Circular polarizing filter - price range: I bought a good polarizing filter back in the '60s and used it extensively for years, until it and the camera were stolen. I've bought and...

bersharbp Loc: Texas

I bought a good polarizing filter back in the '60s and used it extensively for years, until it and the camera were stolen. I've bought and sold several camera since but have not replaced the filter. I began looking to get a new circular polarizing filter, but find prices ranging from $6.50 to $150. Why the wide range of prices? Which is the "Best Buy"

hondo812 Loc: Massachusetts

I am interested in picking up one too. I am assuming these are primarily for shooting landscapes and other inanimate objects since it ends up being a third thing to fidget with. The other two being zoom and focus.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

After some research, I recently bought a Marumi CPF from B&H. I think the 62mm size was around $50. Came very highly recommended and has performed nicely. Can't say I like the 2 f stop loss but that's the price you pay.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

bersharbp wrote:

I bought a good polarizing filter back in the '60s and used it extensively for years, until it and the camera were stolen. I've bought and sold several camera since but have not replaced the filter. I began looking to get a new circular polarizing filter, but find prices ranging from $6.50 to $150. Why the wide range of prices? Which is the "Best Buy"

Price does not always equate to quality, here is a test of most of the CPLs available at that time:
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

MT Shooter wrote:

Price does not always equate to quality, here is a test of most of the CPLs available at that time:
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

It seems that a few of the tested filters a simply the same filter sold as different brands and with different price tags. Interesting to know.

davemar Loc: SW France

I purchased a genuine Nikon 77ml filter from Hong Kong
it was a circular polarizing filter cost £77 English pounds.
It is a very narrow filter so you do not get any vignetting on your wide angle lenses and plus of course you get Nikon quality.
The price might have risen in the mean time i purchased over a year ago.Dave

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I use Hoya filters, including their CP's. Can't say how they compare to other brands except that they do seem to have a reputation for good quality. I've been very pleased with the results. One thing to check for is light transmission. My first one was one of Hoya's lower priced ones. My next one was their top of the line one. Hold them side by side and you could see a noticable difference. The premium one was definitely brighter. Filters can make a big difference in the quality of your photos. My advice is that if you feel you need a filter then buy the best you can afford. Overall construction is important. So is glass quality and light transmission. Is the filtering done by the glass itself or by a sandwich layer? Cheaper filters often are sandwiched. They can distort over time. Visit sites like B&H and read the customer reviews.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

LFingar wrote:

I use Hoya filters, including their CP's. Can't sa... (show quote)

I agree. For guys like me who can't afford to build a small collection of different filters to compare, I have to go by the experience of others and test results/examples.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here - http://www.traumflieger.de/desktop/polfilter/polfilter.php - is a good review, discussion and test of some polarizers - It is in German, but get Google to tranlate....

rs2543 Loc: Ohio

Kind of like a chain. Only as good as the weakest link.

RJNaylor Loc: Delmar, New York

The 2 stop loss is pretty standard but this is not necessarily a bad thing -- it means you also are carrying a two stop filter for those really bright days when it might help. But the other feature mentioned, the distortion with sandwich layers, is my main concern. I've also been very happy with B+H filters.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Funny, in all my years of shooting I never thought of a CP filter as an ND filter. Chalk up another trick the old dog learned!

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

bersharbp wrote:

I bought a good polarizing filter back in the '60s and used it extensively for years, until it and the camera were stolen. I've bought and sold several camera since but have not replaced the filter. I began looking to get a new circular polarizing filter, but find prices ranging from $6.50 to $150. Why the wide range of prices? Which is the "Best Buy"

HOYA hands down, top quality, decent price.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bersharbp wrote:

I bought a good polarizing filter back in the '60s and used it extensively for years, until it and the camera were stolen. I've bought and sold several camera since but have not replaced the filter. I began looking to get a new circular polarizing filter, but find prices ranging from $6.50 to $150. Why the wide range of prices? Which is the "Best Buy"

Here's a comparison.

http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I use Hoya's and Marumi's. Love them. Also, you will sometimes find the Hoya's mrketed under the Quantaray name. Yes, Quantaray...