Reddit mentions: The best polarizing filters

Depends on what your goals are. If your goal is to have a nicer camera, then sure, it's always time for a new camera. (It's perfectly fine to want to buy something nice if it makes you happy. Just be careful about your budget.)

If you want to improve your photography, then ask yourself, "What is the thing that's limiting my pictures being better?" You might find that thing to be your tools, but it could also be the squishy bit behind the viewfinder. Find some photos that you like and ask yourself, "What's stopping me from taking pictures like this?"

The last time someone asked about equipment for beginner car photography, this was my advice:

> I think good car photography is more about composition, lighting and editing more than quality camera/lenses. For example, here's an interesting way of doing car photography with an ice light. They're $400 each, but if you're into DIY, I'm sure you could figure out your own solution.

> Off-camera flashes are also good - YongNuo and Neewer are pretty popular affordable solutions.

> Photoshop is also an extremely useful tool in car photography.

> I'd say to get the cheapest camera that has a hotshoe, shoots RAW, and has a remote trigger option. Get the cheapest lens with a useful zoom range. One example is the Sony NEX-5N. A tripod is essential. A circular polarizer is pretty useful for cutting down on unwanted glare & reflection.

Don't fall into the trap of getting a great camera and no lighting. Good luck :)

I'm not too sure why he recommended a UV filter, but as for the CPL filter, I would go this way they're pretty good bangs for the bucks.

A general recommendation is to not go cheap on the filters. The system will be only as good as its weakest part. The D3300 has very good IQ, these two lenses are very good when stopped down a bit, so don't put garbage in front of it all.
There are plenty of very good options when it comes to CPL, more expensive ones too. I personally use these and I'm fully satisfied !

Edit: side-note, you may also consider a larger filter thread + an adapter. I think adapters are super-annoying so I tend to use appropriately-sized ones instead, but you may be advised by some people to buy a 77mm filter with a 77-to-52mm step-down adapter. 77mm filters are pricier, but can be used on a wider variety of lenses, either directly or via other adapters (larger full-frame zooms tend to have 77mm filter threads).

Edit2: Maybe instead of UV he was thinking about ND (neutral density) filters, which are a must-have for landscape photography, but might be overwhelming/overkill for somebody just picking-up photography. Besides, good ND filters aren't cheap.

Yeah, the 50mm is a mild tele on a crop sensor - perfect for some things, but a bit restrictive. The 24mm is great, and so cheap that it's hard to go wrong with it. Won't even save any money getting it used.

For cars (or other highly reflective things), a polarizer filter is a really great accessory. The pancake doesn't rotate as it focuses so it makes it easy to use.

52mm thread. Amazon has them for $10. Get a little step-up ring and you can use it with your nifty fifty too - which is very usable for car photography too, lots of opportunity for close-ups there.

I'm a bit in your same situation. I'm going to Iceland for 12 days and going to try and shoot a ton of landscapes with my Canon 60D and Tokina 11-16mm Ultra Wide angle (uses 77mm filters). Here's what I got on a budget from a little digging on Amazon.com:

Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer: $144; on sale for $20!

B+W 10 Stop Neutral Density filter: $252; on sale for $100

Tiffen 77mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter: $99; on sale for $25

Step-up and Step-down rings let you use your pricey filters on your other lenses; saving you lots of $$$!
Fotodiox 7 Metal Step Up Ring Set, Anodized Black Metal 49-52mm, 52-55mm, 55-58mm, 58-62mm, 62-67mm, 67-72mm, 72-77mm: $13.49

Fotodiox 7 Metal Step-Down Ring Set, Anodized Black Metal. 77-72mm, 72-67mm, 67-62mm, 62-58mm, 58-55mm, 55-52mm, 52-49mm: $14.60

Pedco UltraPod II Lightweight Camera Tripod: $16.67 instead of a $100+ Gorillapod

You can go super cheap/artsy and use welding glass as a ND filter: $6 There's lots of easy tutorials on how to fix the color tint of the glass online.

Travel and photography are both amazing yet expensive hobbies. I hope my little list helps you out by saving you a little $ on the photo side; letting you have more $ on the travel side to do and see more... thus getting more amazing shots!

I'm looking at getting my first polarizer since I shoot outside a lot. Looking at a 67mm to use with my Canon 10-18, 18-55, and 50mm EOS lenses (I already have step up rings).

Budget is $100 CAD, not looking for anything fancy but just want something to play with. Had a look at this one, any other thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks!

Edit - upon further consideration, I just impulse bought a Canon EFS 24mm f2.8 lens instead. So.... yeah. Thanks for the advice though lol

I want to buy a decent Circular polarizing filter, but I don't want to spend more than 50$. I found that Hoya gets good reviews, and often are in my price range, but they have different 'models'. Which polarizing filter is the best for ~50$?

