Polarizer Filter Choice

zutty

Senior Member
I am going to buy a polarizer filter and need some advice. First, which size would be appropriate based on my listed lenses. And if I get a smaller say, 58mm filter can I use a step up ring to use it with my 77mm lenses? Also, is it a good investment to buy a Nikon 77mm filter for $150 or are less expensive..Hoya..etc. just as good?
I shoot mostly landscape photos and use my 24-70 2.8 a lot with it's 77mm filter size as well as my 70-200 2.8 with the same size. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I use a CPL most all of the time and I've owned several. My favorites are the Hoya HD CPL's. The glass used in the HD line is harder than most and the HD's transmit more light: You only lose about a stop-and-a-quarter with the HD's whereas with most other CPL's you'll lose two-full stops, or thereabouts. The HD's also clean up really, really easily and they're reasonably priced.

If you want to use a step-up rings you would buy the largest size filter that will fit one of your lenses, say 77mm. The rings then let you use the larger filter on smaller lens (for instance a 77mm filter on a 67mm lens); not the other way around.

....
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
If you are able to buy locally, I would suggest going in store and doing some test shots with various filters and then go home to pixel peep them. Some filters can be really bad. Below is an example of a freebie filter that was thrown in for free with a lens purchase.

DSC_2737_Web.jpg
 

zutty

Senior Member
If you are able to buy locally, I would suggest going in store and doing some test shots with various filters and then go home to pixel peep them. Some filters can be really bad. Below is an example of a freebie filter that was thrown in for free with a lens purchase.

View attachment 143400
Yikes! That's awful! But my local store is not very user friendly and VERY expensive. Have you tried the one that Paul recommended above?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I have not, and I trust his advice. But that quick little test shot showed me how bad it can be. So whenever I can try out locally then I do. But I wouldn't hesitate to trust Paul's advice.
 

zutty

Senior Member
Paul-I'm trying to find that exact 77mm Hoya filter at Adorama. I don't want to order the wrong model. Can you show me that link? Thanks again!
 

Vixen

Senior Member
I can support Hoya as a reasonable brand both quality and price wise. All my CPL's are Hoya (Pro1 not HD). I tend to use mine all the time so have one for my walkaround lens and another for my wide angle lens (not macro & telephoto lenses tho). It pays to shop around. I ended up getting mine via eBay from England at half the price the shops sell for here.

As for cleaning.....I have found plain tap water by far the BEST way to clean them, especially to get salt spray off.
 

J-see

Senior Member
What I did was buy a decent CPL for my 77mm and I got step-down rings for my other lenses. The step-down rings are a lot cheaper and since I won't use them as often on those lenses, a better solution than having 4-5 different CPLs.

The filter will be wider than the lens on the smaller ones but since you won't use hoods in combination, it doesn't matter much.

For me B+W only but others are probably equally good.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I have not, and I trust his advice. But that quick little test shot showed me how bad it can be. So whenever I can try out locally then I do. But I wouldn't hesitate to trust Paul's advice.
Dude... That shot is CRAZY! I can honestly say I have never seen anything like that before. Was that filter branded or was it one of those nameless "mystery filters"?

I'm wondering if someone didn't toss in a Linear Polarizer by mistake or... or...

*scratches head*

I don't even know what. That is truly bizarre.
.....
 

zutty

Senior Member
Thanks All! I wound up ordering the filter Paul recommended in this thread at the Amazon link he provided. I got the 77mm and will use step down rings for use with smaller sizes. All of your valuable advice is much appreciated!
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
That is the one thing I wished I had known or had been given that advice a long time ago is to buy the largest and filter and step down. Saves you a lot of money in the long run.
 
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zutty

Senior Member
That is the one thing I wished I had known or had been given that advice is to buy the largest and filter and step down. Saves you a lot of money in the long run.
I totally agree! Although I do have a 95mm on my Tamzooka, I think it's out of line to spend on a size that large.
 

zutty

Senior Member
I just used my new Hoya HD CPL filter that Paul recommended on this thread. I did see a nice difference on my 24-70 2.8 on a nice clear day, but I was a little surprised that I didn't see much variation when I rotated the filter. Is this normal? I'll post some results soon.
 

J-see

Senior Member
I just used my new Hoya HD CPL filter that Paul recommended on this thread. I did see a nice difference on my 24-70 2.8 on a nice clear day, but I was a little surprised that I didn't see much variation when I rotated the filter. Is this normal? I'll post some results soon.

Rotating the filter can affect the result but so does your shooting angle relative to the position of the sun. At some angles it does less than at others. What was it again to get the most effect; within 90°?
 

zutty

Senior Member
As I am new to using a polarizer filter, I just went out and shot randomly, trying to get all angles from the sun and I haven't yet looked at the results. But just by briefly looking at the LCD in the camera, I'm sure it did it's job. As I gain some experience, I'm sure I will be able to put it to better use.
 
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