Breakthrough Photography Promises The Best Circular Polarizer

[Canon Rumors]

<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">A fairly new filter company, called Breakthrough Photography, just launched what they are calling “the world’s sharpest and most color neutral circular polarizer”, and they’re even making a version specifically for Canon’s CINE lens lineup. So far, here’s what we know about it:</p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">American-made CPL film called <i>CrystalVision®</i></span></li>
<li class="li1"><i></i><span class="s1"><i>SCHOTT B270® </i>Optical glass Made in Germany</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">16-layers of multi-resistant coatings</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Nano coatings to repel elements</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Ultra-slim Weather-sealed Brass “Traction Frame”</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">25 Year Guarantee</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">11 sizes from 39mm to 105mm ($129 to $199)</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">For the next 9 days they’re doing a Kickstarter project, offering up to $50 off while supplies last: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/breakthrough/x3-circular-polarizer/"><span class="s2">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/breakthrough/x3-circular-polarizer/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">On a side note, about 5 weeks ago we received a neutral density filter from Breakthrough, and we weren’t given much information other than a note saying “The X3 ND is the worlds sharpest and most color neutral ND filter, check it out.”. After quite a few comparison tests against a bunch of other neutral density filters here at the Canon Rumors international headquarters, we found their claim held true. </span></p>

 

[docsavage123]

Anyone ever get any filters from these guys?

I ordered 3 x 77 uv filters and they cancelled. They said they could not get supplies in time from Hong Kong - back in March - was emailed saying there was a delay then had order cancelled and paypal refunded.

I was hoping to get them but bought hoya pro ones instead when this happened. Had an email from them recently regarding this polarizer regarding 50% off coupon.

 

[Chaitanya]

I will keep my B+W Kaesmann filters and dont see a reason to change those.

 

[jeffa4444]

Band Pro claim the best "true" ND are True ND made by a Japanese company for cinematography. Cinematographers dont tend to use screw-in filters they use 100 x 100mm, PV size filters or 6.6" filters and they tend to be around 3mm thick which is 1mm thicker than most stills filters. Transmittance needs to be between 380nm to 750nm as neutral grey as a minimum and this cannot be measured purely checking filters on a camera.

Expect Breakthrough Photography to have some competition from the likes of Nisi, Schneider & Lee.

 

[infared]

I don't do polarizers for my photos..but would be interested in seeing a comparison of Breakthru's ND filters compared to my B+W ND filters. I do not use the variable type... I use straight up one-grade filters for different situations for different lenses. I think that approach give maximum consistency and clarity...
Questions:
1.Does Breakthru's results offer anything that a simple color adjustment tweak in PS or LR can't fix?
2.Do their ND filters allow more sharpness and contrast that is noticeable in the real world?

...and then "Show Me" ...LOL!

I guess those are the only two questions most photographers would ask.
I spent sooooo much money (to me) on the B+W filters I own (and lots of brass step up rings, etc.!)...that I cannot really see myself changing. How much better could the results be. To be honest I have never done a test with any of my lenses with a filter/no-filter comparison. I also usually shoot in natural daylight and have not been put off by the results, either.

 

[Click]

I will keep my B+W Kaesmann filters and dont see a reason to change those.

+1

 

[Destin]

Light transmission?

 

[RGF]

Right now I am very happy with my B+W filters. If these are significantly better I'll switch but at the moment all I see is promises, promises, promises.

Show me the money - okay show me the filter.

 

[ahsanford]

I'm hard pressed for a reason to leave my B+W filters for something else:

• Optically, they are right at the top of any reviewer's lists
• The are very well built
• I have only needed a filter wrench on perhaps two occasions for a stuck CPL (from hundreds if not thousands of installations)
• I've never scratched one or held and clingy dust/rocks/sand that didn't come 100% clean with a microfiber.

The only thing that would make them better is a non-threaded (magnetic?) attachment for speed, which is not B+W's problem. I often change out from CPL to UV -- like 4-5 times a day if I'm on walkabout, traveling, etc. and the threading (especially on the CPLs) can get tedious.

Keep in mind a magnetic solution may prevent front weather sealing on some lenses -- depending on the lens, Canon often states that a front filter is required for the lens to be optimally sealed from the elements.

- A

 

[justawriter]

But which is best a filtering money out of my bank account?

 

[mrsfotografie]

The Best Marketing, haha ;D

Now tell me, is this a polarizing remark?

