Breakthrough Photography Promises The Best Circular Polarizer

[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

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

Cool, that makes engineering and marketing sense However aren't you worried customers aren't getting what they expect (the brass ring).

 

[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

Cool, that makes engineering and marketing sense However aren't you worried customers aren't getting what they expect (the brass ring).

In our last Kickstarter campaign we did the same thing and with around 5,200 units shipped we never got anyone asking about brass color / black, so I don't think so.

Graham

 

[PhotographerJim]

I backed this, I'm really looking forward to giving it a try.

 

[memoriaphoto]

"The X3 ND is the worlds sharpest and most color neutral ND filter"

That sounds just like something written by Ken Rockwell ;D

 

[RolandW]

I am very happy with the 6 stop solid neutral density filter I have from Breakthrough Photography, and will likely replace my current 10 stop square filter with an X3 Breakthrough round screw on soon. If you look in to their technical information, you will find they are for real with their claims on the solid ND's, and I expect that the X3 polarizers will also be top notch products. Their mechanical construction of the X3 solid ND's is of very high quality, and the demo video of the X3 polarizer gives hope that the polarizers will be very easy to turn with one finger. My existing B+W polarizers often are not as easy to turn as I would like. Breakthrough is a small company, but seems to have responsive customer service, and there products are made in the US. I will be going for two sizes of X3 polarizers for now, and if they perform well, I will likely order more later.

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

"The X3 ND is the worlds sharpest and most color neutral ND filter"

That sounds just like something written by Ken Rockwell ;D

Haha yea, you're right

There's no such thing as a completely color ND filter, contrary to what other filter companies say, and what we're actually guaranteeing is that the transmission profile is the flattest of any ND filter, which is an objective claim that makes true "most color neutral".

This is a pretty comprehensive objective overview: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

Graham

 

[Stu_bert]

Hi Graham

Do you have any intentions to do filters for use with filter holders? I know it's a personal preference thing and I'd be interested in square or rectangular filters, but alas not screw on.

Thank you
Stu

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

Hi Graham

Do you have any intentions to do filters for use with filter holders? I know it's a personal preference thing and I'd be interested in square or rectangular filters, but alas not screw on.

Thank you
Stu

Hello Stu,

Yes, in fact we're already done with 4x4 square filters, we'll be launching those next.

We're also just finishing a high quality filter holder with adapter rings, and no we won't be selling adapter rings for $64 like the other guys.

Graham

 

[Stu_bert]

Hi Graham

Do you have any intentions to do filters for use with filter holders? I know it's a personal preference thing and I'd be interested in square or rectangular filters, but alas not screw on.

Thank you
Stu

Hello Stu,

Yes, in fact we're already done with 4x4 square filters, we'll be launching those next.

We're also just finishing a high quality filter holder with adapter rings, and no we won't be selling adapter rings for $64 like the other guys.

Graham

Sweet, I will keep an eye out for those

 

[AshtonNekolah]

B+W For Life Period! Take that back, will check it out for sure anything made here in the USA got my attention, I will check it out.

 

[Mac Duderson]

Anyone see these tests?
http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

I wished they did a ND test but in the end based off of some of their results I ended up buying the Hoya Pro1 Digital MC NDx8 and NDx32 which honestly I can't stand. I use them full time shooting commercial and weddings and always come home hating the color. It's more then a WB issue. These filters ruin the color look and I can't really repair it in post.
Then based off of the PL results I went with the Marumi DHG Super Circular PLD which I don't use that often but I'm pretty happy with the results and very clear it seems.

However I think I need to give these "Breakthrough's" a try. I remember seeing the ND's a while ago and just thought "just another filter claim." I guess for the price of this PL I should just try them out. I really need to do something about my ND's.

 

[Destin]

Light transmission?
[/quote

Click the link.

Hi Graham, how many stops of light do they transmit. I couldn't find this listed anywhere?

