differences between cheap and expensive filters?
Discussion
while looking through ebay i have come across shops selling filters for roughly £5 including P+P, but when you look at filters in real life shops they all seem to be somewhat more expensive. i am just wondering, what would be the major disadvantages of a cheap filter? (particularly interested in circular polarisers if that makes a difference)
cheers
cheers
Suppose it's the same as the difference between a cheap and expensive lens, the quality of the glass and construction is quite different.
Bit like buying a pair of super expensive thin, light, coated spectacles, then putting some £2.99 clipon sunglasses over the top!
That being said my circular polariser was an el-cheapo, because I don't use it a lot, and because at 77mm filters are pretty pricey.
Bit like buying a pair of super expensive thin, light, coated spectacles, then putting some £2.99 clipon sunglasses over the top!
That being said my circular polariser was an el-cheapo, because I don't use it a lot, and because at 77mm filters are pretty pricey.
speedychrissie said:
while looking through ebay i have come across shops selling filters for roughly £5 including P+P, but when you look at filters in real life shops they all seem to be somewhat more expensive. i am just wondering, what would be the major disadvantages of a cheap filter? (particularly interested in circular polarisers if that makes a difference)
cheers
cheers
I have a linear polariser which I had for years for the 35mm kit. Its a Hoya HMC and has always produced good result and felt 'right' in use. The moving ring moves with a good feel.
A few months ago whilst buying some other kit I decided to go for a circular filter for digital use. Not so cheap. Retailer own brand which I believe is manufactured by one of the recognised names.
Obviously it is difficult to compare image results since the technologies are so different but one thing I did notice is that the mechanical aspect just does not feel as good as the Hoya. Very loose by comparison.
A shame, given that I could probably have bought the Hoya HMC version on line for the same money. I reckon the money is well spent if you go for upper market product. One thing should get much less flare problem from a quality filter at acute sun direction angles - which is important given the reason one buy's a polarising filtr in the forst place!
It's all about the quality. The cheaper ones will be made of lower grade glass or plastic and will hurt the optics. Any lens is only as good as the filter infront of it. Low quality filters will reduce the quality of the light passing through it which means that the light is worse when it hits the sensor or film.
Think of filters like lenses, if you are going to spend money in photography spend it on the glass. You can have the best camera in the world but if the glass is rubbish then so is the quality of the light.
Hoya HMC filters are very good but B&W filters are better. They use Schott glass (used in Leica lenses) and all brass mounts. They are expensive though :-(
Think of filters like lenses, if you are going to spend money in photography spend it on the glass. You can have the best camera in the world but if the glass is rubbish then so is the quality of the light.
Hoya HMC filters are very good but B&W filters are better. They use Schott glass (used in Leica lenses) and all brass mounts. They are expensive though :-(
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