Circular Polarizer Filter- What do these numbers mean? I understand the benefits of using this filter and I'm looking at purchasing one shortly. I see where I can purchase a 58mm...

toast

I understand the benefits of using this filter and I'm looking at purchasing one shortly. I see where I can purchase a 58mm, 67mm, 77mm, 82mmetc .

I don't understand the significance of the numbers and what they mean in practical terms. I also noticed as the numbers go up the price goes up significantly. Can anyone explain in laymen terms?

I've also read where not to buy a cheap one. Thanks so much!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

toast wrote:

I understand the benefits of using this filter and I'm looking at purchasing one shortly. I see where I can purchase a 58mm, 67mm, 77mm, 82mmetc .

I don't understand the significance of the numbers and what they mean in practical terms. I also noticed as the numbers go up the price goes up significantly. Can anyone explain in laymen terms?

I've also read where not to buy a cheap one. Thanks so much!

It indicates the diameter of the filter. You need one that matches the filter threads on your lens.

(Hint: Look on the back of your lens cap for a size)

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

If you have two lenses that you want to use the filter on Buy the bigger filter and a step down ring for the smaller lens. Also remember to take off any other filter (uv or skylight) before using the CP as at wide angles you may get shaddow from the cp filter ring.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

G Brown wrote:

If you have two lenses that you want to use the filter on Buy the bigger filter and a step down ring for the smaller lens. Also remember to take off any other filter (uv or skylight) before using the CP as at wide angles you may get shaddow from the cp filter ring.

It is good advice to buy the larger filter, but a step-UP ring is required to attach it to a smaller size lens. Use a step-DOWN ring to attach a smaller filter to a larger size lens.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

TOAST: After reading your topics and your posts, I strongly suggest that you use the UHH Search and also google and do reading before you ask questions like this one which suggest to many that you are putting on!!!

It is the responsibility on any student to do fundamental research on their own. There are many articles and you tube tutorials that hold a persons hand and walk them thru the basics... give that a try... by the way filters have right hand threads in the northern hemisphere.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

RWR wrote:

It is good advice to buy the larger filter, but a step-UP ring is required to attach it to a smaller size lens. Use a step-DOWN ring to attach a smaller filter to a larger size lens.

EXACTLY!!! I got the circular polarizer in the size of the largest diameter lens that I expected to purchase (77mm which is my 10-24mm wide angle zoom) and got step up rings for my 18-24mm, 50mm, and 70-300 mm lenses. I also got 77mm lens caps for all the lenses so that I never have to take off the step up rings. I now also only have to purchase one size filter for my gear since I can use all filters with any lens. It makes life much simpler. You don't have to search for the right cap, filter etc. when you are in a hurry or in the dark. One filter and cap fits all. (NOTE: besides, my wife tends to lose lens caps so it makes life easer to buy extra caps).

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

toast wrote:

I understand the benefits of using this filter and I'm looking at purchasing one shortly. I see where I can purchase a 58mm, 67mm, 77mm, 82mmetc .

I don't understand the significance of the numbers and what they mean in practical terms. I also noticed as the numbers go up the price goes up significantly. Can anyone explain in laymen terms?

I've also read where not to buy a cheap one. Thanks so much!

They are for the diameter of the lens. You will have to match the circumference of the filter with the circumference of the lens. Look at your lens and on it there will be a size listed. You can buy larger lenses and use step up rings to size correctly for different lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

G Brown wrote:

If you have two lenses that you want to use the filter on Buy the bigger filter and a step down ring for the smaller lens. Also remember to take off any other filter (uv or skylight) before using the CP as at wide angles you may get shaddow from the cp filter ring.

:thumbup:

Buying half a dozen high quality filters in different sizes is a waste of money. Step-up rings are great.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

MT Shooter wrote:

It indicates the diameter of the filter. You need one that matches the filter threads on your lens.

(Hint: Look on the back of your lens cap for a size)

Once again, shallow information. Why not talk about the differences among CP's such as materials, construction, coatings, weight, thickness, reduction in light, vignetting, etc? Why not mention that some manufactures such as Lee provide a square polarizer that quickly clips on and off the lens and with an adapter can be used on lenses of different sizes?

Go ahead, now call me a moron and other names as you have done... go ahead. Please stay on character.

As for the OP's question about cheap or not, there are significant differences with CP's. Brand name alone does not guarantee quality.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mark7829 wrote:

Once again, shallow information. Why not talk abo... (show quote)

Moronic comments like yours speak for themselves, I don't have to.

toast

Thanks for all the replies and help! I've got a few things to digest but I will get it figured out. I really like this site!

bimmer124 Loc: Woodstock, New York

dpullum wrote:

TOAST: After reading your topics and your posts, I strongly suggest that you use the UHH Search and also google and do reading before you ask questions like this one which suggest to many that you are putting on!!!

It is the responsibility on any student to do fundamental research on their own. There are many articles and you tube tutorials that hold a persons hand and walk them thru the basics... give that a try... by the way filters have right hand threads in the northern hemisphere.

How pompous!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

More info -

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

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

MT Shooter wrote:

Moronic comments like yours speak for themselves, I don't have to.

You speak volumes - but it is just air, no substance. Most here are coming to realize that. I have received a number of private tells indicating the same.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mark7829 wrote:

You speak volumes - but it is just air, no substance. Most here are coming to realize that. I have received a number of private tells indicating the same.

As shown by the never ending testimonials to your valuable contributions to this site???

Oh, sorry, I cannot seem to find a single one using the search function. I wonder why that is? Oh yeah, because there aren't any. Keep digging that hole, it's apparently not quite deep enough yet.