Which Circular Polarised Filter?

[beanbag]

Morning all,

I'm hunting around for a circular polarised filter for my 17-40mm f/4L lens, although I'm not sure which one I should get since there are a few about.

When I bought the lens, I took a deal with B&H where I bought it from for a Canon UV Haze filter for just $20 extra which seemed perfect to me.

However since I take a lot of outdoor stuff, I'd like to also get a polarised filter too.

Which should I get and why (justifying any significant prices), and technologies behind the filter itself....

Thanks!

[4hero]

Hello,

Not sure about others, but I opted for the Cokin polarizer for my 17-40. It's decent for the price, and the good thing is with it is that you can get adapter rings for using on other lenses

[MartinP]

I went with Cokin too for the same reasons

[cirks]

whether you go for Cokin or Lee, the fact that you can use across multiple lenses is the key. If you go for a specific sized one, it can start to get very costly buying a polarising filter per lens.

[beanbag]

The cokin ones look pretty chunky....not so sure I'd like that.

Keep in mind I have 3 primary lenses. All have UV haze filters on them for protection and to saturate my photos a little.

My primary lens is the 17-40mm with a 77mm fitting. I also plan to buy a 70-200mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 which also both have the same fitting so interchanging in terms of size is not my main concern.

I'd just like something that is good quality, with the lowest loss of light (which I know is a major factor for polarising lenses), and that will render the best possible picture for me.

Hoya seem to have an entire range, plus there is Hama, B&W and of course Nikon and Canon.

[4hero]

The cokin one is a tad "chunky". You cannot use the lens hoods, which is a bit annoying. I'm pretty tempted to go for a 77mm also for the 17-40, 70-200f2.8 and 100-400 (handy them all being the same size )

Looking forward to hearing what is best out there!

[EmmaP]

I've got a B&W one. Luckily for me it fits both my Canon lenses. I figured that at a cost of £125ish it had to be good.

Edited by EmmaP on Thursday 11th September 17:17

[beanbag]

EmmaP said:

I've got a B&W one. Luckily for me it fits both my Canon lenses. I figured that at a cost of £125ish it had to be good.

Edited by EmmaP on Thursday 11th September 17:17

Yup, I've noticed the B&W ones seem to be more expensive. Is this down to the thinness of the filter?

[EmmaP]

I'd like to think that the cost is a reflection of the quality of the filter. It is lightweight for sure but I do believe it is good quality glass.

[Bigdrift]

B+W filters are expensive as they are (were) made of brass and high quality glass ( brass is used to stop the filter binding on the lens) and also due to the thickness of the actual filter


HTH