 

[ahsanford]

Anyone see these tests?
http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

I wished they did a ND test but in the end based off of some of their results I ended up buying the Hoya Pro1 Digital MC NDx8 and NDx32 which honestly I can't stand. I use them full time shooting commercial and weddings and always come home hating the color. It's more then a WB issue. These filters ruin the color look and I can't really repair it in post.
Then based off of the PL results I went with the Marumi DHG Super Circular PLD which I don't use that often but I'm pretty happy with the results and very clear it seems.

However I think I need to give these "Breakthrough's" a try. I remember seeing the ND's a while ago and just thought "just another filter claim." I guess for the price of this PL I should just try them out. I really need to do something about my ND's.

I've been very happy with all of my B+W products (UV + CPL for all my lenses). My 10 stop ND, however, is from Lee and it has a ferocious color cast. I generally can back it out in post -- sometime I cannot -- but as an amateur who uses it only a few times a year, I'm not hard pressed to replace it.

- A

 

[RobertG.]

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.

Hi, I ordered a 6-stop nd filter from them in October 2015. For a week it didn't leave Austin, Texas, where their warehouse is located. When the issue was solved, it arrived here in Berlin, Germany, within 5 days. The customer service, Graham, replied to all questions very fast. I would order from them again.

The price of the 105mm CPL filter is pretty good, at least in the kickstarter campaign. But I already have an old 105mm Sigma CPL filter, which still does a pretty good job and offers pleasing colors. So why should I spend more than US$ 150 for a new filter? I also have B+W and Hoya CPLs. I really don't like the colors of the Hoya pro 1 digital CPL but I hardly ever use it at all because I mainly shoot with the 105mm attached to the LEE filter holder, if I use a CPL.

 

[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.

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.

Hi, I ordered a 6-stop nd filter from them in October 2015. For a week it didn't leave Austin, Texas, where their warehouse is located. When the issue was solved, it arrived here in Berlin, Germany, within 5 days. The customer service, Graham, replied to all questions very fast. I would order from them again.

The price of the 105mm CPL filter is pretty good, at least in the kickstarter campaign. But I already have an old 105mm Sigma CPL filter, which still does a pretty good job and offers pleasing colors. So why should I spend more than US$ 150 for a new filter? I also have B+W and Hoya CPLs. I really don't like the colors of the Hoya pro 1 digital CPL but I hardly ever use it at all because I mainly shoot with the 105mm attached to the LEE filter holder, if I use a CPL.

Hello Robert,

For professional setups at 36MP or higher, you can't use CPLs in front of slot-loading filters. It kills sharpness.

The optical thickness must be thin, and the distance to front lens element needs to be close for resolving power to be high.

The correct order to easily achieve critical sharpness:

LENS > CPL > ADAPTER RING > HOLDER > GND

Graham

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

Anyone see these tests?
http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

I wished they did a ND test but in the end based off of some of their results I ended up buying the Hoya Pro1 Digital MC NDx8 and NDx32 which honestly I can't stand. I use them full time shooting commercial and weddings and always come home hating the color. It's more then a WB issue. These filters ruin the color look and I can't really repair it in post.
Then based off of the PL results I went with the Marumi DHG Super Circular PLD which I don't use that often but I'm pretty happy with the results and very clear it seems.

However I think I need to give these "Breakthrough's" a try. I remember seeing the ND's a while ago and just thought "just another filter claim." I guess for the price of this PL I should just try them out. I really need to do something about my ND's.

Yea, i've emailed them asking them to test the X3 ND filters compared to others, but no response yet...

This is an excellent objective and technical review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/10-Stop-Neutral-Density-Filter.aspx

Graham

 

[ahsanford]

For professional setups at 36MP or higher, you can't use CPLs in front of slot-loading filters. It kills sharpness.

The optical thickness must be thin, and the distance to front lens element needs to be close for resolving power to be high.

The correct order to easily achieve critical sharpness:

LENS > CPL > ADAPTER RING > HOLDER > GND

Graham

So Joe Cornish has been doing it wrong all these years?

He uses the Lee 100mm and SW150 setups with CPLs in front of his slot loaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN1Q31jSfQ8

There are two vital reasons to do it this way:

• It principally de-couples CPL rotation from ND grad rotation. This is super handy you don't want to have to reposition your ND grad every time you change your polarization (or vice versa).
  
