Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

For ND I love my Breakthrough Technology filters. For UV I use B&W. I look for the least amount of distortion and the best provider of color.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you bought a brand new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM II or an RF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM you've just spent $1900 to $2300 on a lens. Or maybe you bought an older version used for a bit less, but still a pretty serious chunk of money... But now you're concerned about spending $100 or $150 on a quality filter to use on it?

Most assuredly, if you look closely you will see the difference between a "good" filter and a "cheap" filter. You've sunk a lot of money into a lens that will deliver excellent image quality. Any filter you put in front of it will effect every image made with it a little or a lot. It's up to you.

If you are "on a budget", forget about the UV filter and just get a good Circular Polarizer. UV filters are just used for "protection", but some thin piece of glass can only do so much and might even do damage if it's ever broken. The lens hood and lens cap that came with that 24-70mm will do far better job "protecting" it (and any filter you use on it).

That said, I do have good quality, multi-coated UV filters for use on my lenses. I only install them when actually needed, such as shooting in a sand storm, or at the beach and around the surf, or maybe during paintball battles. As a result, UV are among my [i]least used[/u] filters. You might be able to do without them for years, depending upon what you shoot.

Circular Polarizers are one of the most useful filters for digital photography. Don't "cheap out" on one... but do get good value for your money. The two current Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses use an 82mm filter, based on that I recommend (current prices from B&H Photo, though feel free to shop around):

- B+W 82mm XS-Pro Circular Polarizer.... $157

or

- B+W 82mm F-Pro Circular Polarizer...... $137

All B+W filters use top quality German Schott glass. Instead of aluminum, all B+W filters also use brass frames that are more resistant to galling and getting stuck on lenses (or to other filters, if stacked).

Both the above filters also use extra fine "Kaesemann" polarizing foils and are edge sealed for weather resistance.

They also are both "High Transmissive", a newer type that's not as dark as typical C-Pol have been in the past. All C-Pol will reduce the light passing through to some extent. The "standard" type typically reduce it roughly 1.5 to 2.25 stops, depending upon the setting. The High Transmissive type reduce it approx. .75 to 1.5 stops. It's only a difference of about 3/4 stop, but that can be the difference between getting a shot or not, also might have some effect on autofocus performance.

For general outdoor use under a wide range of conditions, you want multi-coated filters. Good coatings will reduce chance of flare and can improve contrast and color saturation. One difference between those two B+W C-Pol filters is that the F-Pro uses 8-layer multi-coatings, while the XS-Pro has 16-layer "Nano" multi-coatings. The XS-Pro coatings are a bit more resistant to dust, oil (fingers), and water. They also probably make the filter easier to clean.

Another difference is that the XS-Pro filter uses a "slim" frame, which might be needed on an ultrawide lens to avoid vignetting. This isn't really necessary on a 24mm, though. The "standard" frame of the F-Pro and all B+W filters is actually pretty low profile. I have one of the XS-Pro too, and can tell you it's VERY slim... in fact it's so slim that it can be a little tricky to install and remove from a lens and to rotate to adjust the effect when it's installed.

For comparison (except as noted, all prices also from B&H)...

- Heliopan 82mm High Transmissive SH-PMC C-Pol, almost identical specs as XS-pro, choice of slim or standard brass frame.... $241.

- Sony T* 82mm C-Pol (made for them by Zeiss, I'm sure)... $228

- Hoya HD3 82mm C-Pol... $224

- Heliopan 82mm SH-PMC C-Pol (not high transmissive), choice of slim or standard frame... $219

- Zeiss T* 82mm C-Pol (no doubt the same filter as the Sony)... $203

- Rodenstock HR 82mm C-Pol... $200 (Adorama)

- Marumi DHG 82mm C-Pol... $200 (Adorama)

- Canon 82mm C-Pol... $200 (Adorama)

- Benro Master SHD C-Pol... $180 (Adorama)

- Nikon 82mm C-Pol II... $179

- Hoya 82mm EVO C-Pol... $170

- Breakthrough Photography X4 82mm C-Pol (also uses Schott glass and brass frame)... $159 (Adorama)

There are more... including some are cheaper than B+W. But both those and many of the above lack some of the features found in B+W XS-Pro or F-Pro. I use a number of B+W filters and have found them consistently high quality. But in types of filters other than C-Pol... such as Neutral Density and UV... they aren't nearly as favorably priced.

