damdannyboy Loc: Rhode Island

I have a inexpensive Bower CPL right at the moment and it does the job, but it's subject to lens flairs! I've been looking at the B&H web site and the list long, three pages and prices are $5.99 to $300 plus. what's the real deal, I'm looking for some advice and recommendations.

Thanks
damdannyboy

A/C 13

(Download)

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

A CPL is worth spending money on. Hoya, B+W, Tiffen, etc are recognized decent brands. Expect to pay $50-$100 for a good quality piece of optical glass with precision components.

Expect to pay $10 for a round piece of glass with built-in imperfections.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I assume you are referring to a circular polarizing filter. They can produce excellent results if used properly, but not all of your shots will benefit. Such as the one you attached. You get the most benefit when your lens is 90 degrees to the sun. The least when pointing at the sun. So, at noon you can get full effect shooting in any direction, but in early morning or late afternoon you pretty much need to be shooting to the east or west. The 2 photos I attached were shot moments apart. The 1st with a filter, the 2nd without. The color rendition of the 1st is far more accurate then the 2nd. I use Hoya HD2 series CP filters. Their optical qualities are outstanding and their light transmission is among the best, something that can be an issue with cheaper ones. They are expensive and I certainly won't try to tell that there aren't cheaper ones that won't do the job as well. I merely prefer Hoya for all my filters. I hope I understood your question and gave you some useful info.

With CP filter


Without CP filter

PAphotoman Loc: Milford, PA

I don't believe the lens flare seen in this photo is so much a result of your filter as it is with the fact that you are shooting directly at the light source. You would have gotten lens flare even without a filter because shooting in this manner greatly increases the likelihood of the light source reflecting off all the elements of your lens. CPL filters have the strongest effect when shooting 90 degrees from the light source. Of course, adding any glass to the front of your lens increases the chance of getting lens flare. The use of a lens hood will help in keeping the light source from directly striking your lens/filter thereby eliminating lens flare. Before dropping money for a more expensive filter I would use this filter in various situations to see how it performs overall. If you still get lens flare or notice a degrading in your images then I would consider purchasing a higher quality (and more expensive) filter. Any of the major filter manufacturers should be able to provide you with the quality you need without breaking the bank.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

You're shooting directly into the Sun. You are going to get lens flares. That and be blinded to horizons by the intensity of the Sun.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

There is no filter of ANY kind that will eliminate lens flare when you shoot into a bright light like that, none are made to even try it. (except maybe a lens cap) ;-)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I tried that years ago. Shot a half roll of Ektachrome with the lens cap on. No lens flare of any kind!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That is a really hard shot to get with out flair. No filter will help. But if you are still going to get a new one. Always buy for your biggest lens. And then get step down rings for all your other lenses. Saves you a lot of money.:):)
Erv

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

A couple of folks have made useful comments here, and it is true that the flare you show in this shot is unavoidable due to the angle of the sun to your lens. In fact, the flare you see is not from the filter but from the lens itself - each of those little bright spots is due to a glass/air surface from the groups of lens elements inside the lens itself. In other words, for this shot even without the filter you would have gotten almost all of those flare spots.

But now, to answer your actual question, namely, what's the deal with the broad range in CPL prices:

Like anything else, CPLs can be made of differing qualities. The flatness of the glass, the performance of the polarizing layer, the material used for the filter ring (brass or plastic) and the amount and type of lens coatings on the filter as well as the possible prestige of the brand all play roles in the price charged. Some manufacturers, like Hoya, offer various "flavors" of their filters, low priced budget models up to high end more expensive - for instance, in the the 77MM diameter size Hoya has CPLs from $60 to $200, 9 in all (at B&H prices). The pricier ones have better coatings (which will eliminate more glare, though not in the situation you actually posted) and better construction. You'll also note there are "super thin" versions; these are designed to be used on super-wide angle lenses where the thickness of the CPL filter will cause some vignetting (cutting light off at the corners). These "thin" versions of CPLs generally don't have front threads (so no snap-on lens cap) to minimize the depth of the filter mount (remember CPL filter rings are two-part, to allow for the filter part to be rotated while not becoming unscrewed from the lens).

After that, some manufacturers add a warming filter within the CPL to eliminate any need to use another filter behind the CPL (and make for more layers of air/glass interface which is where glare happens). And of course, there's branding - one filter might be completely identical to another one but the fancier brand on the label demands a higher price.

Singh-Ray, B+W, and Heliopan are often considered the highest-end brands; Hoya and Tiffen make versions that are anywhere from lower proved to mid-range or better. More multi-coatings are better at flare issues (again, not for your example above however), metal rings are better than plastic in that they are more robust and won't cross-thread as easily, and better glass and flatness are, well, just better. Noticeably better becomes subjective; some folks think their kit lenses are terrific while others are staunchly in the "prime lenses only for me!" camp - YMMV. As to whether it's worth the price difference, that's another subject about which we will no doubt see opinions galore.

damdannyboy Loc: Rhode Island

Thanks for your responses, I apologize for not responding sooner but I've really tied up at work since I'm lucky enough to be on call this week. f8lee was very helpful, as I can see I'll just keep my bower for now until I can sort out the sea of choices. Still dazed and less confused!

Thanks Again
damdannyboy :shock: