Mod a Cokin P007 to fit into a screw-in filter

This mod is particularly useful for photographers who shoot IR.
Cokin has an IR filter, the P007. It comes as a square plastic filter and would require Cokin's adapter to be mounted.
However, the adapter would cause light leaks.
This mod shows how the Cokin filter can be cut and sanded into a circle and fitted into a screw-in filter ring.

Note: For the Cokin P series, the largest filter ring size that it can be fitted to is 77mm.

Step 1: Main material & tools required

1. Screw-in filter ring (Try to use an old filter or buy a cheap UV filter).
For this mod, I'm using an old 52mm cross screen filter.

2. Cokin P series filter
For this mod, I'm using P007 IR filter.

3. Masking Tape
It'll be used to protect the Cokin filter during the cutting/sanding.
I'm using this Hunter brand. It's quite good as after removal it does not leave any adhesive residues.

4. Dremel
This is a high speed rotary tool. It'll be used for cutting and sanding the Cokin filter.
It's possible to use a saw and sandpaper, but it'll take much longer time.

5. Safety goggles and mask.
This is a must as you have to protect yourself from the plastic dust during sanding.

6. Small flat tip screw driver.

7. Water-proof sandpaper

Comments

[Questioneverything13]

I got an 950nm filter of eBay for $30US that is absolutely black no visible light gets through at all and use it on a Sony DSC-F707 that has "night vision" and this is the result.

[alvincredible]

ouch if i spent a bunch of money to buy a filtuer i wouldnt cut it :D BUT STILL great idea. Blehh..,.i want an ND Grad filter but i aint got 60 bucks.

[ark19]

Hi alvincredible, if you shoot IR photos, you'd understand why this mod is impt. If you plan to use the cokin IR filter with the cokin brackets, light leak will most likely spoil the images. With this mod light leakages will not be a prob. This is considered a low-cost start for IR photography if you consider the costs of owning a Hoya R72 filter, especially the larger diameter range...

[micromuffin]

lol

[pahillbilly]

Great idea for low cost ir(or any other) hard to find filters. The Cokin adapter ring is of particlar use for smaller or odd size filters. Also, Lee Filters has polyester 87 & 87C ir filters in 3x3 and 4x4 sizes for $13.95 and $23.95 respectivly

[ark19]

I love the b/w quality of the Lee #87. But it's quite fragile. I had used it in my Peleng 8mm fisheye lens. Very good results :)

[sglaw]

Great idea! For those without a mini drill or not too confident with accurate sanding, it may also be possible to glue the filter to a cokin adapter ring and trim off the outside.

[ark19]

Just be careful to prevent light leakage. :)

[GreenDay]

Wicked. The pictures are amazing in this. May I ask about you photographic set-up?

[ark19]

Hi GreenDay,
I borrowed a Tamron 90mm Macro lens for this shoot. Used a D200, SB800 firing from the side of a DIY $10 Macro Photo StudioDIY $10 Macro Photo Studio.
Cheers :)

[GreenDay]

Sweet set-up.

[ark19]

Thanks GreenDay :) Recently I bought a commercial one which could be folded flat. Didn't have space to store the DIY box. :( But the DIY is really good because of the low cost and it really works well. Cheers :)

[canida]

Very nicely done, and the macro shots of the job are superb!

[ark19]

Thanks Canida :)

[NachoMahma]

. Great job! Don't think I want to sacrifice any of my Cokin filters to try it, but now I know how to do it if I ever want to. Thanks. . Is water all that is required to remove masking tape residue? Or is there something special about the Hunter tape you use?

[ark19]

Thanks NachoMahma :) I use water to wash the filter as after the cutting/sanding, there will be plastic residue/powder. It will scratch your filter when you wipe the filter using cleaning cloth. If the masking tape that you use leave sticky residue, use some olive oil and rub it in. After that give it a wash and wipe dry. Finally, use a lenspen to clean up. Cheers :)