 

[ahsanford]

Also -- the brass looking material on the inside of the ring in this posting seems a questionable call. I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't you want a black ring to knock down any reflections?

- A

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

It did not take them long to get the featured on Canon Rumors as well as other popular photography sites up and running, so their PR engine is certainly working well.

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

Anyone ever get any filters from these guys?

I ordered 3 x 77 uv filters and they cancelled. They said they could not get supplies in time from Hong Kong - back in March - was emailed saying there was a delay then had order cancelled and paypal refunded.

Yea, unfortunately during the time you bought we were using Hong Kong as a distribution point, but customs delays into the USA took too long so we canceled that and moved everything to a Seattle warehouse, and with Amazon Prime warehouses.

Graham

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

I don't do polarizers for my photos..but would be interested in seeing a comparison of Breakthru's ND filters compared to my B+W ND filters. I do not use the variable type... I use straight up one-grade filters for different situations for different lenses. I think that approach give maximum consistency and clarity...
Questions:
1.Does Breakthru's results offer anything that a simple color adjustment tweak in PS or LR can't fix?
2.Do their ND filters allow more sharpness and contrast that is noticeable in the real world?

...and then "Show Me" ...LOL!

I guess those are the only two questions most photographers would ask.
I spent sooooo much money (to me) on the B+W filters I own (and lots of brass step up rings, etc.!)...that I cannot really see myself changing. How much better could the results be. To be honest I have never done a test with any of my lenses with a filter/no-filter comparison. I also usually shoot in natural daylight and have not been put off by the results, either.

Click here: http://breakthrough.photography/performance-gallery/

Graham

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

I'm hard pressed for a reason to leave my B+W filters for something else:

• Optically, they are right at the top of any reviewer's lists
• The are very well built
• I have only needed a filter wrench on perhaps two occasions for a stuck CPL (from hundreds if not thousands of installations)
• I've never scratched one or held and clingy dust/rocks/sand that didn't come 100% clean with a microfiber.

The only thing that would make them better is a non-threaded (magnetic?) attachment for speed, which is not B+W's problem. I often change out from CPL to UV -- like 4-5 times a day if I'm on walkabout, traveling, etc. and the threading (especially on the CPLs) can get tedious.

Keep in mind a magnetic solution may prevent front weather sealing on some lenses -- depending on the lens, Canon often states that a front filter is required for the lens to be optimally sealed from the elements.

- A

Yes, B+W filters are good. They use Nitto CPL Film, made in Korea, sometimes China.

As you can see from the transmission charts every other filter company also uses Nitto as well, and we use it on our X1 CPL. It's good but not great, as it's designed for LCD panels.

X1 CPL: http://amzn.to/1MybYKs

We're the first filter maker to make our own CPL film, we manufacture it in California. We use that one on the X3 CPL.

Graham

 

[mrsfotografie]

Also -- the brass looking material on the inside of the ring in this posting seems a questionable call. I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't you want a black ring to knock down any reflections?

- A

+1 but black isn't a smart marketing move because it wouldn't distinguish the product from everyone else's

Sometimes less is more, ;D

 

[ahsanford]

Also -- the brass looking material on the inside of the ring in this posting seems a questionable call. I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't you want a black ring to knock down any reflections?

- A

+1 but black isn't a smart marketing move because it wouldn't distinguish the product from everyone else's

Sometimes less is more, ;D

Are the inside of lens hoods also brass colored?

I'm sure they've tested for this or accounted for it somehow, but I thought I'd ask.

- A

 

[mrsfotografie]

Also -- the brass looking material on the inside of the ring in this posting seems a questionable call. I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't you want a black ring to knock down any reflections?

- A

+1 but black isn't a smart marketing move because it wouldn't distinguish the product from everyone else's

Sometimes less is more, ;D

Are the inside of lens hoods also brass colored?

I'm sure they've tested for this or accounted for it somehow, but I thought I'd ask.

- A

You can bet the accountant had something to say about this choice ;D

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

Also -- the brass looking material on the inside of the ring in this posting seems a questionable call. I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't you want a black ring to knock down any reflections?

- A

+1 but black isn't a smart marketing move because it wouldn't distinguish the product from everyone else's

Sometimes less is more, ;D

Like all our other filters the X3 CPL is electroplated matte black to eliminate reflections. It's shown as exposed brass for illustrative purposes.

Graham