Here are some examples of which ones I found, but don't know the difference between them:
https://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Circular-Polarizer-Hardened-Multi-Coated/dp/B001GJ33V2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480082050&sr=8-3&keywords=hoya+circular+polarizer+58mm

https://www.amazon.com/Hoya-alpha-Circular-Polarizer-Filter/dp/B009IY2A5C/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1480082050&sr=8-11&keywords=hoya+circular+polarizer+58mm

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-CIRCULAR-POLARIZER-FILTER-Camera/dp/B000KL7J3A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480082086&sr=8-6&keywords=hoya+circular+polarizer+58mm

Thanks in advance!

Oh I wholeheartedly recommend the 35mm f1.8 dx, I just think that it might not be the right lens for landscape shots in the classical sense, which are typically a bit wider in terms of focal length (think 15-30mmish for crop sensors). Then again, people take stunning landscapes with tele zooms, so there's that. It all depends on the scenery and what you envision.

You should definitely read about those filters, there are tons of articles, tutorials and videos available. Like this or this or whatever comes up when you google "what does a polarizer do".

The thing is, with the bundle you linked, it's too expensive IMHO. Tiffen is a reputable company, but especially if you don't know what a polarizer does yet wanna play around with one, I'd recommend getting something cheap but good like this.

From what I read it looks like this is kind of what you want:https://youtu.be/MHFPOKyDUcg
This guy did it with clear plastic of some kind.
Personally I think you need some kind of plastic with a anti sun layer like your sunglasses. I think it is this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009P8B548/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_328_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V98YPDXAE5GKAP13FEVF
put it on a a clear pice of plastic for strength. Please note that the direction of the polarizing filter. I think if you want to go full diy you can use the polarizing filter from a old screen https://youtu.be/zL_HAmWQTgA

*Please note I am not a expect. This is just some quick thinking and making use of my small experience with hololence*****

I hope this helps

I just purchased a new lens, and I realize I have no real appreciative knowledge about lens filters. All I really know is that I have an inclination that it will protect the lens itself from damage. I usually shoot landscape (nature, parks), or nighttime (milkyway, stars). Is a lens filter like this one cheaping out? It seems to have positive reviews, but I thought I'd ask you all! I would like to protect the lens, but I don't want to degrade the quality of the lens. Thanks!

• A circular polarizer filter. Great for outdoor shots.
  
• Black Rapid strap or similar. The included Nikon strap is not very comfortable.
  
• Flash diffuser. Huge fan of the Interfit. Small, collapsible and works great for most situations. Greatly improves even the on-camera flash.

Instead of watching a 17 minute video, here's a text instruction:

1. Open the monitor case and remove the display panel itself
   
2. Bend the metal frame of the panel so you can separate the layers (they are just stacked, not glued). You can usually bend it on the back
   
3. Tear off the foil at the front. Be careful to not break the display panel. Works best on a flat surface where you can push down the panel with one hand and tear off the foil with the other. It usually comes off in one piece
   
4. Clean up the glue residue. Window cleaner works ok in most cases. When you use aggressive cleaner, be sure you only apply it to the panel and not the cables attached to it
   
5. Put the panel layers back into the frame in the same order you removed them and bend it closed again
   
6. Reassemble the monitor
   
7. Power on. If it's completely white, you're good to go. You can hold up the removed polarizer in front of it to test it. The image will also be faintly visible if you look at it from a steep angle.
   
8. Get yourself some 3D movie glasses and a sheet of polarizer
   
9. Hold the polarizer in front of the monitor until the image is clearly visible (try 45° angles first), then trace the glasses with a sharpie and cut the sheet and install into the glasses (discard the old polarizer pieces in it)
   
   Note: The removed polarizer foil will be unusable for the glasses. That foil is what's responsible for the monitor being glossy or matte and the picture will be blurry unless you hold it directly against the panel. The glue is also difficult to get off (I tried WD-40, brake cleaner and gasoline and my foil is still sticky)
   
   Removal with a knife:
   
   Some people (including the person in the video) remove the foil using a knife. Don't do that. There's a chance you damage the display panel with the blade or slip off and cut yourself because cutting the polarizer requires a lot of force since it's much thicker than you would think. It's difficult to feel when you hit the glass below. It also takes longer than dismantling the panel.

Sure! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filter_(photography)

Amazon, b&h photo. You just need to look up the thread size of your lens and get one that would fit. Like all things photography related the best stuff costs $, however I've never had a problem using these.

Lens Rentals did some testing on CPL filter a little while back, this initial one with mid to high range filters, and this one with some cheaper ones.

