Which filter brand ??

CanonFan

Shopping for a circular polarizer. I'll need a slim one for wide angle lens, but does it have to be multi coated? Is B&W really better than Tiffen/Hoya ?

Art Scott

Take a look at Singh Ray(sp?), Heliopan, LEE, and Cokin for flat rectangualr filters, holders and lens adapters......a 4x5 filter / with holder and adapter(s) will work on proabaly all your lenses......
Using a flat filter systems gives the best possibility of using the same filter on many lenses.....in the long run it can be the least expensive method.............

ziggy53

Of the brands that you mentioned, Tiffen is demonstrably poor quality. Both B+W and Hoya multi-coated (HMC) are very good quality.

Specifically, how do you wish to use the filter? (What subjects, background, sky and lighting?)

What lenses do you wish to use the polarizer on?

At what focal lengths and which camera body (bodies)?

JimKarczewski

For lens mounted, B+W or Hoya, for Square or 4x6 filters with holders, Lee. I have a couple of Cokin Z, they are fine, but they are also resin. For $100 ea I'd prefer glass, but that's what came in the package.

I just bought a 110mm c. polarizer, B+W. I bought something I could mount to my flat filter holder (Cokin Z holder) so I didn't have to buy one for each lens I own. Now I can use the same filters with all my lenses, which is quite nice. Get a new lens, just need to get a new adapter ring (about $20) vs a new filter.

CanonFan

I'm getting this CP filter for the 24mm 2.8 on my 5D and 5DM2 , for landscapes. I already have a 77mm for my 17-40 , so I'd like to stay with lens mounted filters. I just didn't know if spending the extra $ for multi coated was worth it? I'm seeing a good buy on B&W, and Hoya non coated but the MC's are quite a bit more $.

ziggy53

You might consider adapters (step rings) that will neck your 77mm filter down to the 58mm filter threads of the Canon EF 24mm, f2.8.

The multi-coated filters tend to be higher in contrast and have less internal reflection for specular and pointilistic lights. I use HMC filters except for one B+W multi-coated filter on my EF-S 17-55mm, f2.8 IS USM.

Marumi filters tend to test well but I have been hesitant to consider or recommend them.

A good place to shop for filters:

http://2filter.com

http://2filter.com/hoya/hoya_hd_filters.html

http://www.2filter.com/prices/B+W_filters/B+WCircularPolarizers.html

http://2filter.com/marumi/marumisuperdigitalHG.html

A review site which shows the relatively poor performance of Tiffen filters (which matches my experience).

http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

JimKarczewski

What Ziggy said. If you can buy stepdown adapters, why spend more money on the same type filter? What I would do is buy for the biggest lens you have (mm wise) and then get a stepdown for the other lenses you own.

CanonFan

Well, the stepdown rings are about $10 a piece, and I'd need two to go from 77 to 58. Then if I wanted to switch lenses fast, I'd have to wrestle with the rings to switch the filter ...think I'll just get another CP . Thanks for the help, though!!

Icebear

B&W filters are worth the extra $$$ IMO. They're brass, not aluminum. Not as likely to bind or get buggered up.

NeilL

What Icebear says has to be considered. I have a little set of Hoya and Cokin filters. The Hoya are top of range and beautiful, but being aluminium stick to the lens on contact like mall teen lovers, and likewise as embarrassing to be seen trying to prise apart. It has been suggested to use nose grease on the threads before fitting. In the case of the aluminium filters, that is!

Neil

Art Scott

NeilL wrote: »

What Icebear says has to be considered. I have a little set of Hoya and Cokin filters. The Hoya are top of range and beautiful, but being aluminium stick to the lens on contact like mall teen lovers, and likewise as embarrassing to be seen trying to prise apart. It has been suggested to use nose grease on the threads before fitting. In the case of the aluminium filters, that is!

Neil

Does nose grease = anti-cease lube......that has brass particle in it to keeep things from ceasing together??

NeilL

Art Scott wrote: »

Does nose grease = anti-cease lube......that has brass particle in it to keeep things from ceasing together??

I guess what's in your nose grease depending on where it's been...

But the lube sounds like a good idea.

Neil

scole

I shoot landscapes and I've bought B+W CPLs for all my lenses. I love their quality and there's no color cast. Another thing I found out is that their CPL is darker than compared with Hoya's HD CPL filter. The guy at my local camera store talked me into buying the Hoya but that's when I noticed the darkness difference and returned it in favor of the B+W.

One thing I did like about the Hoya was that is still had threads in the front end of the filter despite being a slim mount filter. This allows you to still use a traditional lens cap. B+W slim filters don't have threads so I've had to switch to neoprene front covers from OP-Tech for all my lenses.