Circular Polarizers

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

jeffnles1

jeffnles1

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Marketplace
Member's gallery
What circular polarizers are you all using and are you happy with what you have?

I usually shoot wildlife, macro, flowers, and some landscapes. I just got a new 24-70mm Nikkor F2.8VR lens and want to add more landscapes and wider angle nature shots to my library. I do not have an 82mm CPL lens and was curious of what yo all are using. I have a 77mm (I think) Hoya but I've had it for several years and rarely used it since the only thing I have in that thread size is a 100-400 and for some reason I rarely use it there.

OK, back to question, I'd really be interested in hearing what you all use for a CPL and your experiences Pros/cons of your choice.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
Member's gallery
jeffnles1 said:
What circular polarizers are you all using and are you happy with what you have?

I usually shoot wildlife, macro, flowers, and some landscapes. I just got a new 24-70mm Nikkor F2.8VR lens and want to add more landscapes and wider angle nature shots to my library. I do not have an 82mm CPL lens and was curious of what yo all are using. I have a 77mm (I think) Hoya but I've had it for several years and rarely used it since the only thing I have in that thread size is a 100-400 and for some reason I rarely use it there.

OK, back to question, I'd really be interested in hearing what you all use for a CPL and your experiences Pros/cons of your choice.

Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...
I tried many different brands and types of polarizers, including Tiffen, Hoya, Nikon, and PolarPro, before finally landing on B&W CPLs. B&W filters are excellent, precision-made, German filters of exceedingly high quality. I've been extremely satisfied with their performance and results. They're not cheap but, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Lower end filters are not worth having, in my opinion. Your best option is to buy the best filter you can afford to fit your largest diameter lens, then pick up some cheap step-down rings so you can use it on other lenses.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
Hut2 said:
The only 2 which I have owned that I liked were Nikon CPL ii and Breakthrough Photography (I think X3).

I have had a few others but the color was to my satisfaction on these 2. I think I gave them away with some equipment a while back. :unsure:
Click to expand...
Thanks. I have used Nikon filters in the past with good results. I'm not familiar with Breakthrough. Looks like their CPL;s are all on backorder now,

Jeff
 
Member's gallery
Abinoone said:
I tried many different brands and types of polarizers, including Tiffen, Hoya, Nikon, and PolarPro, before finally landing on B&W CPLs. B&W filters are excellent, precision-made, German filters of exceedingly high quality. I've been extremely satisfied with their performance and results. They're not cheap but, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Lower end filters are not worth having, in my opinion. Your best option is to buy the best filter you can afford to fit your largest diameter lens, then pick up some cheap step-down rings so you can use it on other lenses.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I use B+W UF/clear filters on most of my lenses. (I know all the arguments against it....). I was looking at one of the B+W that runs about $170USD. Also one of the Hoya's that was about $135. I have a Hoya CPL in a different thread size and it seems to work well but honestly I've only used it a handful of times (Mainly in the springtime when the wood frogs are out and I need to cut water glare down).
 
Member's gallery
Warren D said:
Breakthrough. Color neutral, best I've used. Don't like B+W as they had a color cast. Nikon brand (supposedly Hoya) were ok but de-laminated. I still have a Hoya that I use as a backup.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I just checked and the Breakthrough size I need is on backorder but the good news is I don't need it tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out. What type of color cast did the B+W leave? Given how much I dislike the process of diddling with photos in post that could be a dissatisfier
 
Member's gallery
jeffnles1 said:
Thanks. I just checked and the Breakthrough size I need is on backorder but the good news is I don't need it tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out. What type of color cast did the B+W leave? Given how much I dislike the process of diddling with photos in post that could be a dissatisfier
Click to expand...
Brownish. Same with their ND's. I spent a fortune on B+W filters back in the 90's and have replaced them all. Never had filters lock to the lens like B+W, they'd do it every time. I spent extra for the brass rings. Complete waste of money.
 
Member's gallery
John Woodworth said:
B+W or go home!

Brass (I think). Doesn't bind in the threads. Smooth and controlled adjustment motion.

Spend $10k on a camera? Why fup every photo you take with a cheap filter?
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm not looking for cheap but looking for good. I don't mind spending money where it needs to be spent. Before I sink $170+ USD on a filter I was/am looking to hear what others are using.
 
Member's gallery
Warren D said:
Brownish. Same with their ND's. I spent a fortune on B+W filters back in the 90's and have replaced them all. Never had filters lock to the lens like B+W, they'd do it every time. I spent extra for the brass rings. Complete waste of money.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I've never used their ND filters use the UV/clear filters. Never had one stick to the lens threads but I can see where that would happen.
 
Member's gallery
Warren D said:
Brownish. Same with their ND's. I spent a fortune on B+W filters back in the 90's and have replaced them all. Never had filters lock to the lens like B+W, they'd do it every time. I spent extra for the brass rings. Complete waste of money.
Click to expand...
This is not at all my experience. I've tried many different brands before, and the B&W filters are by far the best, as good as Singh-Ray in my opinion. B&W are precision made, with stellar glass and rendition. No color issues at all, which is more than I can say about many other brands of polarizers. Perhaps you just had bad copies? The 90s were a long time ago! 🙂
 
Member's gallery
jeffnles1 said:
Thanks. I'm not looking for cheap but looking for good. I don't mind spending money where it needs to be spent. Before I sink $170+ USD on a filter I was/am looking to hear what others are using.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a color cast with B+W filters.

I use B+W F-Pro MRC or XSPro MRC - usually Kaesemann - most of the time, and Marumi as a secondary choice. The price point is somewhat dependent on the importance in my kit. I'll buy a better filter for 82mm, 77mm, and 62mm sizes which tend to be staples for multiple lenses.
 
Member's gallery
I just switched to Kase Wolverine magnetic filters based on the recommendations of Nigel Danson and Hudson Henry. The best thing is that the fact that they are magnetic. I find that I tend to use them more often as you just snap them in place instead of having to screw/unscrew them when you want a polarizer or ND filter.
 
Member's gallery
EricBowles said:
I've never seen a color cast with B+W filters.

I use B+W F-Pro MRC or XSPro MRC - usually Kaesemann - most of the time, and Marumi as a secondary choice. The price point is somewhat dependent on the importance in my kit. I'll buy a better filter for 82mm, 77mm, and 62mm sizes which tend to be staples for multiple lenses.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
 
Member's gallery
Al Wyman said:
I just switched to Kase Wolverine magnetic filters based on the recommendations of Nigel Danson and Hudson Henry. The best thing is that the fact that they are magnetic. I find that I tend to use them more often as you just snap them in place instead of having to screw/unscrew them when you want a polarizer or ND filter.
Click to expand...
that does sound interesting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top