badboy

Let's start a topic on circular polarizers. I know it has been discussed here before, but I did not see a thread on just circular polarizers.

If you have one of these filters, please list which one, and if possible, post some shots taken with that filter. Everyone loves to look at the deep blue sky, right?

There are way too many companies and even more options out there, so I am hoping this thread will help people who are looking to purchase one.

I also understand hvstar.com is one of the recommended places to buy as their prices and service are very good.

Billiam

I have the B+W 77mm MRC slim line (66-026598). The only negatives to it are inherent to all slim mount polarizers: a) it can get "stuck" on the lens because there's hardly anything to grab onto to unscrew it and b) they can be fairly difficult to adjust when you have a lens hood on.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Hoya Pro1 52mm CPL.

Both points made above are VERY valid. Haha I couldn't get my CPL off my lens for a week! Then I realized squeezing the hell out of it gets you nowhere. A light twist and it comes right off.

jupitersolo

77mm and 67mm B+W F-Pro's

Billiam

One more point on polarizers. Since a CPL may be the most expensive filter you purchase, you may be tempted to get a single filter for your largest size and then use step-up rings for lenses that have smaller filter diameters.

This works just fine except if you want to use a lens hood. Often times the hood will not be able to slide over the front of the lens when you have the "larger than native" size filter screwed on the front of it. Even if you're willing to deal with putting on the hood first, and then mounting the CPL, it's possible that you could have no room for your fingers between the inside of the hood and the outside of the filter.

badboy

Just ordered the B+W 77mm Kaesemann MRC SLIM Cir-POL.

I am planning on using this filter on the 10-22mm, which is why I got the slim design, and also the 17-40.

jupitersolo

Good Choice

LuvMyTSX

I have a Canon 77mm CPL. Thinking about getting a Hoya or B+W, but wondering if it's worth the money to switch. The Canon CPL has been fine for me.

stogie1020

From where and how much? I am going to need the 77mm for the same reason, and need to start shopping... HVStar has it for $150.

jupitersolo

That's about $30-$40 cheaper than B&H

badboy

I got it from Hvstar's ebay store so I could use the live cashback. I got the filter for 161.90, and got instant cashback in the amount of 47.97

The cashback is now back to 25%

Also, hvstar's ebay store prices are a little more than their website. However, using cb, the overall price becomes much cheaper.

stogie1020

I was just looking at that! Nice find.

I am seeing it for 159.90, and getting 39.98 back from live.com at 25%...

klepto

hoya 77mm pro1 CPL here

I believe all these were taken with it

rimz

-Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Thin Ring Multi-Coated Glass Filter

-Nikon 62mm Circular Polarizer II Thin Ring Multi-Coated Glass Filter

o4Komodo

iTrader: (2)

Previously had a Sigma DG Wide CPL cost me 115 CAD [after tax].
Got damaged half a month later....

Now I got a Hoya CPL. I believe it's just a regular Hoya filter.. non of that pro stuff. Was about 75$ CAD [before tax] at BestBuy... my discount brought it down to $26 CAD after taxes =]

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

What's the benefit of CPL filter? Just curious. I heard its good for car shoots but how?

reduce reflections on the body and windows??

sky looks more blue-ish? like that? can't we just do that via LR?

Thanks!

jupitersolo

Somethings are better left to equipment, than software.

srika

funny, I just noticed the other day that I have a Tiffen 77mm polarizer.

I've had it since owning the 5D, which has been 4 years. never tried it. lol

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

never?

srika

I've only seen it a couple of times since owning it, and then I forgot about it. lol. I think I'll try it out! Especially for the sky, it's much better to get that dialed in when you take the shot, as opposed to post-processing it.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I see. I should get one for my tokina 11-16 then..

Any particular one you guys recommend?

leftride

iTrader: (1)

a blue sky is a benefit, but things like reducing the reflection on glass and water can't be duplicated with software.

I have Tiffen CPLs and actually haven't been using them recently for some dumb reason.

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

This thread reminded me that I need to get an 82mm CPL.

Any particular reason to choose either Tiffen, B+W, or Hoya over each other? They're all relatively close in price.

Sarlacc

B+W is Schneider and they are the best. creme de la creme.

I believe Hoya is Zeiss

And tiffen is tiffen who has their main background in filters for the film industry.

Personally, I spend the extra money and go B+W.

stogie1020

After using the B+W K-Slim, I will warn folks that it comes with a "slip over" lens cap for a reason. That reason is that your current lens cap will not have enough "edge" to grip onto. I personally find it annoying, as I buy center pinch caps for all my lenses.

Is it the end of the world? No. Is it a little bit of a PITA? Yes.

Sarlacc

Its makes blues, purples, and greens pop.

Its reduces reflection and glare.

jupitersolo

There are Tiffens filters out there from $10 to $200, their newer one's Digital HT are the one's they say equal to the film camera filters. I have one of them but it's just a filter, HQ glass, not UV.

The rest of what I own are B+W, worth every $$$. FOr UWA you might want to get the slim, I have never found a problem using the regular ones on UWA though.

Sarlacc

Yeah, I've never been overly impressed by Tiffen for stills...they can be VERY cheap.

If given the chance, and pending on what the filter is...I tend to use Schneider in the film world. But Tiffen does make some great filters for the film industry. Anything outside of that I think is kinda junky.

VorteC

Hoya Pro-1 CPL

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

B+W 77mm SLIM CPL is like 180 bucks and Hoya 77mm Pro 1 SLIM CPL is 170 bucks. I can't go wrong with either choice right?

Sarlacc

http://www.amazon.com/77mm-Circular-...2433981&sr=8-5

dude...amazon is your friend...

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ Yeah, I actually got those pricing from Amazon..

Jbusiness

iTrader: (1)

B+W 77mm Kaesemann MRC SLIM Cir-POL and got mine from HVSTAR too.

synth19

Hoya 77mm PRO1 DIGITAL Circular Polarizer Filter DMC.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ Hi synth.

Do you usually use that filter when you shoot cars during the day?

Btw, I truly envy your photography skills.

synth19

I'm hardly @ the point of having legit "skills." Maybe in a few more years I'll be close to some of the guys here! But thanks for the compliment! I JUST got the filter last week and haven't tried it yet. The main reason I bought it was for shooting car events (which are typically @ noon- extremely sunny!), and for car shoots (to minimize reflections). Planning on using the filter tomorrow and Sunday.

badboy

This annoys me very much because it never stays on the lens. I would like to leave the cpl on my 10-22 pretty much all the time, however I have to take it off and store it in it's case because the cap sucks.

lcrazyaznl

iTrader: (1)

I just bought the 77mm cpl b+w im wondering if the slim is really slim cuz the hoya is almost a double filter, and when I stacked it with another nd filter it shaves off some room for the 11-16.

Ill update you guys =P

MWalsh9152

thanks for the reminded that I need to order a filter for my new 10-20!

synth19

Tried my filter for the first time yesterday... definitely was a trip. As I went through my pics, i was amazed at the various levels of saturation.. most of it was unintentional. lol