Experience with Vivitar Circular Polarizer Filter: Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20. How does this...

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20.
How does this compare to the Hoya that's about $80. Do I want the "slimmer" version or what.

Is this a "you get what you pay for, thing?" Will the Vivitar do the job adequately?

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

I'm not going to put any mfg. down. I'll simply say, "you get what you pay for."

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20.
How does this compare to the Hoya that's about $80. Do I want the "slimmer" version or what.

Is this a "you get what you pay for, thing?" Will the Vivitar do the job adequately?

At that price I would be concerned about the source of the filter, what business? who is the business? where is this business? is it counterfeit (at $20.00 that is highly likely)? That could be the most expensive $20.00 you ever spent. That price is less than most UV filters. :| :|

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20.
How does this compare to the Hoya that's about $80. Do I want the "slimmer" version or what.

Is this a "you get what you pay for, thing?" Will the Vivitar do the job adequately?

The quality of Vivitar filters varies widely, it all depends on what actual manufacturer supplies them with that product at that moment. "Vivitar" manufactures nothing, they farm out products in quantity and have their name put on them. I have seen some very good filters from them, as well as some that were pure junk, you just never know what you will end up with until its on your lens.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

MT Shooter wrote:

The quality of Vivitar filters varies widely, it all depends on what actual manufacturer supplies them with that product at that moment. "Vivitar" manufactures nothing, they farm out products in quantity and have their name put on them. I have seen some very good filters from them, as well as some that were pure junk, you just never know what you will end up with until its on your lens.

Thanks C. What would you recommend without breaking the bank. Any comments on Tiffen? Thanks, Don

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

davidrb wrote:

At that price I would be concerned about the source of the filter, what business? who is the business? where is this business? is it counterfeit (at $20.00 that is highly likely)? That could be the most expensive $20.00 you ever spent. That price is less than most UV filters. :| :|

Cameta

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Thanks C. What would you recommend without breaking the bank. Any comments on Tiffen? Thanks, Don

Hoya and Tiffen both make good CPL's. My personal choice, and what I use exclusively, are B+W F-Pro models because of their brass mounts, much better than others' aluminum mount rings.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Tiffen, B+W, Lee, Hoya.
You do get what you pay for.
Don't place a piece of junk glass in front of quality optics.
Using your lens at the 24mm end, ensure the CPL's mount ring is of the slim type to avoid vignetting.

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

Most times the "you get what you pay for" holds true. There are exceptions to that saying though... Try it but make sure you can return it if need be....At $20, it's cheap enough that I wouldn't worry about getting my money back though...

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Me too, the B&Ws are the best. Mine is the F-Pro MRC.
Duane

MT Shooter wrote:

Hoya and Tiffen both make good CPL's. My personal choice, and what I use exclusively, are B+W F-Pro models because of their brass mounts, much better than others' aluminum mount rings.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20.
How does this compare to the Hoya that's about $80. Do I want the "slimmer" version or what.

Is this a "you get what you pay for, thing?" Will the Vivitar do the job adequately?

Here's a comparison test. I got the Marumi.

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

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

I have and still do use Vivitar filters with my film cameras and have gotten good results. I have not used them with my digital cameras because I do not believe in switching filters from camera to camera .

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Does anyone have any suggestions with this filter. I want it for my Nikon 24-85mmVRg on my D600. It costs about $20.
How does this compare to the Hoya that's about $80. Do I want the "slimmer" version or what.

Is this a "you get what you pay for, thing?" Will the Vivitar do the job adequately?

I use the Lee filter system. That is where you put a mounting ring on your lens and then you can move the lee system from lens to lens and not have to buy a filter for each different size lens. The Lee filters are excellent and no distortion. I have seen the cheap filters cause distortion or ghosting on images. So most times, you get what you pay for. Think about this, you are going to put a $20.00 filter on a $2,000.00 lens? I wouldn't even consider it.

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

He's putting it on a sub $600 lens, not a $2,000 lens.... Lee is a great folter system, but it's not for everybody...

David Kay wrote:

I use the Lee filter system. That is where you put a mounting ring on your lens and then you can move the lee system from lens to lens and not have to buy a filter for each different size lens. The Lee filters are excellent and no distortion. I have seen the cheap filters cause distortion or ghosting on images. So most times, you get what you pay for. Think about this, you are going to put a $20.00 filter on a $2,000.00 lens? I wouldn't even consider it.

markly86 Loc: Humboldt County CA

jerryc41 wrote:

Here's a comparison test. I got the Marumi.

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

I have both a CP and a variable ND filter by Marumi and have found both to be excellent. Clear glass and well made thin frames (aluminum not brass). There's a little filter place up I Idaho I think that usually stocks them and has good service and prices. I agree with Mt Shooter that that the BW brass ones are the best but for the price Marumi does offer good value.