A Hoya one will be fine, but you can spend more if you want to. Roger basically says in second link that all filters do their job of filtering polarised light, but the better ones let more light through and have better coating to reduce flair, ghosting, reflections, etc.

I have a Hoya Pro-1 Digital that i used for years with no issues and Marumi EXUS (tested in that first link) that i got later when i wanted a 67mm filter to cover all my systems. I did a little test between them myself after reading that blog and couldn't really see any quality difference on the images. Marumi definitely has better transmission, only cutting the light by 1 stop, where my Hoya cut it by 1.66 stops; not sure where his 91% light transmission number comes from on that first link though.

The only other one i've used recently is the Amazon Basics CPL, which is probably the cheapest non-chinese junk one you can get. In a word i'd describe it as 'shit', has yellow and magenta casts and kills 2 stops of light, almost ruined the Ektar i shot it on.

Anyway don't go super cheap, but you don't need to do super expensive either. Thing is with stuff like filters if you get good ones and don't break them, they will probably last decades.

The nikon 77mm CPL goes for $149 on amazon and is really good.

Take a look at the B+W ND filter. I don't have it, but it is highly rated and B+W has a good name.

Here is the B+W graduated ND filter. Also good.

Honestly I wouldn't bother with such an expensive CPL on a superzoom, or with most setups really, unless you had a particular need for one. Amazon's cheap CPLs get quite good reviews. I just got one myself but can't vouch for it yet as I haven't had time to use it.

That said I've also used a B+W XS-Pro that was quite nice.

Is there any brand or certain type of circular polarizer you recommend? This Tiffen 58mm lens on Amazon has fairly good reviews...

I appreciate all the fast responses. I have researched a a bit and decided to go with these.
Macro Lens:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005C50H2Y/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Uv lens:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XNMWCF8/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Polarizer lens:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XNMXNV0/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Camera:
https://www.ebay.com/p/Nikon-D3400-DSLR-Camera-Body-Only-black/886214437?iid=172511228968&chn=ps&ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fp%25252FNikon-D3400-DSLR-Camera-Body-Only-black%25252F886214437%25253Fiid%25253D172511228968%252526chn%25253Dps%2526itemid%253D172511228968%2526targetid%253D313776934696%2526device%253Dm%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9052898%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D833559251%2526adgroupid%253D39417365901%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-313776934696%2526abcId%253D1123856%2526merchantid%253D8567664%2526gclid%253DCjwKCAjwt5DXBRAtEiwAa3vyEijalntN16m4qbG8DRZvYmt-5wBg5dFSSbEBT5f7NBkTr8MSWfoBPhoCNgkQAvD_BwE%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1514306914752%2526rvr_ts%253D0f7ac2661630aad93b312adbfffe4164

Tripod:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/366230-REG/Nikon_822_Compact_Tripod_with_2_Way.html?ap=y&c3api=1876%2C92051678402%2C%2C&gclid=CjwKCAjwt5DXBRAtEiwAa3vyEpvng7_mfdC4T8JpbT4Q9RTy9EbGakAcC4xrgV7FQjh9FnJOUU6KvRoCb-AQAvD_BwE


Will this be sufficient for this use? Any recommendation other assessories that would be helpful?

Is there a specific B+W or Hoya CPL you could recommend? Are those still better than the Nikon (found the link) at $65?

i'll be going to vermont next week, mostly for skiing. i'll be taking pictures of nature, wildlife, and some skiing with a t4i with a canon 18-135. i'm thinking of getting this tiffen polarizing filter. Would it be worth the money? would this really help the shots that i might get? i know what polarizers do, I'm just not sure if it would be appropriate for going to Vermont. thoughts? thanks!

I've used Hoya filters for over a decade and they've always been great. I specifically have Hoya Pro 1 Digital. You could buy one for each lens, 58mm for the 18-55 and 43mm for the 23/2. Alternatively you could buy one at the largest diameter of the lenses you currently have or plan to have, and buy a step-up ring set to convert it to the diameter of the rest of your lenses.

Polarizing filters are pretty cheap! This one's $20 right now (List price $80). They're even cheaper if not circular - you want a circular one if you want to be able to achieve the effect from any given angle, though.

e: word

> Polar Pro

thanks i'm gonna pick this one up on amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GV8QO2S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ABSER5PUBOKRD

You could try adding a polarizing filter in front of your webcam lens:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Circular-Polarizer-Lens-58/dp/B00XNMXYBY/

It will darken things, but at the correct rotation, it should get rid of most light reflecting from your monitor.

Or, move the webcam a little off-angle. Put it on the corner of your screen, may help.

Just a few more to add to the list:

18% grey card

Neewer TT560 flash

Neewer 43-inch 5-in-1 reflector

Tiffen Circular polarizer

7 ft. light stand

47" Speedlight Umbrella Softbox

Continuous lighting kit

New camera bag


[EDIT] Added more things to the list, as I think of things I'll continue to expand it.

