Cokin Nx-series CPL

£80 / $80 www.cokin.com

Cokin first started making photographic filters in 1978 and, for a long time, they were the go-to brand for amateur photographers. These days, the cheesy rainbow and keyhole filters have fallen by the wayside but the company is still a strong competitor in the filter market. The Nx-series is a new filter system that is compatible with the 100mm square and rectangular filters. Cokin makes the Nx-series Holder from aluminium, so it’s strong and lightweight. It can also hold the Nx-series CPL filter so that it’s the closest filter to the lens while a metal wheel allows the filter to be rotated. Cokin sells the Nx-series Holder and CPL filter separately, but they are available together in a number of kits, including the Nx-series Starter Kit, which includes 72mm, 77mm and 82mm adapter ring plus a 100x100mm frame and a 100x143.5mm frame for holding Cokin Nuance square or rectangular filters – or other filters of the same size and 2mm thickness. The Schott B270 high-resolution mineral glass of the Cokin Nx-series CPL is held in an aluminium frame, which is narrower on the side closest to the lens. This enables the filter to be snapped into the Nx-series Holder. The teeth of the cog-like wheel in the holder fit into the ridges on part of the filter frame, enabling the wheel to drive the filter around and adjust the degree of polarization. With an Nx-series adapter ring on the lens it’s just a case of pulling back the catch on the Holder and aligning it on the ring before releasing the catch. It creates a secure and snug fit but the holder can still be rotated to angle any graduated filters correctly. Mounting the Cokin Nx-series CPL reduces the exposure by around a stop, but there’s no noticeable impact on image quality so detail levels remain the same. There’s also no sign of vignetting with wide lenses. Along with the increase in saturation, images appear a little warmer when the filter is in use – but this may not be to everyone’s taste.

N-photo verdict

The Cokin Nx-series CPL integrates nicely into the Nx-series system. It also offers a neat means of adjusting the degree of polarization, making the system a little more advanced than some of the competition.

PROS Aluminium holder; uses a polarization adjustment wheel

CONS Only compatible with Cokin Nx-series Holder; tricky to remove

5

Overall