filter for Tokina 12-24mm f/4

[cmulcahy]

I'm going to purchase a Tokina 12-24 and I was wondering what filter I should

purchase for it. It takes 77mm filters. I was thinking a polarizer for

landscape shots but I wasn't sure if that is a good fit for a wide angle lens or

not.

 

If a circular polarizer would be a good addition to this lens what brand do you

recommend? (I'd like to keep it under $100) I've seen some that cost around

$30 but they get really bad comments from past users.

[samuel_padgett]

I bought a standard polarizer for this lens, and it vignettes badly. Make sure you buy a thin polarizer (which are unfortunately more expensive).

 

Good info here on polarizers and wide-angle lenses here:

 

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/polarizers.shtml

[ShunCheung]

On a super wide lens, i.e. close to 12mm on the Tokina, a polarizer tends to over-polarize. For example, in any landscape shots with a blue sky, you'll tend to have a heavily darken sky, especially near the top corners.

 

The only filter I use on my Nikon 12-24mm is a 77mm UV filter for protection. IMO a polarizer is largely unnecessary, unless you happen to have other lenses that can share it with.

[cmulcahy]

Thanks Shun - that is what I thought might be the case. I think I'll just go w/ the UV filter for now. I really didn't want to drop $100+ on a filter. I do like the effect it gives but not that much.

[cmulcahy]

Thanks Samuel for that link. Good info.

[eric_arnold]

if you're planning on using a 12-24 for landscapes, there are situations when a polarizer is handy, i.e. for shots of reflections on water, reducing chances of overexposure from snow, etc. but shun is correct in describing the PL 's uneven effect on skies with a wide-angle lens. in any event, you're better off with slim filters.

[marshall]

I got a thin polarizer for that lens and love it. I use it less often for pure landscapes than I maybe used to on different lenses, in part because it's easy to get uneven skies. However, for controlling reflections and all the other purposes of polarizing, it's nice to have one around.

[photo5]

I have this lens and have not needed a polarizer for it, but a Hoya HMC Super UV filter

protects the front element on mine. I use a Moose Polarizing filter on my 18-70mm in the

summertime and enjoy it.

[fhmillard]

I use a B+W circular polarizer on this lens when I shoot in the high mountains to avoid the effects of snow reflection. Yes, there seems to be some "over polarization" darkening the sky, but I like that and it does wonders for clouds.

[vivid_earth_photographics]

I use a Nikon thin polarizer for this lens (actually, for all my lenses--I buy the 77mm since the Tokina is my largest and use step-down rings for the others). I find I just can't get an even effecton skies due to nature of how a polarizer works on wide-angle, but works fine on all else.

[bwcombs]

Chad, it's a good idea to have a cheap filter on this lens when storing and setting up, and

removing when shooting. The front element is pretty vulnerable to bumps and grinds. For the

most part, I've never shot with a filter on this lens and have had good luck with imaging.