Circular Polarizers

[jeffnles1]

Hmmm. A contrary experience with B+W here.

Is there such a thing as a counterfeit B+W?

I have bought a couple B+W 010 and 07 (UV and clear) filters with no problems but I have read accounts of fake B+W filters. Seems there was a rash of them a couple years back or at least suspected fakes. Not sure.

 

[Darwin]

I have the kase magnetic circular polariser….the 112mm set that they do for the Z 14-24 f2.8 S
the hood that takes the lenses also fits the z24-70/2.8 and the z70-200/2.8 and I got from Kase a £5 step up ring so I can use these with the z24-70/4 as well.

I use the same plus Nisi for all my other lenses. Love NISi!

 

[Patrick M]

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.

Exactly what I did and why. I follow both on YouTube.

 

[Steve W]

Seems the views and preferences are somewhat polarised.....

 

[PhilcTx]

Have coulple B-W CPL's - quality filters with no noticeable color casts and brass mounts for no lens thread binding:
58mm KSM HTC POL MRC F-PRO
67mm KSM HTC POL MRC nano XS PRO DIGITAL

 

[jeffnles1]

Have coulple B-W CPL's - quality filters with no noticeable color casts and brass mounts for no lens thread binding:
58mm KSM HTC POL MRC F-PRO
67mm KSM HTC POL MRC nano XS PRO DIGITAL

Thanks.

 

[jeffnles1]

Thanks all who offered perspective. Lots to think about. I have a while before I will need the filter. I'm leaning to B+W. Mainly because I've used B+W filters for years with good results. I was (and am) interested in other options folks may be using and what, if any, new developments in the CPL filters may have been out there. I do like the idea of the magnetic filters and if I did more landscape work where I was stacking different filters I may be more interested in those. I reckon it comes down to Hoya and B+W and Breakthrough (which is on backorder).

Again, thanks all for offering your perspective, advice and conversation

Jeff

 

[Roy]

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

Most of my long glass has slip in filters.
But I've heard the "Lenskins" makes really good value CPL filters etc...

 

[DrBob]

One thing: Circular Polarizing filters were needed on older cameras. The reason was the polarized light screwed up the focus and light meters. Newer camera sensors no longer have that issue, so Linear Polarizing filters work just fine and are much cheaper.

 

[Dave Stargazer]

Hmmm. A contrary experience with B+W here.

Is there such a thing as a counterfeit B+W?

I had a counterfeit B+W CP from a vendor via amazon - the performance wasn't good (of course), and when I figured out what was going on (and after contacting B+W to confirm the counterfeit), amazon gave me a refund. If you buy from amazon, be sure the *sold by* is an authorized dealer.

One brand of filters not mentioned so far is Formatt-HiTech Firecrest line - a German brand that is quite good, and a good value. All my ND filters are from them, and my 77mm CPL.

The B+W 67mm XS-Pro Kaesemann High Transmission Circular Polarizer MRC-Nano Filter I have has a bit of a brown-green color cast. Correctable in post, but annoying.

Going forward those Kase magnetic filters look very nice for the Z system.

Also, I only recently found out that the Z 112mm filter hood will fit _all_ the trinity, plus the 14-30mm...! Should be higher up in the marketing materials imo!

 

[Charles Loy]

One brand of filters not mentioned so far is Formatt-HiTech Firecrest line - a German brand that is quite good, and a good value. All my ND filters are from them, and my 77mm CPL.

I checked this brand out and B-H has a decent inventory. Thanks for the suggestion.
That said, I have a lost costly order with B-H that may cause me to move to another dealer. They have always been my go to dealer.

 

[RichF]

I have settled on BreakThrough Photography. Not cheap but why put a cheap filter on an expensive lens. Lifetime warranty though not sure what they guarantee (I won't damage the filter or the filter will not fall apart?)

 

[Charles Loy]

Lifetime warranty though not sure what they guarantee (I won't damage the filter or the filter will not fall apart?)

I have had the glass come loose on a couple filters. But yeah, they are usually trouble free