I was already looking at this one! any advice?

seems to be the go-to one and its not badly priced for what it does. I saw the video on their page and it makes a huge difference -- https://www.amazon.com/PolarPro-Polarizer-Glass-Filter-GoPro/dp/B00GV8QO2S

I wanted some advice on this lens filter
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hoya-Circular-Polarizing-UV-Screw/dp/B00344E5DW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1492611214&sr=1-3&keywords=polarising%2Bfilter%2B49mm&th=1

I am looking to get a mid range polarizing filter, this one is a UV and polarizing filter combined. I am not looking for a UV filter, so i was wondering if having a combination filter like this would decrease the quality of the polarisation? (As in, Hoya have to make a compromise in order to combine these two together).

You should grab one of these. Great for getting rid of glare and getting details on clouds... through water... etc.

AmazonBasics Circular Polarizer Camera
Photography Lens - 58 mm
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00XNMXYBY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KSBADbSBD8MYN

If you've got a pair of polarized sunglasses handy you can hold them in front of the lens and shoot through those. Just rotate them around until you find the sweetspot.

i did it myself. get one of these and note the reviewers are mostly idiots that didn't realize it ships with protective plastic film on each side that needs to be removed:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009P8B548/

remove your cluster, peel off the existing polarizing filter from the screen, and clean the screen with alcohol

plug the cluster back in to your bike while still disassembled and turn electrics on

hold the new filter above the screen and rotate until you get the desired color, then mark the filter where the corners of the screen are

use a razor to cut a piece of the filter you bought, using the marks you made and the old filter's shape as a guide. remove the protective film from the new filter then tape it onto the screen at the edges (which are hidden by a bezel) and reassemble

same exact method works for any lcd screen

https://youtu.be/PMLC6xAff80

This ND filter is cheap ($24) and works very well: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GNBHZR6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I have no complaints about it! I took this with it: http://i.imgur.com/K90hfvO.jpg

No issues with color cast or sharpness!

I have this Hoya CPL ($30) for my 58mm filters: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KL7J3A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

No complaints, works amazing.

And this Tiffen CPL ($36) for my 77mm filter:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCI3?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I love it.

Really? I heard some good things about Tiffen but they're only $20

https://www.amazon.com/Tiffen-52CP-52mm-Circular-Polarizer/dp/B00004ZCAU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483422884&sr=8-2&keywords=52mm+tiffen

Hoya and B+W are two brands I trust. I believe you need a 67mm filter for that lens? Check on it, it should say somewhere.

You can get cheaper ones for around $20, but here's one for about $41.

I want to buy a polarizer for my sigma 16mm 1.4 lens. Should I go for a cheap filter or expensive one? I've never used a polarizer before.

https://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-Circular-Polarizer-Lens-67/dp/B00XNMY8BY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1540497132&sr=8-4&keywords=67mm+polarizer

https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffen-67CP-67mm-Circular-Polarizer/dp/B00004ZCFQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1540497132&sr=8-6&keywords=67mm+polarizer

This CPL filter should be fine - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004ZCAU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdm_1a5Nub1A98B5F

There are several on Amazon. You must pick one that fits your lens diameter. Here is the one I use: http://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-CIRCULAR-POLARIZER-FILTER-Camera/dp/B000KL7J3A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1463425667&sr=8-6&keywords=circular+polarizing+filter

There was a thread on ND filters last week - search for "ND Filters". General consensus is don't buy the cheap adjustable ones. In the $20-30 range fixed ND filters are fine, and $150 is a silly price to pay for one. If you want an adjustable one, though, spend the big bucks.

As for the polarizer, i use an AmazonBasics Polarizer. It works as expected, and I'm not sure it makes sense to spend more on the polarizer.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Circular-Polarizer-Lens-58/dp/B00XNMXYBY is the exact CPL I use, i do not get a color cast or any noticeable decrease in sharpness from it. Its cheap, and causes me to lose 1.5-2.5 stops of light.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCDI is my ND filter, its a 3 stop, so when combined with the CPL I get around 5 stops. I get a very small color cast when using both, but it is easily fixed in post.

Can't get much more budget...

This is what I found online, which one do you use specifically? This looks promising

Nope, I think it's a circular polarizing filter (like this).

The photographer likely also had a polarizer on - hence making it black.

I've got this one. It's decent for the price.

I am looking to buy a cheap variable nd filter and polarizing filter for my NIKKOR 18-55mm lens. The polarizing filter I am looking at is the Tiffen 52mm Circular Polarizer. I'm still not sure which nd filter to get. Should I get the ZOMEi ND2-ND400 or the Polaroid Optics ND filter?