  
• Stacking the CPL behind the adapter ring effectively makes the filter ring nearest the front element 'taller', which will cause you to (mechanically) vignette 'sooner' on UWA focal lengths. That's why most folks I've seen (myself included) tend to get the CPL out of that thickness stack by puttting a massive (105mm or greater) CPL in front of the filter stack.

But sharpness is obviously important so I find your claim fascinating. Has anyone published anything on this, run a head to head comparison, etc.? I'd like to read more about that, thx.

- A

 

[HighLowISO]

No idea how this remotely qualifies as a Canon Rumor, but beside the early problems with availability of their ND filters their reputation is still intact. Tests I've seen so far do show the ND filters meet their claims which means they perform better than the competition. Long term tests are not really available, but not expecting any issues with the ND filters.

I had hopped they would be more price breakthrough oriented rather than just competitive with the rest of the industry which are price gougers. With them being a small company maybe they are less guilty than the big players, but they get their financing for free From Kickstarter so it's hard to say. Still the bottom line seems to be they make great filters and of course we all want those which is why we pay the price.

The 77mm ones for $50 off are sold out according to Kickstarter, but there is still a $40 off deal. They way exceeded their funding goal so that may affect the delivery schedule like the last time, but with more experience now this time should be smoother.

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

For professional setups at 36MP or higher, you can't use CPLs in front of slot-loading filters. It kills sharpness.

The optical thickness must be thin, and the distance to front lens element needs to be close for resolving power to be high.

The correct order to easily achieve critical sharpness:

LENS > CPL > ADAPTER RING > HOLDER > GND

Graham

So Joe Cornish has been doing it wrong all these years?

He uses the Lee 100mm and SW150 setups with CPLs in front of his slot loaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN1Q31jSfQ8

There are two vital reasons to do it this way:

• It principally de-couples CPL rotation from ND grad rotation. This is super handy you don't want to have to reposition your ND grad every time you change your polarization (or vice versa).
  
  
• Stacking the CPL behind the adapter ring effectively makes the filter ring nearest the front element 'taller', which will cause you to (mechanically) vignette 'sooner' on UWA focal lengths. That's why most folks I've seen (myself included) tend to get the CPL out of that thickness stack by puttting a massive (105mm or greater) CPL in front of the filter stack.

But sharpness is obviously important so I find your claim fascinating. Has anyone published anything on this, run a head to head comparison, etc.? I'd like to read more about that, thx.

- A

If he shot on 36MP+ sensors with the best glass, then yes, but he hasn't because the advent of ultra-high resolution sensors is a recent advance.

36MP+ with best glass, never use thick filters that sit far away from front lens element, otherwise images will suck.

For an example of this click the below link and view the Lee Big Stopper vs X3 ND, look for sharpness, ignore blue color cast and 2-3 stops darker exposure:

http://breakthrough.photography/performance-gallery

Graham

 

[grahamclarkphoto]

No idea how this remotely qualifies as a Canon Rumor, but beside the early problems with availability of their ND filters their reputation is still intact. Tests I've seen so far do show the ND filters meet their claims which means they perform better than the competition. Long term tests are not really available, but not expecting any issues with the ND filters.

I had hopped they would be more price breakthrough oriented rather than just competitive with the rest of the industry which are price gougers. With them being a small company maybe they are less guilty than the big players, but they get their financing for free From Kickstarter so it's hard to say. Still the bottom line seems to be they make great filters and of course we all want those which is why we pay the price.

The 77mm ones for $50 off are sold out according to Kickstarter, but there is still a $40 off deal. They way exceeded their funding goal so that may affect the delivery schedule like the last time, but with more experience now this time should be smoother.

Actually we only consider Singh-Ray to be competition for our X3 ND, and they sell theirs for $380. We had hoped photographers would also think that $179 was a breakthrough as well

We'd love to make them less expensive, but our manufacturing costs are at least 5x or greater compared to our competitors cost.

Graham