Polarizer filter question

Mr Hyde · 08-19-2007, 11:48 AM

Is there much of a diference between grades of circular polorizer filters? Hoya has filters that range from about $30 for the basic to over $100 for the Pro 1 Digital series. Are the Pro1 filters worth the extra expense?

Mr Hyde · 08-19-2007, 06:01 PM

I know one of you photo experts out there can help me with this. What do you think?

PaulAndAPentax · 08-19-2007, 06:21 PM

My belief is that you get what you pay for in filters, especially polarizers. Hoya makes a good one. I purchased a cheap one one time and no matter where I turned it, the photos were blurry...a mid level hoya is a pretty good filter.

RussellW · 08-19-2007, 06:49 PM

I understand that the more expensive ones are made in Japan and the cheap ones made in the Phillipines. if I also remember they are also colour coded with the purple ones made in Japan and Green (?) made in the Phillipines

stewart_photo · 08-19-2007, 06:52 PM

Since others have answered your question somewhat, let me add (since it answers the question about dramatically different costs between filters) that the most expensive polarizing filters (those costing hundreds) are usually not really designed for use outside with the sun. Instead, they're often designed for in-house cinematography (movie making) and studio photography, working in conjunction with polarizing filter gels/glass placed over studio strobes or stage floods. The polarizing effect without the corresponding light filter would be minimal, less than ideal for typical outdoor photo use.

Of course, medium format and large format camera filters are a common exception since they often cost hundreds as well. However, these filters ususally specify whether they're outdoor or designed for use with studio/stage lighting (or you'll have to be good enough to read between the lines to determine that).

stewart

Mr Hyde · 08-19-2007, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. Originally when I went to B&H I saw that they had 4 Hoya circular polarizer filters for the 52mm thread size. There was quite a range in price. I didnt want to get junk but I also did not want to spend more than I had to. I know Hoya makes good products. The HMC and S-HMC models were double the price of the standard filter. I guess the coatings really bring up the cost. The Pro 1 Digital is three times the cost of the standard model. I just wasn't sure that paying triple for the Pro 1 Digital line was really worth the added cost over the standard model.

simonkit · 08-20-2007, 09:56 AM

One thing to note with the "digital" series of filters is that they have the smaller profile so shouldn't show vignetting - if that bothers you

I have the 72mm Hoya Pro 1 D for my Sigma 17-70 & see no vignetting even at 17mm

simon

Tom M · 08-20-2007, 10:13 AM

I had an Opteka CPL and every image was blurry. I switched to the Hoya Pro and every image is nice and sharp.

blende8 · 08-21-2007, 12:43 AM

My experience is that the larger the lens diameter the more important is the filter quality (flare, ghosts).
For my 77 mm lenses I have a 100 Euro B&H Kaesemann Polfilter.

**NaClH2O** · 08-21-2007, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by Mr Hyde

Is there much of a diference between grades of circular polorizer filters? Hoya has filters that range from about $30 for the basic to over $100 for the Pro 1 Digital series. Are the Pro1 filters worth the extra expense?

It has been my experience that the more expensive ones are much thinner in profile (to reduce vingetting) and have better coatings (to reduce flare) I've found that the mid to mid/high priced filters give a decent price/performance ratio.

NaCl(not to mention I can't afford the highest priced ones)H2O

Cideway · 08-21-2007, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by simonkit

One thing to note with the "digital" series of filters is that they have the smaller profile so shouldn't show vignetting - if that bothers you

I have the 72mm Hoya Pro 1 D for my Sigma 17-70 & see no vignetting even at 17mm

simon

If the lens is designed properly to begin with though you will have no problems with vignetting, i have used a standard Polariser on the Sigma 10-20 and there is no vignetting at 10mm.

shutterdrone · 08-21-2007, 09:28 AM

One of the big things to remember about filters are that they are another piece of glass between your scene and your sensor. Consider it like an extension to your lens. If you put the cheap stuff up there, your IQ is going to suffer as a result. That being said, you can easily get into the realm of diminishing returns for your dollars, but don't skimp out and get the cheap stuff.

Hoya and B&H both provide good choices.

!c

Tom M · 08-22-2007, 10:19 AM

Here's a perfect example of the differences in quality from CPL filters..

This first photo was shot using a Hoya Pro CPL

This second photo was shot using a Opteka CPL (I swear it's a rebrand from Hoya as everything is identical about them including the packaging/carrier)

As you can see, the Opteka, no matter how hard you try will NOT focus. It'll get close but, that's all it will do!

MJB DIGITAL · 08-22-2007, 01:55 PM

i have a circular polarizer that, i swear, has a green cast. it was cheap at 20 bucks or so. promaster i think.

Mr Hyde · 08-22-2007, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Tom M

Here's a perfect example of the differences in quality from CPL filters..

This first photo was shot using a Hoya Pro CPL

As you can see, the Opteka, no matter how hard you try will NOT focus. It'll get close but, that's all it will do!

Tom. Thanks for the photos. I think the visual was very convincing.

