Originally posted by Anklee So what is the best polarizer filter for my gear? Maybe Marumi DHG Super Circular?
There are threads here about this, grading the different brands, but this is where I'm coming from:
If you look at my signature, you'll see my many lenses, most with different filter sizes, although 49mm is the most common amongst them.
So...
I can buy a $100 (and more) CP filter at 49mm to handle those lenses, but what about my others? I can buy a 52mm and use it on my 49mm lenses and others with step-down ring, but now you need to use a step-up ring to use your lens hood. (And properly sized lens hoods are VERY important. They dramatically increase contrast and kill flare.) So unless you can afford the properly sized CP for all of your lenses at $100 and more a pop, what's the answer?
I use the Cokin system, with filter rings for all of my lenses and just one CP. And while the Cokin CP might get a bad rap from some folks, my Cokin allows me to use my CP and lens hoods for every lens I now own and any that I'll buy in the future.
It's a compromise, but one that I can afford. And a real life situation:
I'm out shooting with my 50 Tak, and I now want to switch to my 90. All I have to do is swap out the ring on the Cokin assembly, pop off a hood modules (on the Cokin, you configure the hood for your focal length as you need it), and screw that into my 90.
If I could afford high-end for CPs in every filter diameter I need, I might do it, but that ain't the case now. And using step-down rings, plus step-up rings to accommodate the hoods, I just find the Cokin to be an easier and more practical solution.
A CP helps you reduce water glare, darken skies, and get more saturated colors. And even though the camera can help with color saturation, it's always better to do this naturally and not in post processing.
Two examples below of the Cokin CP with my Super Tak 50.