 Gradual ND2 4 8 Filter Set + 9pcs Ring Adapter for Cokin P LF6 \| eBay It would be interesting to know if those on ebay are as good as the original Cokins (Note I do not mention Lee here because Lees are a much higher quality filters though their prices are also higher than Cokins)

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07-07-2012, 11:15 AM	#2
jase036 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery Posts: 170	Well Cokin filters are cheap filters, they scratch easily and usually produce magenta color casts when you stack several filters together (a true nightmare when using several ND with a GND), so I can't image how bad these filters must be for the complete set to cost a little more than a single cokin filter. Only reason I could think of to get this set would be to get the adapter rings on the cheap, but even then I would be afraid of poor quality materials and the threading not done properly.

07-07-2012, 11:26 AM	#3
voyager13 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 211 Original Poster	Yes I suspect the threading may not be of good quality (as the expression goes 'you get what you pay for') Still would be great to know from someone who has purchased them from ebay to find out how long they last. I mean if they last 1-2 years than perhaps not a bad investment for the sake of just getting the adapter and rings, and then perhaps investing in good quality filters to fit on them. Who doesn't like cost-cutting?

07-07-2012, 02:49 PM	#4
jase036 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery Posts: 170	The problem is not so much how long they would last, the filter holder and rings are not subjected to pressure, so I doubt either would fail under normal use, the threading issue is also not one of being able to last a long time, a lot of lenses have plastic threading and if a metal adapter ring were to have defective threading, it could potentially damage the threading on the lens. You could try them carefully to see, but then I own 3 rings which fit most of my lenses, so having 6 of them is pointless. There are several no-name adapter rings for Cokin P system for about 5 $ each on Amazon, some with user comments or reviews so you know what to expect. Just get the no-name rings that you need and you can probably save money and still get something you'll actually use.

07-07-2012, 09:10 PM	#5
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	In my personal experience, the ebay knock-off filters aren't very good in that you'll end up with a strong magenta colour cast when using the filters, and especially once you start stacking them; and there is a limit on how much correction you can do on the computer. I have since replaced my filters with Hitech filters, which only have a very slight colour cast. On the other hand, I haven't had any issues with the knock-off filter rings and holders.

07-14-2012, 01:12 PM	#6
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by voyager13 Yes I suspect the threading may not be of good quality (as the expression goes 'you get what you pay for') Still would be great to know from someone who has purchased them from ebay to find out how long they last. I mean if they last 1-2 years than perhaps not a bad investment for the sake of just getting the adapter and rings, and then perhaps investing in good quality filters to fit on them. Who doesn't like cost-cutting? Why would anybody try these? The original Cokins are already comparetively cheap and crappy, why even bother to buy even poorer quality. Even the Chinese can not magically produce good quality for nothing. If you want Cokin compatible filters for cheap, which still provide useable quality, you should look out for the Kood branded filters. I have the Cokin CPL and the Kood CPL and the Kood produces far less wrong colours and is all in all the better product. But in reality I never use it. If you want really good filter quality, that starts with HiTech and then Lee and other brands, which you can still use in the cheap Cokin holders. The Chinese made holders and adaptor rings are fine in my experience and can easily replace the original Cokin ones. Ben

07-14-2012, 08:25 PM	#7
voyager13 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 211 Original Poster	Thanks Jase, Pop4 and Ben for such good information. Yes I should be looking for at least the Hitechs, if not the Lees. Perhaps a reasonably good quality holder, and just the rings from ebay.

04-21-2013, 12:08 PM	#8
Rafael Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 30	Here are some early results of my ebay cokin knockoff ND filter kit. It cost me US$20 shipped and includes three NDs and three graduated filters, adapters for everything, a filter holder and bag. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/222501-my-ebay...est-shots.html

04-21-2013, 12:37 PM	#9
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Rafael Here are some early results of my ebay cokin knockoff ND filter kit. It cost me US$20 shipped and includes three NDs and three graduated filters, adapters for everything, a filter holder and bag. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/222501-my-ebay...est-shots.html Hi Rafael I had a quick look at your examples - thank you for posting these. The first two (without filter and the weakest ND) look similar in colour, but the other filters give a strong magenta cast. Nevertheless it is hard to judge in detail, as all shots suffer from a severe colour shift (white balance off?). The web images are also too low res and probably too compressed, to spot any differences in sharpness or contrast transfer. Taken all this into account, the sheer fact, that I am able to discern a strong colour shift by the stronger filters, seems testimony enough for their poor quality. Regards Ben

04-21-2013, 01:04 PM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,866	Just a thought, we all spend on a fortune on good quality lenses, right. Why would we then want to put cheap resin sheets on their front ends?

04-21-2013, 10:18 PM	#11
voyager13 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 211 Original Poster	Originally posted by kerrowdown Just a thought, we all spend on a fortune on good quality lenses, right. Why would we then want to put cheap resin sheets on their front ends? @kerrowdown - That's so true. As I try quality filters on my lenses, I can see that the image quality gets affected by poor quality filters compared to excellent filters is like night and day.

04-22-2013, 01:18 PM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,866	Originally posted by voyager13 Ebay Cokin lookalike filters any good? Here's another thought, they would make good photography themed drinks coasters.

04-24-2013, 05:29 AM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,296	Also be aware of any name brand filters on ebay that are coming from China, there are lots of fakes out there.