Cokin Filter Holder on Lumix DMC-ZS3 / TZ7

This filter holder LOOKS like it would work, but several factors were disappointing, as I demonstrate on this video. The Lumix DMC-ZS3 has an iris closing lens cover, so a stick on photographic filter wouldn't work. After thinking of various handmade designs to hold the Cokin plastic filters I owned from my 35mm days, I did the wise thing and searched for on. Hey, Cokin made one, and for less than $3!

It looks like a logical product. Plenty of sliding slits to accommodate different size cameras. The fold down design meant it wouldn't take up much space. The slots meant you could slide the graduated filters to get the right effect. BUT there were flaws nevertheless. So here's a silly video showing the weak points. Two can be worked around, but one would necessitate a matte black covering of the lens rims to cut down reflection. Looks like someone has to go back to the drawing board. And, yeah, it's only a point and shoot, what do you expect already?

One man on the www.dpreview.com Panasonic Forum holds his Cokin filters on with two rubberbands. OK, that would work, but watch the autofocus light.

On another theme, I used some music from my latest obsession, my only video game obsession ever..."World of Goo." Goo balls and structures are even starting to ooze into my dreams. There's a free demo of most of "Chapter One" at www.worldofgoo.com. Try it! As of this writing, I am on Chapter Three's first level. It's hard not to peek at the YouTube WOG posts, cause I like to figure it out.

Anyway, filters. Guess I'll just hold them up right on the lens if I really want to use one, and use a few rubberbands. A UV filter would be nice, and a neutral graduated one. The one on this video is a graduated bluish filter. Also, a filter to counteract the vertical streaks one can get using this camera when the lens picks up extreme glare off windshields. Does that exist?

Video made on Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9, a new program for me. Shot in AVCHD LIte format on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Lumix
• DMC-ZS3
• TZ7
• Cokin
• filter
• holder
• World
• of
• Goo
• Vegas
• Sony
• Movie
• Studio
• Platinum
• AVCHD
• Lite

[CarolJWright]

I think I am going to use two rubber bands to hold on the filter. The times I really decide to use the filter will probably be tripod, etc. As long as there is the physical distance between the lens and the filter, there is chance of capturing the reflection of the camera and/or having the camera try to focus on the filter surface.

[CarolJWright]

Too may flaws for me...to actually use it now.. The DMC-ZS3 has a very long telefoto, which means the lens actually bumps filter. The small autofocus light on this camera reads the filter as the area it should focus on...try sawing away corner of your cokin filter in that case. The reflection you can't do much about except to paint the chome rims of the camera matte black. Solution. rubberband the filter on! The filter costa about $3 at Amazon. Try it, cheap enough!

[BraveTallGoddess]

You have to clean your lenses. That is the first thing I do. Its not the Cokin that is focusing on the dirt on your lens. Dirty lenses will always present problems. Use tiffen tissues or the rocket blower

[crispijnvansas]

With such a filter set you'd better leave the crappy digital toycams and go for Large Format

[mybinhasbroke]

I have just managed to get my hands on the A300 Cokin filter holder, it has a much larger adjustment on it's base. May I suggest setting up the picture, then slide the filter in the holder and adjust it up to the lens before tightening the screw. Sadly trying to get hands on one of these holders is now like trying to get rocking horse dung.

[StabbyMcButterPants]

I like it, that woks very well minus the reflections.

Make a make shift cardboard matte box from showbox cardboard spray painted matte black. Or coat is with photographers felt (very fuzzy material that can be glued to anything).

[VicDeHaven]

Thank you Carol, for a very informative slant on a filter holder for the DMC ZS3/TZ7. I am beside myself waiting for the next batch of ZS3s to reach the USA (they are currently on backorder from Panasonic). There only seem to be left from the first batch. I think that they are fixing something. Perhaps tightening up the function knob.

Somewhere on the web I ran across an article on how to make a filter holder from a 2" PVC pipe cap and an old 47MM (I think) filter. looked real nice too.

[TheVideoexplorer]

what is the price of the filter holder ? it is really useful ?