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COKIN filters are the brainchild of Jean Coquin, a highly successful French professional landscape and fashion photographer working for world-leading brands in the 1960s. He also had a passion for creativity, invention and innovation. His desire to break through the limitations of film photography at the time led him to develop filters for his own use. He went on to design and create filters that would revolutionise the world of photography and filmmaking, combining quality, affordability and ease of use. COKIN filters quickly gained popularity with both amateur and professional photographers, all around the world. Here are some of the key steps in the COKIN story.
1972
Jean Coquin pioneers the use of CR39® organic glass for creating photographic filters. Commonly used for prescription lenses in eyeglasses, the material has ideal characteristics for photo filters, including being lightweight, robust and perfect for tinting. The ‘Cromofilter SA’ company was founded the following year in 1973, to distribute the first range of screw-in filters. These included graduated density filters in which the glass could be rotated by using a small lever.
1978
Following on from his screw-in filters, Jean Coquin invents the square filter system, which he presents at Photokina, the world’s biggest photographic trade fair at the time. Named ‘Series A’, the system is based on a plastic ‘drop-in’ holder that can accommodate multiple square or rectangular filters with a width of 67mm. An adapter ring available in various sizes secures the holder to the lens of a camera. Immediate success sees distribution partners being signed up in the UK and USA, leading on to global expansion in over 30 countries.
1980
To suit creative photographers who want to take their imagery beyond a purely natural view, for example exaggerating blue skies or golden sunsets, COKIN introduces its first range of coloured solid and graduated filters. To showcase the effects, Jean Coquin creates a miniature catalogue that accompanies filter sets, illustrated with his own images taken with the many and varied filters. He also publishes a special edition of the ‘Chasseur d’Images’ magazine to exhibit a variety of creative filter effects.
1982
Wide-angle lenses are in the ascendency and COKIN responds with a new ‘P Series’ filter system which has a larger 84mm width than the 67mm of the original Series A. With more than 120 filters in the line-up, the P Series soon becomes the world’s most popular filter system. Highlighting COKIN’s central role in the global filter market, Colin Glanfield publishes ‘Techniques of Filters and Special Effect Photography’ in the UK, while other books are published in different countries, creating further interest throughout the global photographic community.
1996
The company that was originally founded as Cromofilter SA is rebranded as COKIN SA, to give it a stronger identity. Two years later, the X-PRO Series is launched in 1998, catering to videographers as well as to photographers with large-format cameras. Further innovation follows in 2005, with the launch of the Z-PRO System, designed to meet the needs of the most demanding professional photographers, offering the utmost in practicality, reliability and ergonomics.
2011
COKIN is acquired by the Japanese group Kenko-Tokina Co. Ltd. (President: Toru Yamanaka) but remains independent with its own manufacturing, marketing and distribution channels. The following year sees a reinvention of screw-in filters, with the launch of PURE Harmonie and PURE Excellence ranges, based on extensive research and development. PURE Harmonie filters with aluminium frames are engineered to be the thinnest and lightest in the world.
2015
This year sees the introduction of COKIN NUANCES mineral glass filters, including the ND1024 which becomes the first high-density filter to be entirely neutral. The range also includes the world’s first graduated neutral density filters to become available based on this type of glass, featuring a nano-structure metallic alloy to ensure absolute neutrality and consistency. The following year also sees the launch of the COKIN RIVIERA Classic tripod, with its vintage aesthetic.
2017
A new EVO filter holder marks an evolutionary step forward. Designed for expert and professional photographers, the EVO represents a complete rethink and redesign. The result is an upgradeable, modular drop-in filter holder made from top-quality aluminium.
2018
Building on the success of NUANCES filters, a new NUANCES Extreme range is launched, based on tougher tempered mineral glass, renowned for its high transmittance and low reflection. Options include graduated, reverse graduated, centre graduated and solid neutral density options. The range is further extended the following year with NUANCES CLEARSKY filters to reduce light pollution at night, and NUANCES INFRARED 720 filters, a mineral glass equivalent of the popular Infrared 007 organic glass filter but with enhanced resolution to suit modern digital image sensors.
2020
The award-winning NX Series filter holder is launched, with its innovative metallic protective frames. Designed to accommodate filters with a width of 100mm and a thickness of 2mm, the filter holder is optimised for use with wide-angle lenses and can accommodate a dedicated polarizing filter with an integrated rotating system.
2023
COKIN marks its 50th anniversary at the forefront of photographic filter development and production. As a member of the Kenko-Tokina group and distribution company for TOKINA, Hoya filter, Kenko, SLIK and Formatt Hitech, COKIN celebrates half a century in bringing new possibilities to creative photographers, all around the globe.