B+W Slim CPL + DA Limiteds (15 & 35) - Something's wrong

gfonso · 11-07-2009, 05:35 PM

So today I've bought the DA 15 Ltd and the DA 35 Macro Ltd; I still haven't had a chance to play around with them (tomorrow I will) but I'm quite excited to give them a try.

Anyway, I've come across a small problem and I'd like to hear your advice. Along with the lenses I've bought a B+W Slim Circular Polarizer and I've noticed that I can't extend the lens hood on either of these lenses when the polarizer is on them. With the DA 15 I've even had a scare when it seemed like the filter was stuck in the lens and I couldn't unscrew it (I finally managed, but i would hesitate to screw it again).

So the question is, what is your experience with these lenses and polarizers? Have I got the wrong one? I got a slim to avoid vignetting, the guy in the shop confirmed it was a better choice...

Reading the manual inside the box, it says something about Type A and Type B (I should get a Type B) but the one I have doesn't resemble any of the ones pictured in the manual.

I'm not sure what to do, and I'd appreciate your advice...

*k100d* · 11-07-2009, 06:27 PM

it's because you got the slim polarizer which doesn't have the front filter threads
b+w will have new polarizers soon with a front filter thread

i think some of the other brands Hoya and Marumi have thin polarizers with a front filter thread

regor · 11-07-2009, 06:30 PM

Indeed, the B+W don't work on the DA15, and I ended up buying a Kenko Pro1 Digital Wideband C-PL(W) instead, which works fine (Same as the Hoya of the same name). While I had hoped to get B+W, the Kenko seem to perform rather well actually and I see nothing wrong with it.

joele · 11-07-2009, 06:54 PM

The Marumi DHG Super fit fine and the hood will extend and retract... Obviously on the DA15 you have to retract the hood in order to adjust the CPL...

scorpioh · 11-08-2009, 10:37 AM

The rim of the b+w slim filters are wider than usual so they'll prevent u from using built-in hoods. I used b+w metal round hoods on top of the slim filters and did away with the lens caps altogether.

gfonso · 11-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Thanks for all the replies, tomorrow I'll try to return the B+W and get one that works with these lenses, I hope I can find one of the few you've mentioned...

BTW, I've taken these babies for a stroll today and I'm blown away!

gfonso · 11-09-2009, 02:59 PM

I've returned the B+W filter today and got a full refund. They were out of Hoyas and hadn't heard of Marumi, but thankfully the next shop had the Kenko Pro1 Wideband CPL which I tried and seemed to work fine, as regor said

Since it was a bit cheaper than the B+W I also got myself a small Cokin Gradual Neutral Gray G1 (wanted darker but they didn't have any left...)

Anyway thanks for all the good advice!!

regor · 11-09-2009, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by gfonso

I've returned the B+W filter today and got a full refund. They were out of Hoyas and hadn't heard of Marumi, but thankfully the next shop had the Kenko Pro1 Wideband CPL which I tried and seemed to work fine, as regor said

Since it was a bit cheaper than the B+W I also got myself a small Cokin Gradual Neutral Gray G1 (wanted darker but they didn't have any left...)

Anyway thanks for all the good advice!!

Hopefully you'll like it. I have good result with it and I think it's quite effective. If you have difficulty un-screwing it, use a cloth or elastic band to get a better grip as the rim is very slim and difficult to grab tight.