08-19-2007, 11:48 AM	#1
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760	Polarizer filter question Is there much of a diference between grades of circular polorizer filters? Hoya has filters that range from about $30 for the basic to over $100 for the Pro 1 Digital series. Are the Pro1 filters worth the extra expense?

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08-19-2007, 06:01 PM	#2
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760 Original Poster	I know one of you photo experts out there can help me with this. What do you think?

08-19-2007, 06:21 PM	#3
PaulAndAPentax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 390	My belief is that you get what you pay for in filters, especially polarizers. Hoya makes a good one. I purchased a cheap one one time and no matter where I turned it, the photos were blurry...a mid level hoya is a pretty good filter.

08-19-2007, 06:49 PM	#4
RussellW Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	I understand that the more expensive ones are made in Japan and the cheap ones made in the Phillipines. if I also remember they are also colour coded with the purple ones made in Japan and Green (?) made in the Phillipines

08-19-2007, 06:52 PM	#5
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Since others have answered your question somewhat, let me add (since it answers the question about dramatically different costs between filters) that the most expensive polarizing filters (those costing hundreds) are usually not really designed for use outside with the sun. Instead, they're often designed for in-house cinematography (movie making) and studio photography, working in conjunction with polarizing filter gels/glass placed over studio strobes or stage floods. The polarizing effect without the corresponding light filter would be minimal, less than ideal for typical outdoor photo use. Of course, medium format and large format camera filters are a common exception since they often cost hundreds as well. However, these filters ususally specify whether they're outdoor or designed for use with studio/stage lighting (or you'll have to be good enough to read between the lines to determine that). stewart

08-19-2007, 07:16 PM	#6
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. Originally when I went to B&H I saw that they had 4 Hoya circular polarizer filters for the 52mm thread size. There was quite a range in price. I didnt want to get junk but I also did not want to spend more than I had to. I know Hoya makes good products. The HMC and S-HMC models were double the price of the standard filter. I guess the coatings really bring up the cost. The Pro 1 Digital is three times the cost of the standard model. I just wasn't sure that paying triple for the Pro 1 Digital line was really worth the added cost over the standard model.

08-20-2007, 09:56 AM	#7
simonkit Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Wales, UK Posts: 645	One thing to note with the "digital" series of filters is that they have the smaller profile so shouldn't show vignetting - if that bothers you I have the 72mm Hoya Pro 1 D for my Sigma 17-70 & see no vignetting even at 17mm simon

08-20-2007, 10:13 AM	#8
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	I had an Opteka CPL and every image was blurry. I switched to the Hoya Pro and every image is nice and sharp.

08-21-2007, 12:43 AM	#9
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	My experience is that the larger the lens diameter the more important is the filter quality (flare, ghosts). For my 77 mm lenses I have a 100 Euro B&H Kaesemann Polfilter.

08-21-2007, 06:37 AM	#10
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by Mr Hyde Is there much of a diference between grades of circular polorizer filters? Hoya has filters that range from about $30 for the basic to over $100 for the Pro 1 Digital series. Are the Pro1 filters worth the extra expense? It has been my experience that the more expensive ones are much thinner in profile (to reduce vingetting) and have better coatings (to reduce flare) I've found that the mid to mid/high priced filters give a decent price/performance ratio. NaCl(not to mention I can't afford the highest priced ones)H2O

08-21-2007, 07:23 AM	#11
Cideway Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 364	Originally posted by simonkit One thing to note with the "digital" series of filters is that they have the smaller profile so shouldn't show vignetting - if that bothers you I have the 72mm Hoya Pro 1 D for my Sigma 17-70 & see no vignetting even at 17mm simon If the lens is designed properly to begin with though you will have no problems with vignetting, i have used a standard Polariser on the Sigma 10-20 and there is no vignetting at 10mm.

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08-21-2007, 09:28 AM	#12
shutterdrone Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 75	One of the big things to remember about filters are that they are another piece of glass between your scene and your sensor. Consider it like an extension to your lens. If you put the cheap stuff up there, your IQ is going to suffer as a result. That being said, you can easily get into the realm of diminishing returns for your dollars, but don't skimp out and get the cheap stuff. Hoya and B&H both provide good choices. !c

08-22-2007, 10:19 AM	#13
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	Here's a perfect example of the differences in quality from CPL filters.. This first photo was shot using a Hoya Pro CPL This second photo was shot using a Opteka CPL (I swear it's a rebrand from Hoya as everything is identical about them including the packaging/carrier) As you can see, the Opteka, no matter how hard you try will NOT focus. It'll get close but, that's all it will do!

08-22-2007, 01:55 PM	#14
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	i have a circular polarizer that, i swear, has a green cast. it was cheap at 20 bucks or so. promaster i think.

08-22-2007, 02:52 PM	#15
Mr Hyde Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 760 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tom M Here's a perfect example of the differences in quality from CPL filters.. This first photo was shot using a Hoya Pro CPL As you can see, the Opteka, no matter how hard you try will NOT focus. It'll get close but, that's all it will do! Tom. Thanks for the photos. I think the visual was very convincing.