COKIN launches NX-SERIES 100mm Filter Holder System
For over 40 years, COKIN has been conceiving, developing and manufacturing filter-holders and systems since their invention by Jean Coquin, its founder, in 1978. During this time, millions of professional and amateur photographers have been able to explore the scope of creative possibilities offered by these systems.
The CREATIVE Z-Pro filter-holder was launched in 2005 and since then, the 100mm-wide filter format has become the most popular size. In 2017, following the introduction of the new range of NUANCES Extreme mineral glass filters, COKIN upgraded its CREATIVE Z-Pro filter-holder into the new EVO version, optimised for long exposure photography.
Now, in May 2021, COKIN is pleased to announce the release of its new filter-holder system, called the ‘NX-SERIES’. This was conceived and optimised for wide-angle lenses such as the 16-35mm zoom and long exposures, which are both highly popular in landscape photography; a field in which the use of filters is important and recommended. The NX-SERIES filter-holder is made from premium aluminium and is both compact and lightweight.
As always, COKIN has made a point of developing a system which allows its loyal customers to re-use their existing equipment. COKIN prefers them to invest in photo-excursions and adventures, rather than spending their entire budget on new equipment.
Therefore, the NX-SERIES filter holder system is compatible with NUANCES Extreme filters, NUANCES Clearsky and Infrared IR720, as well as COKIN adapter rings in L (Z-Pro) size. COKIN has also extended compatibility to 100mm filters made by other manufacturers, provided they have a thickness of 2mm. This value is not yet an industry standard but it is very common, for example with the Little and Big Stoppers from LEE Filters®.
The NX-SERIES filter-holder uses metallic protective frames for such filters and these are available in 3 sizes:
– 100x100mm (for square filters)
– 100×143.5mm (for NUANCES Extreme graduated filters)
– 100x150mm (for graduated filters made by other manufacturers)
The metallic frames offer additional protection to the filters and allow for easy handling, even with gloves. The NX-SERIES filter-holder uses ball-bearings which exert gentle pressure to guide the frames in their slot, for smooth and precise operation. The metallic frames also enabled COKIN to increase the angle of view of the filter-holder and consequently to reduce the risk of vignetting, even with ultra-wide lenses such as 16mm.
Tested with the SONY FE 16-35mm F2.8 on a SONY A7RII body or with the CANON EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM on an EOS 5D MkIII body, there is no vignetting visible at 16mm, even with the complete configuration, including the polariser and two filters in frames. Note: This is still the case, even if you rotate the filter-holder by 45°. The same positive result was obtained with a FUJIFILM XT3 and the 10-24mm F4R OIS.
The NX-SERIES dedicated polarising filter is placed closest to the lens and can be rotated precisely using the adjustment wheel integrated into the filter-holder, regardless of the orientation of the filter-holder. Recessed areas in the filter-holder are provided for easy insertion and extraction of the polarising filter using gentle simple pressure. The NX-SERIES polarising filter is highly efficient and only absorbs 1 f-stop of light. It is provided with an individual protective pouch.
The NX-SERIES system will be available from late May 2021 through all leading photographic retailers.
Items in the NX-SERIES filter-holder system will be available individually with the following suggested retail prices:
NX Filter-holder: £99.99
NX Polarising filter with individual pouch: £79.99
NX Wallet (enables carrying of complete system with 6 filters and frames): £35.99
Individual NX frames (choice of 3 sizes): £17.99
Duo-pack of 2 NX frames: £31.99
(Frames are sold with a small screwdriver to install the filters, as well as stickers to note the model of filter, in case there is no indication marked on it).
From launch, the NX-SERIES system will also be offered in 5 different kits, to allow all users to equip themselves with savings. Each kit includes a carrying wallet, microfibre cloth, 3 adapter rings ø72mm, ø77mm and ø82mm as well as the new adapter ring cap, which protects the lens and allows the ring to remain attached.
Starter Kit: Includes filter-holder, polarising filter, one frame 100x100mm, one frame 100×143.5mm. This kit is ideal for users owning some NUANCES Extreme filters. SRP is £219.99.
Long Exposure Kit: Includes filter-holder, polarising filter, one neutral density NUANCES Extreme ND1024 10-stop filter (mounted in its frame ready to use). SRP is £269.99.
Landscape Kit: Includes filter-holder, polarising filter, one neutral density NUANCES Extreme ND1024 10-stop filter and one graduated neutral density filter S-GND8 soft, both mounted in their frames, ready to use. SRP is £359.99.Expert Kit: Take a Landscape Kit and add two additional NUANCES Extreme filters. One reverse-graduated filter R-GND8 (max 3-stops) and a brand new graduated neutral density filter with a “Hard” transition of 3-stops max. This filter is particularly efficient for short focal lengths which increase the length of filter transition into the picture (the “hard” graduation has a shorter transition area on the filter). SRP is £539.99
Professional Kit: Combines the Expert Kit plus two NUANCES Extreme full neutral density filters ND8 (3-stops) and ND64 (6-stops) mounted into their frame. The Professional Kit has a total of 7 filters. SRP is £689.99
Key points of the NX-SERIES system:
• 100mm wide filter-holder system with protective frames, optimised for wide-angle lenses such as 16-35mm zooms.
• Compatible with COKIN NUANCES Extreme filters in L size and 100mm filters with 2mm thickness, made by other manufacturers.
• The dedicated NX-SERIES polarising filter has a slim mount and only absorbs 1 f-stop
• Premium design, manufactured in CNC precision-machined aluminium.
• Compatible with COKIN CREATIVE adapter rings in L size, available from ø49mm to ø95mm.
Some examples of lenses tested for vignetting with NX-SERIES holder & filters:
• CANON RF 15-35mm F2.8L: No problem at 16mm. Only slight vignetting at 15mm if the filter-holder is rotated by 45° (disappears when straight).
• CANON EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM: No vignetting, even at 16mm
• NIKON Z 14-30mm F4: Slight vignetting only at 14mm, when the filter-holder is rotated by 45° (disappears when level).
• FUJIFILM XF 10-24mm F4R OIS: No vignetting, even at 10mm.
• SONY FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM: No vignetting, even at 16mm.
Dedicated webpage can be found at: www.nx-series.com
Find all the videos about the NX-Series system on Cokin’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpYCvpxHucdNsyyrLNkdF-Q