All that said, I'm always looking for bargains and just recently bought a couple K&F Concepts "Green" C-Pol, which are made in China and claim to use "imported German Schott glass", have 18-layer multi-coatings and are VERY bargain priced. The two I bought cost half the price of one B+W, let alone the other more expensive brands! They don't say so, but appear to be "high transmissive", too. Unfortunately, I haven't had much opportunity to use them yet, so I can't tell you if there are any issues... But they "look" good to me. I bought direct from China and they took over three weeks to get here. But I see B&H Photo has started carrying them and the top-of-the-line K&F "Green" in 82mm only costs $50! The one review there so far sounds like B.S. to me. It complains that they had to use a rubber band to remove the filter from their lens (I have to do that all the time with various brands) and that the filter is stiff to rotate (mine are too, which I'd rather have than too loose... so it stays where I adjust it... besides, it will undoubtedly loosen up over time with use).

So they seem like a steal, but because I've only just gotten them... Buy at your own risk! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1534846-REG/k_f_concept_kf01_1161_82mm_slim_circular_polarizer.html

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'm still waiting for images comparing the use of a $30 filter and a $150 filter so I can see the difference...

Photocraig

I agree. My CPL's are all multi coated premiums including B+W and Hoya. Bout for a fraction of their price in "Like New" condition from KEH. With their return policy this is MY way to go, especially for the expensive thin, large diameter filters.

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

have you tried 2Filters.com,they offer discounts also?
.......................................message ends............................................

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

No one on UHH has an 82mm $30 filter to show you the contrast ....

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Okay, forget the dollar value, lets say cheap vs. expensive.
(Not referring to a "we be filters" brand at a dollar-two-ninety-eight...)
I realize that technically there IS a difference in quality, but I would simply like to SEE the discernible difference between the two.

Canisdirus

You can watch several videos of the differences between expensive ones...and there are differences.
Common sense tells you the differences widen the cheaper you go.
Folks strapped for cash aren't looking at reviews...
Folks looking at reviews want to know about the better options...
Why you cannot find tests between expensive and cheap...that is not how folks shop typically.
Youtubers want views...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes, common sense does.
I'm not a Youtuber.
I'd just like to see a discernible difference in, lets say an 8x12.
Not talking about shooting for NatGeo,
just your average Ralph.
You know, non-pixel peepers and non-perfectionists.

RPaul3rd Loc: Arlington VA and Sarasota FL

I have used nothing but B&W lens protecting filters for many years. $40 for protection versus scratching a very good lens is a no-brainer. Once I dropped a lens with the B&W filter and the filter shattered but did not break so there were no particles on the optics. Tiffen also makes good lenses protectors, so it comes down to preference. One of the experts at B&H recommended B&W years ago and I've never looked back. My two cents worth ....

Larryshuman

Here are two photos. Whale photo was shot with a cheap 72mm CPL. The car photo was shot with a 82mm CPL. Notice the pink/magenta of the whale photo. This is the tell all of cheap CPL's. You could buy a 82mm CPL for between $19.99 to $147.00. Notice in the car photo the CPL removed the glare off the window on the car.
But you should check on a sheet of white paper. If it shows pink send it back

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Other than "pink"?
How about cheap with no pink?
(Mine have no pink.)

Bummer, nothing to compare with the samples.

That's the idea of a polarizer.

(BTW - Comparison shots should be SOOC, eliminates any other variables.)

Larryshuman

The pink whale whale shot with about a $20.00 CPL. While the car shot was done with about a $40 to $50.00 CPL.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Too bad no one has a shot of the car with a $150+ CPL to compare.