amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

It makes little sense to "cheap out" on a filter that you'll use a lot and will likely be using for many years. Get a good, multi-coated one... since a Circular Polarizer is one of the most useful filters you can buy, able to do things that cannot be replicated very well or at all in post-processing software. (Most other types of filters are unnecessary today, with digital imaging. They can be emulated in-camera or in post-processing.)

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet! There's a whole lot of mis-information above about the prices of C-Pol filters. Look for yourself someplace that stocks a wide variety of brands, such as B&H Photo in NY.

$77 will get you a 67mm, top of the line B+W Kaesemann XS-Pro HT (slim, "high transmissive") with the latest and greatest MRC-Nano coatings. I've been using one of these in another size and have found it an excellent filter.

Or perhaps you don't need "slim", which can be more difficult to install and remove from a lens and isn't necessary for most lenses. In that case there there are choice of a $70 B+W F-Pro Kaesemann MRC or a $62 B+W MRC C-Pol. I use several of both of those, too, and they're also good. The Kaesemann are better sealed against moisture and have slightly finer "foils". The "High Transmissive" type allow more light through.... where typical C-Pol cost 1 to 2 stops of light, the HT cost a little less... about .75 to 1.5 stops.

Those top quality, multi-coated B+W are actually a little or a whole heck of a lot less expensive than similar quality and similarly multi-coated 67mm:

Formatt/HiTech ($82)
Breakthrough ($89)
Tiffen ($90)
Cokin PURE ($95)
Marumi EXUS ($99)
Cokin Slim ($101)
Formatt/Hitech Slim ($112)
Nikon ($114)
Rodenstock ($116)
Hoya EVO ($128)
Hoya HD2 ($130)
Ziess ($146)
Rodenstock HR Digital ($155)
Hoya HD3 ($160)
Rodenstock HR Digital Slim ($175)
Heliopan SH-PMC ($214)
Heliopan SH-PMC HT ($226).

There are even uncoated or single coated 67mm C-Pol filters costing significantly more than the multi-coated B+W, including:

Sigma ($118)
Sony ($124)
Canon ($161)
Hasselblad ($200)
various Singh-Ray ($210 and up).

In fact, at B&H Photo, the only multi-coated C-Pol in 67mm size that are less expensive than B+W are:

MeFoto ($62)
Hoya Pro 1 ($59)
...and a brand I don't know called Vu Sion Slim $59 and Vu Ariel $51.

There are various cheaper uncoated and single coated (which I'd avoid), such as:

Bower ($6.50)
Polaroid ($13)
Tiffen ($33)
Tiffen Slim ($40)
Hoya HRT ($45)
Hoya Alpha ($45)
Hoya "Moose" ($50)

Regarding that "Moose" filter, which is a C-Pol combined with a warming filter (as are some Singh-Ray and others)... Those were helpful with film. But on digital cameras Auto White Balance or Custom White Balance will cancel out the warming effect, so it's sort of a waste.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

The best are by Zeiss. They're expensive but optically as good as can be manufactured. For example, a 72mm polarizer costs $158....and if you want the best, you have to cough up the big bucks. Ricker

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

amfoto1
Thank you for your in depth information on a cpl. The information and time you spent in the reply is much appreciated. badapple

Photocraig

To my surprise, I searched KEH for used filters. I found and bought a B+W Multi coated 67mm CPL for a very reasonable price. Came in a holder and looked like to was never used. I'm very pleased and will buy my next filters this way, too. Their return policy makes it a secure deal. Same with step rings. They get all sorts of stuff with their used inventory.

Check it out.

I agree with the ideas about putting cheap glass in front of expensive (and they're ALL expensive) lenses. It is like scrimping on your eyeglasses.

C

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

I have a Breakthrough that fits my largest mm lens with stepup rings for key smaller mm lenses. Excellent, and made in America! Here's a link to the manufacturer from whom I purchased mine. It's my understanding Adorama also carries them.

http://breakthrough.photography/

Tinkerbell Loc: Bethalto IL

I use all B&W filters

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

I have their cpl and it is well made. I've used it whenever taken pics with water in scene. No complaints.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Do many of you folks leave a polarizing filter on continuously?
I recently watched a YouTube video about polarizer and it was recommended to leave the polarizing filter on all the time.
Any thoughts on this idea?

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

Did they give a reason for that?

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Aaaah, the presenter simply said that a polarizing filter would certainly keeps the lens glass protected from dust, debris and water and would be much better than a plastic UV filter, which he considered worse than a polarizing filter because almost all UV filters have terrible optical qualities. He also stressed that the polarizing filters for camera lenses vary a lot in optical properties and he recommended buying only a very high quality polarizer. I bought a Zeiss circular polarizer and it is indeed optically excellent, but it cost over $150 for 72mm diameter. Best regards, Ricker

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

You sort answered my question by accident. I'd rather damage a less expensive UV filter than the Zeiss Polarizer but in truth I don't put anything on my lenses for protection other than a lens hood which is really cheap.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Makes good sense to me! I do the same.