How much do you really need to spend on a polarising filter?

engstrom0304

engstrom0304

engstrom0304

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Hi guys...

I've been looking around... want a polarising filter for my canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, which needs a 52mm filter...

Prices vary so much from just a few pounds to well, much more than that!

So how much of a difference does it really make?
 
For a 52mm, 30-40 seems pretty decent mid/upper range I think. My 77mm was about £65 and it was mid/upper range.
 
The better the glass, the more important it is to have a decent filter. I had a cheap CP on my kit lens and it was great to me at the time. I didn't notice much of a loss in quality. However, I tried the same thing when I got my 24-70L with a cheap CP and it was absolutely horrible.

The glass in the 50 1.8 isn't spectacular, but the lens is still good enough to warrant making a bit of effort. Also think about the future. Are there many other lenses you may potentially want that have a 52mm mount? If so, get a good CP.
 
SMed said:
The better the glass, the more important it is to have a decent filter. I had a cheap CP on my kit lens and it was great to me at the time. I didn't notice much of a loss in quality. However, I tried the same thing when I got my 24-70L with a cheap CP and it was absolutely horrible.

The glass in the 50 1.8 isn't spectacular, but the lens is still good enough to warrant making a bit of effort. Also think about the future. Are there many other lenses you may potentially want that have a 52mm mount? If so, get a good CP.
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Probably wont be getting another lens for a while... any particular make you would go for?
 
Yeah, Hoya are a good start. I've got the Hoya Pro1 Digital Filter, and it had plenty of good reviews. Like I said, for a 77mm it was about £65 I think. Just glancing now and they seem to be about £30 for a 52mm which seems about right I would say for a mid/upper range filter. :)
 
I had a cheapo CP filter on my lenses to start with, it worked fine and i dont know what happened to it but when on holiday noticed all my shots were soft but fine wothout it. It didnt looked damaged in any way but i must have done something to it.
I use the hoya pro1 fitlers now and never had a problem
 
Hoya pro1 D would be the lowest end I would consider, anything less will give color cast, and rob sharpness & contrast, will flare more.
 
D.P. said:
Hoya pro1 D would be the lowest end I would consider, anything less will give color cast, and rob sharpness & contrast, will flare more.
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Just out of curiosity what is at the highest end?

I'm currently looking for a filter for my 70-200 f4 L and I'm baffled by the amount of different prices. I don't mind spending a lot on a filter if its good, I just don't want to spend a lot on a rubbish filter.

Edit... Also you can get linear and circular polarising filters... can some one sum up the difference in a sentence or two?
 
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I am guessing you also have the kit lens which will have a 58mm filter. My choice would be a 58mm Hoya pro1 D plus a step down ring to 52mm. That way you can use it on both your kit lens and your nifty fifty.
 
Personally I'd go for a Hoya Pro-1 which are about £30, for the simple fact that the 50 1.8 itself is only £80 and the 52mm thread size isn't that common.
 
to be honest ive never had any bother out of my jessops 77mm CP, no noticable casts or IQ issues on the sig 70-200 2.8 or sig 50 1.4. not tried it on the 24-105 4 yet though.
 
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