wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

b+w or heliopan filters are the best in the business.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

ABSOLUTELY !!!!!!!

timepass Loc: Yardley,PA

Thanks for the tip on the breakthrough filters,I'm looking for a polarizer for my 80-400 lens.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Many of the filter manufacturers make different grades of filters... Tiffen offers some very high quailty, as well as series that are much lower prices... and lower quality. Hoya probably makes more different series than anyone else (I think they had six different grades of Circular Polarizers, last time I looked... not to mention that Kenko branded filters are made by the same company). B+W has several different series, too, ranging from their cheapest uncoated or single coated filters in aluminum frames to their best and most expensive multi-coated and newest "Nano" multi-coated in brass frames.

Not all manufacturers make all types of filters in every series. So looking for Neutral Density in certain strengths you might have only two or three from the bigger manufacturers, might only see a single choice from some of the smaller and newer ones.

ND filters, in particular, are designated different ways. For example, Hoya calls their 10-stop filter an "ND1000", 9-stop an "ND500" and 6-stop is an "ND64" (those are "filter factors). B+W uses a different naming convention where "#101, 0.3" equals one stop, "#106, 1.8" is six stops and "#110, 3.0" equals ten stops. Other brands you will find using these or other designations that can be confusing, so be sure to confirm what you are buying.

My thinking is always to buy the best I can, since a filter is a relatively universal product that I'm likely to use for the rest of my life even if I change camera systems for some reason.

First I look for high quality glass (such as German Schott glass) and multi-coatings. Some of the latest filter coatings claim improvements to be more resistant to scratches, dust and fingerprints, plus be easier to clean. I've had good luck with B+W MRC and Nano-MRC, Hoya HD2 and HD3, Heliopan SH-PMC, Lee filters. I'd certainly consider Singh-Ray and others, including some newer brands on the market that are reported to be good. Marumi is one I haven't tried yet. I like the design of Breakthrough's frames, which appear to have deeply carved shapes that might make fitting and removing filters easier and may make them less likely to get stuck on a lens.

Many modern lenses use plastic filter threads, which are naturally less prone to stuck filters. If using lenses with metal threads, you might want to look for brass filter frames that are less likely to stick and gall than aluminum. B+W and others offer a lot of their filters in brass frames.

Price is often, but not always, an indicator of filter quality. So look carefully at the specs.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Based on this review - the Breakthrough filters seem to be excellent! Possibly even better than the Lee, with less blue cast, and a lot cheaper and more convenient to use.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

Robeng Loc: California

Billy,

I recommend you stay away from the cheap filters, I believe you get what you pay for. With that said I use Lee GD filters from 3 stops to 10 stops. Singh-Ray Trio filter, Rodenstock CP and have higher end B&W & Hoya UV filters on all my lenses. I have a friend that's an awesome photographer who recommends a Japanese filter company called Marumi. I have never use them but he swears by them.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

in my H.O.P. i dont use any except the poler ,the odd time , i can do what i want in post p . add or take away what i want or dont want

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Tiffen and Hoya are both good brands. In fact Hoya actually manufactures filters for some other top brands. But there are cheap and awful Tiffens, middle-class Tiffens (Which are in the same category with the lower class Hoyas. The better quality Tiffens are the equivalent of the mid-range Hoyas. Then there are high priced Hoyas which are as good as the best brands, but also cost in the same stratospheric range. You should be able to get decent Hoyas for about $50+- (There latest are amazing)

birdmann Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA

Also take a look at used filters. I picked up a clean used 77mm B&W circular polarizer for about $85.