Circular Polarizers

[QurazyQuisp]

I just purchased a Sony Alpha a200 DSLR. I won't have it until mid next week, but I'd like to purchase a circular polarizer as I love the effect that they have on the sky/clouds.

I've been looking into hoya screw ons... but I was wondering, is there any huge difference between say the $20 ones to $100?

Does anyone have any recommendations? (I need a 55mm one)

 

[shocksyde]

hvstar.net is great for filters.

I'd say Hoya is a good choice. Try to get one that is multicoated.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

What are the benefits of multicoated? am I going to notice a difference?

It just feels like it's one of those things where people claim that they are better, but there isn't really any proof. Like, speaker wire for example. Some audiophiles claim that the $500 cables they use for their speakers sound better than cutting up an extension cord and using that... but when doing a blind sound test they can't tell the difference.

Are you sure you meant hxstar.net? it's all in chinese. ( I think)

 

[jpeyton]

Hoya is a good budget option, just make sure you get one that is multi-coated. I'm assuming you're using this on the kit lens? I'd go with the cheapest multi-coated CPL.

I think Hoya rates their CPLs, from worst to best, as follows: Green series < Blue series < HMC < Super HMC < Pro 1 < HD

The HMC is probably the one I'd get, as the best value for the dollar.

Also, think about getting a larger size than 55mm, and using a step-down ring. If you ever get a bigger lens in the future, you can still fit the larger filter to it.

Here is a good place to buy them.

EDIT: Lens coatings are important because they allow for more light to be transmitted through the glass, reduce reflections and glare, produce better color/contrast, etc.

Remember that the light path goes through every layer of glass before reaching your camera's sensor. The elements in your lens are multi-coated; it doesn't make sense to have the weakest link in that light path be a cheap uncoated filter.

 

[TheDrake]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Hoya is a good budget option, just make sure you get one that is multi-coated. I'm assuming you're using this on the kit lens? I'd go with the cheapest multi-coated CPL.

I think Hoya rates their CPLs, from worst to best, as follows: Green series < Blue series < HMC < Super HMC < Pro 1 < HD

The HMC is probably the one I'd get, as the best value for the dollar.

Also, think about getting a larger size than 55mm, and using a step-down ring. If you ever get a bigger lens in the future, you can still fit the larger filter to it.

Here is a good place to buy them.

EDIT: Lens coatings are important because they allow for more light to be transmitted through the glass, reduce reflections and glare, produce better color/contrast, etc.

Remember that the light path goes through every layer of glass before reaching your camera's sensor. The elements in your lens are multi-coated; it doesn't make sense to have the weakest link in that light path be a cheap uncoated filter.

x2, I ordered my Hoya Pro1's from that place and their prices are hard to beat and great customer service in my experience.

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: QurazyQuispAre you sure you meant hxstar.net? it's all in chinese. ( I think)

He meant hvstar.net

They have excellent prices and legit products. I got my 77mm Pro1D CP from them last summer. It took about a week and half for it to get to me in CA. Actually, I got the Kenko Pro1D. Hoya = Kenko.

 

[996GT2]

Here's the question I'm having.

I need a Circular Polarizer, but it's only going to be occassionally used. Should I go for the single-coated Kenko 77mm for around $20 on eBay, or shell out $60 for a 77mm Kenko Pro1 multi-coated filter? I mean, as long as I'm not being an idiot and shooting directly into the sun or anything, does multicoating really produce that much of a noticeable effect?

 

[pdo]

I had Hoya Pro1 and they hard to clean as heck. I'm much happier with Marumi DHG Super now.

 

[AndrewR]

If you have budget lenses, it's silly (to me, anyway) to shell out big bucks for a top of the line filter. Personally, I use a Sunpak CPL with my KM 17-35 and 28-75, and I have been pleased with the results. I do want to get a better one, but for the amount I use it, I've not hurried out and replaced the Sunpak (going on two years now!).

One thing I will say is that the "use a larger filter" with a step-down ring has one flaw to it -- you can't use a hood. With a lens prone to flare (like my Tamron 11-17), it might not be a great idea. Just a thought. I do use a step down with my 58mm CPL (bought for another camera) down to 55mm for my 70-210mm (and others), but I do miss the hood, if nothing else for the protection if I walk around with it. The stepdown ring is a little annoying, but that strategy is certainly cheaper than buying multiple filters.

 

[996GT2]

Sorry for threadjacking a little, but...

Is this a good deal? $18 shipped for a 77mm single-coated Kenko (Hoya) Circular Polarizer. Like I said, I'm just an occasional CPL user so I'm not sure if I'd notice the quality difference that much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenko-77mm...3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

[takeru]

Originally posted by: pdo
I had Hoya Pro1 and they hard to clean as heck. I'm much happier with Marumi DHG Super now.

i have hoya pro1 digtal uv0 filters on all my lenses for protection, and a 77mm super hmc cpl with step down rings for my other sized lenses. same as you, the hoya's are a bitch to get totally "clean". my father knows that too, which is why he bought b+w filters instead. the price difference isn't that big anyway between the two.

 

[takeru]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Sorry for threadjacking a little, but...

Is this a good deal? $18 shipped for a 77mm single-coated Kenko (Hoya) Circular Polarizer. Like I said, I'm just an occasional CPL user so I'm not sure if I'd notice the quality difference that much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenko-77mm...3A15|39%3A1|240%3A1318

its like saying "a celeron good enough, i don't think i need the power of a quad core cpu". its up to you how much you want to spend on it and how hard core you care about quality, but you get what you pay for.

 

[GrJohnso]

Only you know how much of a difference it'll make for you. If I had to guess, I'd say go with the cheap one and you'll be fine. For most work, it'll probably be fine... For occasional use, the quality is not that important. The more you use it and expose it to day to day wear and tear, the more you want to spend...

As you spend more, the multi-coated filters do cut down on glare, tend to be more durable, often come in thinner sizes that reduce vignetting, higher quality glass that is less likely to shatter on impact, and lastly, often have coatings that are easier to clean. This last point is why I dropped the extra $ on the new Hoya HD filter over their Pro1 filters, as this new coating is a lot easier to work with, and I don't worry about impacts shattering the glass. I had a cheap tiffen filter shatter on me when my lens somehow got knocked around in transit. Took the lens out of the case only to find the filter shattered and the front element of my lens pitted from the glass of the broken filter..

Anyway, if it doesn't work out, you haven't dropped that much on it... You can always upgrade later...

 

[ghostman]

I got a $20 generic CPL on ebay (the seller was foto-something... i don't remember). That was a mistake. The CPL works - it reduces reflection when I rotate it, but it adds a red or green tint depending on the rotated position. It's fixable in photoshop, but it's annoying.

 

[finbarqs]

I purchased a thin glass 77mm nikon CPL for 130. Bloody fantastic with no distortion and minimal vignette!