Choosing a Circular Polarizer (Page 2): You can pay for more than the Hoya, but I doubt you would get anything better.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

DRG777 wrote:

I need to get a new circular polarizer. The candidates are Breakthrough Photography X4 CPL that they claim is the best available @ $149. The next contender would be B+W XS-Pro HTC at $95.50, or Hoya Pro1 at $61. Which one is the right choice? I am willing to pay more for a better resulting image.

You can pay for more than the Hoya, but I doubt you would get anything better.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

All polarizer filters do the same thing, that is to polarize light at an angle to the sun. The three filters you mention will do the job and Hoya at the price is a good solution.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I've always been partial to B&W but also have to say I know nothing about the Breakthrough Technology brand. Buy one, test it, and let us know! Best of luck.

Jim Bob

DRG777 wrote:

I need to get a new circular polarizer. The candidates are Breakthrough Photography X4 CPL that they claim is the best available @ $149. The next contender would be B+W XS-Pro HTC at $95.50, or Hoya Pro1 at $61. Which one is the right choice? I am willing to pay more for a better resulting image.

I have two Breakthrough neutral density filters in my first experience with this company. They appear to be of excellent quality-love the knurled ring which makes attachment and removal much easier. Although not directly relevant to your inquiry, they carry a 25 year warranty. Quite frankly, I don't think you would be disappointed with a filter from any of the companies you list.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

janelux wrote:

Check out Marumi. Excellent product at a reasonable price.

I concur.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Haydon wrote:

I can't use a CPL on my 16-35 between 16-24mm without a risk of uneven coloration in the sky. I will use the CPL on the 24-70. I have committed using a Lee GND with the 16-35mm instead and found it useful. FTR- My CPL is a 82mm B+W Nano and is extremely thin which in theory greatly reduces uneven coloration. The exception with the 16-35 with a CPL would be waterfalls. I don't have an issue in that circumstances as long as I remove the sky while framing the shot.

Yes, when you use a polarizer on a lens wider than 28mm's, you will often run into uneven sky coloring. However, in many cases, this is not always a negative effect.

(Download)

Haydon

Kiron Kid wrote:

Yes, when you use a polarizer on a lens wider than 28mm's, you will often run into uneven sky coloring. However, in many cases, this is not always a negative effect.

We all see artistically different. To me those shots of the sky looks a little unnatural. I will say your first shot is well composed. Wonderful foreground element using the skull.

This was shot at 16mm on a 5DIII FF with a Lee 3 Stop soft GND. To me the sky offers a much more balanced taste which my eye is use to seeing naturally. I'm not against impressionistic or PP within reason.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/haydonlhall/17397454015/in/dateposted-public/

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I have also come across a few high end Hoya's, rebranded under the Quantaray name. Yes, Quantaray. A company I tend to usually stay away from.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

DRG777 wrote:

I need to get a new circular polarizer. The candidates are Breakthrough Photography X4 CPL that they claim is the best available @ $149. The next contender would be B+W XS-Pro HTC at $95.50, or Hoya Pro1 at $61. Which one is the right choice? I am willing to pay more for a better resulting image.

The Hoya Pro1 is every bit as good as the higher priced options. The higher price includes a large marketing and fudge factor.

Tinkerbell Loc: Bethalto IL

I bought my B&W before heard of Breakthrough filters, I try to buy the best, or I did, before retirement :) Who makes the Breakthrough and how long have they been available?

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I have found no image difference with the numerous high quality brands ( Hoya, Marumi, etc) But I do stay away from the uncoated Tiffens and Hoyas

lightyear

There was an extensive evaluation of circular polarizers( Robert Galbraith??)on the internet. The worst was tiffen, the best
B+W and Marumi, with Hoya very close. Each manufacturer makes several different circular polarizer models( different coatings, different thicknesses) which affect performance and price. I personally use B+W Kasemann and Hoya HMC Cpolarizers on different diameter lenses, and cannot tell the visual difference in performance. the brand you mentioned was not listed, but once you reach the 95% transmission range, the slight difference in performance is not meaningful.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

The first comment made by rgrenader is the correct answer and Zeiss also makes excellent circular polarizers. Both polarizing filter companies manufacture expensive circular polarizers but are optically clear (no aberration or flare) but any/all polarizing filters must be clean...seems obvious but it's often ignored until AFTER a few images have been taken. When dust has accumulated on the filter only light transmission is generally affected but when salt spray dries on a filter not only is there a light transmission problem but there is also a light refraction problem due to the translucent film of salt. Seems obvious, eh?
Best regards, Ricker

Photocraig

I was very surprised to find a wide selection of great quality used filters at KEH. Go figure. I got a used B+W thin multi coated CP for less than half the price. In perfect condition. One of the good surprises for that day.

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

Love my Hoya NXT and could not see any other filter doing any better....especially at double the price !