Best Polarizing Filters ?

[paul_c8]

<p>Im in the market for some new polarizing filters, mine have taken a battering over the years and im still using the same old Hoya 77mm ones with a step down ring from my Mamiya 6x7 days.<br>

I have been looking on BH but am not to sure about there reviews, money is no object for this buy but does the most expensive mean the best ? Im after some 72mm filters as most of my canon primes are 72 35 1.4, 50 1.2, 85 1.2 and 135 2. Also need to bare in mind I need the least amount of Vignetting.<br>

I did hear that Heliopan were good but someone mentioned you cannot use them with lens hoods ? (Is this true)Brands im looking at on line are Heliopan, Hoya, B+W, Rodenstock, Singh-Ray, Tifen, Cokin, Canon basically all the ones that are standard polarizing fiters on BHPhoto. <br>

Is there any other brands I should look at ?<br>

Any help or reviews would be great, Cheers.</p>

<p> </p>

[Hector Javkin]

<p>Bob Atkins has an excellent article on this <a href="/equipment/filters/"><strong>here on photo.net</strong></a>. If you look for his site, he also had some comparisons as to how much reflection (and thus flare) different filters create.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I have been looking on BH but am not to sure about there reviews.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Unsure about user reviews at B&H or about B&H as a store? For me it's the best place to buy photo equipment.</p>

 

[paul_c8]

<p>I was meaning the reviews from buyers, maybe the reviews are coming from more ameture photographers than pro's where they may not be able to pick up on specifics so easily. <br>

Thanks for the link, was quite helpful but it was last updated in 2007 have polarising not got any better in quality in the last 6 years ?<br>

I don't use polarizers to much but these last 2 days I have been working on the back of the TVC doing the stills and there were a few times with reflections that mine didn't quite do what I wanted them, so in the market for a whole new set the best you can buy.</p>

[JDMvW]

<blockquote>

<p>but does the most expensive mean the best ?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It would be an easier world if that were true, wouldn't it? However, there are other questions you might also ask:</p>

<ul>

<li>"How much better is one filter than another?"</li>

<li>How much better is the "best" filter (let's say, in optical terms, for the argument) than the second or even third best?</li>

</ul>

<p>One thing you can be absolutely sure of is that the last little bit of perfection is much harder to achieve than the first 99% of perfection.<br /> I have really liked the quality of the B+W brand filters I've got, and I understand that the Heliopan ones are of a high construction and materials standard too. On the other hand, I have used the better grade Hoya filters for many years and have had no reasons to complain, nor can I see any obvious optical degradation from them any more than from the B+W filters of the same kinds that I have.<br /> On the other hand, I bought a bright red ring UV (so-claimed) 72mm filter on eBay for something like US$2 (post paid) from China just as a joke. I tried it out and honestly I could see no adverse effect of the filter on the images.</p>

<p>Looking just now, I see that the cheapest 77mm polarizing filters have sold on eBay recently for $1.79 post paid, and the most expensive sold filter was a Singh Ray "Gold/Blue" polarizer for over $300 (I do love my old "<a href="/classic-cameras-forum/00bMcA">Colorflow™" filters from Spiratone</a>, I do).<br /> <br /> I am pretty sure that the $1.79 one was was not so hot, but I can't imagine paying $300 or so, even for specialty polarizers.<br /> I'm guessing that the better grade Hoya filters at around $100-150 would be plenty good, but watch out for counterfeits. I'd buy from a reliable dealer rather than spending so much on eBay - it's awfully easy to print anything you want on the rim of a filter and they even make "official" looking copies of the packaging ....</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[western_isles]

<p>I first started out using cheap filters but then 'graduated' to Hoya which are very good. I now use either Heliopan or B+W both of which I think are outstanding. For polarisers I go for the higher quality Kaesemann.</p>

<p>I use a Heliopan polariser with my Lee graduates and have been very happy with the results.</p>

<p>If you have top notch lens' don't compromise on filters it's a waste of money.</p>

 

[david_henderson]

<p>I've never heard a bad word about the B+W MRC (multi-resistant coated) polarisers, and thats what I use, in slim or std mounts as necessary. </p>

<p>Most of the bigger players have a range of products at different price/quality points. So its difficult to say , for example, whether Hoya are good or mediocre since they sell both and aren't great at making clear where in the range you're buying. </p>

<p>Personally I've had problems with the engineering quality of Heliopan filters and rings- binding, glass and mount separation and so on and I gave up on them some years ago since I can get equivalent glass quality from B+W without the grief. Similarly I had initially good experience with the Hoya Pro 1 filters till the coatings started to wear off leaving a kind of strange mottled residue. Again nothing like that from any B+W filter I've bought. </p>

 

[Antonio di Lussi]

<p>I would also give the thumbs-up for B+W MRC or Kaesemann polarisers.</p>

<p>Recently, I have also been very happy with the HD ('Heavy Duty') series bij Hoya, as these are (so far) very scratch-resistant, and easy to clean when dirty. The heavy duty character of the Hoya HD filters comes as a big bonus when doing stuff like shown in one of my videos (<a href="

), where my 'subjects' get pretty darn close to the camera ;-)</p>

[nsfbr]

<p>I have found Lenstip.com's tests to be very informative. Here is a link to their polarizer test:</p>

<p>http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test.html</p>

<p>And here is a link to their UV filter test:</p>

<p>http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html</p>

<p>What I use are B+W, Marumi, and Hoya HD. Yes, I have several sizes of these things. They are all good. </p>

[Brad_]

<img src= "http://citysnaps.net/2013%20photos/RV%20City.jpg"><P>

 

I have a question about polarizing filters...<P>

 

Lately I've been shooting a lot of photographs through the window inside various trains, with a 24-105 f/4

zoom. With my lens not being directly against the window, I pick up reflections of light coming though

windows on the other side of the aisle, and from the strip lighting that runs across the length of the train

car, about two feet down from the ceiling. The photo above show's across-the-aisle window reflections.<P>

 

Will a circular polarizer help (both sunlight from across the aisle windows as well as the train's interior lighting)?

How much should it help?<P>

 

Any other tips? Thanks...

[sean_anderson5]

<p>Yes, a CPL will knock out pretty much all of the reflection. I use a Fotdiox CPL that comes in a kit with a UV filter and an ND8. Works like a charm.</p>

[dan_meyers1]

<p>@Brad,</p>

<p>The reflections from across the isle might not be controlled at all using a polarizing filter because the polarizing effect is strongest with light coming from ~45 angle relative to the front of the lens.</p>

<p>Depending on your tolerance for public displays of professional weirdness, why not McGiver a 2'x2' piece of black foamcore with a hole for the zoom? Whip it out, place over lens, shoot, whip it away!</p>

[Brad_]

Dan... Excellent idea, I'll give it a whirl. I have no qualms about displaying weirdness, professional or

otherwise...

[jay_drew]

<p>Paul<br>

B+W Cir Pol MrC Nano Kaesemann filters w/ a standard sized threaded front ring are available from B&H in the 77mm size for ~$150. I know because I bought 1 w/ in the last year. I lean toward using a standard larger filter w/ a step up ring, than paying a huge premium for the low profile filters if it is at all possible to get away w/o vignetting.</p>

<p >Best, Jay Drew</p>

[howard_m]

<p>get one of the rubber-y collapsible lenshoods and press it against the glass. </p>