kb6kgx wrote:
I’m looking for a CP for my Sigma 17-50, which takes a 77mm filter. It’s been recommended, here in UHH, that the Kaesemann filters are very good. Not inexpensive, but not too much, either.
It’s also been recommended to just go with the Nikon-branded filters. Why put anything else on a Nikon lens, some commenters have said.
I wouldn’t have a real problem with the Nikon filters, as I’ve seen only one in each filter size, but with the Kaesemann filters, there appears to be several versions, covering a wide price range. But I don’t know why I would want THIS one as opposed to THAT one, what the differences are, etc.
One negative I’ve heard about the Nikon CP is that because it’s such a thin filter, that it’s hard to get a good grip on it for removal purposes. You think you’re turning the filter, but you’re just turning the moveable part of it.
So, recommendations on which CP to buy?
I’m looking for a CP for my Sigma 17-50, which tak... (
show quote)
B+W and Heliopan both make Kaesemann filters. Kaesemann refers to the type of polarizing foil used in them, as well as additional weather sealing.
Shop around....
77mm B+W F-Pro Kaesemann High Transmissive MRC is $90 and 77mm B+W F-Pro Kaesemann High Transmissive Nano MRC is $110.... at B&H Photo or Adorama, in NYC (free shipping).
Both those B+W filters use high quality Schott glass in a brass frame (less likely than aluminum to get stuck). Both are also High Transmissive (HT), which means they block less light than "traditional" C-Pols. They "cost" approx. .76 to 1.5 stops, where regular C-Pol block approx. 1 to 2 stops or a little more.
The difference between the two B+W Kaesemann HT is that the XS-Pro uses a slim frame, while the F-Pro's is standard (B+W's standard is already pretty low profile). The F-Pro uses 8-layer "MRC" multi-coating, while the XS-Pro uses 16-layer "Nano MRC" that's a little more dust/scratch/water/oil resistant and easier to clean.
77mm Breakthrough Photography X4 has almost identical specs to the B+W XS-Pro... for $150. 77mm Heliopan HT Slim is also very similar to the XS-Pro... for $195.
The Nikon "II" filter is a said to be a good one too, has 8-layer multi-coating (earlier Nikon filters, not "II", do not have multi-coatings)... but uses an aluminum frame and unspecified glass... 77mm for $129. That's roughly equal to Breakthrough's X2, which sells for about $100, 77mm.
Some other good ones:
Singh-Ray LB ColorCombo (warming & intensifying) 77mm... $370 (slim version $400)
Singh-Ray LB Neutral (alu frame) 77mm... $240
Rodenstock HR Digital (HT, slim brass frame, multi-coated) 77mm... $205
Hoya HD3, 16-layer nano coatiings ("optical" glass? aluminum frame) 77mm... $200
Zeiss T* (unspecified glass and coatings) 77mm... $180
Rodenstock Digital Pro MC 77mm... $165
Hoya EVO (16 layer nano coatings, alu frame) 77mm... $156
Heliopan SH-PMC (same specs as F-Pro, but not HT) 77mm... $146
Tiffen HT (unknown glass & coatings, titanium frame) 77mm... $126
Marumi EXUS (alu frame with Teflon coated threads) 77mm... $118
Hoya NXT Plus (unspecified glass & coatings, alu frame) 77mm... $113
It's pretty hard to beat B+W's price versus features & quality.
Note: C-Pol are available combined with warming.... If you use Auto White Balance or Custom White Balance while the filter is installed, the warming effect is cancelled. (Warming can be achieved with digital simply using
Warm Cards or similar to set a Custom WB.) C-Pol are also available combined with neutral density, to increase the amount of light being blocked. Combination filters tend to be a good deal more expensive, but can reduce need to stack filters when multiple effects are wanted.