Help with using Cokin Filters
 

I have recently bought a Cokin P Filter holder and a P121M Grad ND Filter as well as a ND8 filter but I am unsure of how to use them correctly.

I am using a Canon 400D and want to proficent enough to use the setup in December where I will be in South Africa on holiday (I already know where and what i'll be shooting as I am South African and lived there)

From what i can understand my steps would be as follows? :

Setup tripod and Camera
Double check viewfinder (composition) and set focal length and focus manually.
Use AE Lock to lock exposure reading from grey card
Slide in my Filter of choice, probably be the ND4.
Re-compose and shoot.

Am I correct in this? Scense will mainly be Seascape sunsets and sunrises.

Any help and general tips would be fantastic! Seem to be ALOT of knowledge on these forums.

I would suggest starting here: [url]http://www.photoradar.com/reviews/buying-guides/camera-lens-filters[/url]

I have already read that article, informative as it explains what filters do, I already know this, however I am more after the steps used when using filters.

Your on the track to how I use them, you say you are using an ND4 is this an ND Grad 4 or an ND4.

What I tend to do is:-

Setup tripod and Camera using a hotshoe spirit level and use a remote or cable shutter release.

Switch camera to maual and set required aperture and set shutter speed according to the lightmeter line on the LCD.

Double check viewfinder (composition) and set focal length and focus manually or use auto focus on a set point and switch auto focus off.

Check IS is switched off if thn lens has it otherwise IS can get confused on a tripod.

Set shutter speed 2 stops back for an ND4 (you can find stop charts on the internet and there is a great IPhone app called "Longtime Exposure Calculator" to make live easier.

Take shot review on screen and histogram adjust shutter speed accordingly and take another shot if necessary.

If you are using graduated it is the same as above although you should not need to adjust the shutter speed, make sure the lines on the grad filter are level and only come down as far as you need.

Oh and if you are using a wide angle lens carefully check the corners aren't obscure by the filter system, if you can't avoid it then ensure you have room in the frame to crop it later.

I did a one to one with a pro and he did it pretty much the same way.

One final thing is invest in a circular polarizer as these bring out the blue in the sky and reduce reflections and can be stacked with ND filters also.

Thanks for sharing this Dave. I'm new to filters too, so this has been really helpful. :)

Excellent set of steps.

Great, that was just was I was looking for! So I was on the right-ish path.

I am already saving to invest in a circular polarizer to fit with my cokin system.

I will have a lookout for that "Longtime Exposure Calculator" as you said, that could come in useful.

Was I correct in my steps regarding AE Lock? That has always been a bit tricky for me.

Got that app. What a fantastic little piece of software! You perhaps know of any more little gems like that?