was_a_guru

I'm wanting to buy some filters (CPL, ND) for my Tamron 18-400. Looking at Amazon there is a range of filters friced from $20 to $100s. The reviews on this seem to have the same percentages of poor to good regardless of price.

Should I opt for the cheaper ones, expensive ones or maybe somewhere in the middle. What brands would you pros recommend?

Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

For screw-in filters, look at the B+W XS-Pro line. They may not have ND filters in this line, so look at B+W MRC as well.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I only use B&W filters. A pro said why put shit glass in front of a $$$ lens

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

How right you are

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Don't put too much faith in Amazon reviews. I always look at the percentage of one-star reviews just to see how many people didn't like the item. A better test is to Google reviews of the item, preferably by professionals. Some customers condemn a product because they don't like the color, or to box arrived damaged.

CPL -
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/09/my-not-nearly-complete-but-rather-entertaining-circular-polarizer-filter-article/
http://www.lenstip.com/139.25-article-Polarizing_filters_test_2015_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-circular-polarizer-filter-5-top-models-tested-and-rated-1320842
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Circular-Polarizer-Filters.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?art=139

http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html
http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/

ND -
https://improvephotography.com/40253/nd-filters-30-filters-reviewed-compared/
http://nofilmschool.com/2016/02/5-filters-go-head-head-neutral-density-shootout
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I've got both ProMaster and B+W and have had good results from both. The ProMaster is much less expensive.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

I've been very happy with Breakthrough filters. They aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

I have some B+W UV filters for protection. I know I don't need them but they make me feel better. I have a B+W polarizer that I had to send back because the adjustment ring wouldn't turn. They fixed it, but it is not working again. I now have Breakthrough polarizer in 82mm (my biggest lens) that is a dream. I use step rings to accommodate my other lenses.

In ND I have a set of Lee filters that I don't use much because they are not as convenient to use as the Breakthrough screw-in's that I have, and they tend to have a color cast that the Breakthrough does not have.

The filters I have are not cheap, but I have tried various cheap filters, and they are just that, cheap.

Bill

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

I switched to Breakthrough Photography for all of my filters, they are expensive but the quality, warranty and customer service are all exceptional.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Try, " Middle of the Road" in your pricing choice, so if the Cheapest is $5.00 and the most expensive is $75.00, consider the one at $35.00.😊, then see your results.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

You can't go wrong with B+W, but they are pricey. If you have a $2,500 or more expensive lens, you need filters that match it's performance. For a $700 lens, a B+W might not make sense if you do a cost-benefit analysis. Mid-priced brand name filters might make the best sense for you.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Beware of knock-offs. They are found on Amazon as well as eBay and it's hard to tell the difference between them & the real McCoy... Best to buy from a seller like B&H or Adorama...

PierreD

Filter for $20? For the manufacturer, this probably just about covers the cost of the plastic rim and the Elmer's glue...

I'd go for (minimally) the middle of the road option.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I will not waste my money on cheap filters. So few are really needed for digital (CPL and ND being two of the few that are actually useful), I just don't see any reason to "cheap out".

Also keep in mind that whenever you use it, the filter will have direct effect on the quality of your images. Cheap filters can wreak havoc on image quality!

It really doesn't matter the cost and quality of your lens. A poor quality filter on a top quality lens certainly makes no sense... but even on a more affordable lens, every time it's used a poor quality filter would keep the lens from reaching it's fullest potential.

B+W F-Pro and XS-Pro are excellent and yet still reasonably priced.... especially their CPL. Their F-Pro and XS-Pro both use "high transmissive" polarization, which has a lighter tinted appearance and "costs" a stop or so less light loss than the old standard type of CPL. These are also both made with high quality, German Schott glass, use fine Kaesemann polarization foils, and are weather sealed and mounted in brass frames (less likely to get stuck than aluminum). The difference is that the F-Pro uses a "standard" frame (which in B+W is already pretty slim)... while the XS-Pro uses a "slim" mount (which may be needed with ultra wide lenses, but probably not with 18mm at your widest... FYI, slim filters also can be a little harder to screw on and off). The F-Pro uses 8-layer multi-coating, while the XS-Pro uses 16-layer "nano" coating. The latter is more scratch/oil/water/dust resistant and a little easier to clean. It's up to you whether that's worth the extra cost.

B+W CPL, in particular, really aren't "pricey" (IMO... after all, "pricey" is a relative term). In the 72mm size your lens uses, a B+W F-Pro CPL costs $77, while the XS-Pro CPL costs $85. (Prices from B&H Photo... probably similar elsewhere.) You can EASILY spend 50% to 100% more for a filter of equal, but no better quality. In fact, you can pretty easily spend just as much or more on lower specification, lesser quality CPL. Of the fourteen different 72mm multi-coated CPL that B&H has in stock right now, there are only three that are less expensive than B+W (and only one of those, the Formatt Hitech, has as good specifications... but it's on sale and very steeply discounted... I haven't used it, but it's worth consideration). The other 72mm multi-coated CPL they offer are a little to a lot more expensive... and many of them do not have all the quality specs that the B+W do.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?view=GRID&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&ci=115&fct=fct_circular-sizes_27%7c72mm%2bfct_design_2321%7cmulti-coated%2bfct_polarizer-combinations_2322%7cplain-polarizers%2bfct_a_filter_by%7c03_INSTOCK&setView=GRID&srtclk=sort&N=4026728357

B+W also offers ND filters... though I don't think those are nearly as favorably priced as their CPL are, compared to other similar high quality, multi-coated brands.

If at all possible, I'd recommend you AVOID "variable" ND filters. The "bad" ones that are prone to uneven effects and ugly color tints are more expensive than high quality, standard ND in various strengths that do a much better job. There are better variable ND... but they're extremely expensive and even they aren't entirely free of "issues". Variable ND really aren't needed for still photography, anyway. If you aren't shooting video, one or two fairly strong standard ND are probably all you'll ever need. If you plan to shoot video, a variable might make more sense... It's either that or a larger number of standard in various strengths, as there's less flexibility to adjust and fine tune exposure in other ways when shooting video.

Finally, beware of reviews and tests you find online. I agree with a previous response that consumer reviews like those on Amazon have to be taken with a grain of salt... no telling the knowledge and abilities of the reviewer who's giving their opinion... and some of them nit pick the silliest things. They're typically better, but also keep a bit of skepticism about "professional" tests and reviews. Those folks can have their biases, too. Also, how old are the tests? The Lenstips site, for example, shows tests done nine years ago. Many of the specific items shown tested there no longer are available and have been superseded by, presumably, improved versions. Comparative prices have changed too. Some of these filters are made in Japan, some in Europe, some in N. America... others, who knows where! Exchange rates, tariffs, shipping costs and other variables have a big effect on cost.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Hoya NXT series are highly regarded. Not the most expensive but are very good. Or a step up Hoya Pro1.