What's best polarizing filter brand in 2023?

[stillviking]

Hello,

Looking for the best (that does not worsen the image quality of lens!) polarizing filter to buy for my Canon RF 15-35 2.8. I'm out for market for some years, so, can you please help me what's best brand/model nowadays?

Thank you so much!

 

[Click]

The B+W Circular Polarizer Slim would be my choice.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/133013-REG/B_W_65016931.html​

 

[danfaz]

I like Polarpro and Breakthrough Photography filters:

Circular Polarizer Filter

A circular polarizer filter is a landscape photographer's most sought-after camera accessory as it helps bring contrast and vivid, natural saturation to a photograph. Normally, a CP is used for landscape compositions featuring water, snow, ice, blue skies, and foliage as it can help darken the...

www.polarpro.com

X4 CPL

Introducing the world’s most advanced circular polarizer. The moment you use the X4 CPL, you know you’ve never used anything like it. Featuring our all-new American made CPL film and an all-new brass traction frame features best-in-class design and durability. And that’s just the beginning...

breakthrough.photography

 

[neuroanatomist]

The B+W Circular Polarizer Slim would be my choice.

Agree on B+W. The one you link it outdated, though. Also, that one is the ‘regular’ CPL, and the Käsemann version is high transmission so it loses less light. Personally, I have the Käsemann slim CPL in 77mm and 82mm, bought both over a decade ago and they’re still going strong.

B+W dropped the Käsemann moniker when they changed their mount designations and now just call it high transmission (though their catalog still has Käsemann in the description).

The current version I’d get is:

B+W High-Transmission MRC-Nano Master Circular Polarizer Filter (82mm)

Buy B+W High-Transmission MRC-Nano Master Circular Polarizer Filter (82mm) featuring Circular Polarizer Filter, Helps Eliminate Reflections and Glare, Reduces Haze in Landscapes, Greater Color and Tonal Saturation, MRC Multiresistant Nano Coating, SCHOTT Optical Glass, Thin Brass Rotating Filter...

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[Click]

Thank you Neuro, the Käsemann (High Transmission) is the one I had in mind.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I like Polarpro and Breakthrough Photography filters:

Breakthrough filters get good reviews, but I would never buy from them. There were long delays (years) with their early efforts, many reports of poor customer service, and when their owner came to these forums to defend his company, he made an ass of himself.

 

[danfaz]

Breakthrough filters get good reviews, but I would never buy from them. There were long delays (years) with their early efforts, many reports of poor customer service, and when their owner came to these forums to defend his company, he made an ass of himself.

Oh, that's not good. I like the one filter I have from them. However, it was rather expensive (95mm for the 28-70, though) and came in a really cheap clear plastic case, whereas the Polarpro came with a very sturdy metallic case that was padded inside.

 

[stillviking]

I was told that a polarizer for the Canon RF 15-35 2.8 was not worth buying.

Many circular polarization filters manufacturers specifically produce filters with an extrathin frame, to reduce vignetting at wide angle (and more expensive too). Why would they do that, if using a polarizing filter with a wide angle results in a blob or unequal sky color?

They are not good for wideangle lens? I'm used to see amazing lake shoots I clearly thing they use a polarizer to the rocks on bottom.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I was told that a polarizer for the Canon RF 15-35 2.8 was not worth buying.

I was told the moon is made of green cheese. Perhaps not everything you’re told is true.

They are not good for wideangle lens? I'm used to see amazing lake shoots I clearly thing they use a polarizer to the rocks on bottom.

Ultrawide lenses will often show uneven polarization of the blue sky. Personally, I shoot many things that aren’t blue sky. Water, buildings, vehicles, basically anything with a reflection can sometimes benefit from a CPL, including on a UWA lens.

 

[stillviking]

What if we shoot on cloudy days, same problem happens? I never tried, sorry for question.

 

[neuroanatomist]

What if we shoot on cloudy days, same problem happens? I never tried, sorry for question.

Polarization needs ‘ordered’ light, direct sunlight, reflection off a surface, etc. A CPL is basically ineffective on diffuse light through overcast, at least as far as the sky goes.

This is 24mm with a CPL (and a 10-stop ND):

 

[AlanF]

Polarization needs ‘ordered’ light, direct sunlight, reflection off a surface, etc. A CPL is basically ineffective on diffuse light through overcast, at least as far as the sky goes.

This is 24mm with a CPL (and a 10-stop ND):
View attachment 208864

CPL = ChaPeL Bridge, Lucerne

 

[stillviking]

Thanks, I need a CPL for avoid glass and water reflection, so I think this always work (and in wideangle - real estate for example) in cloudy days?

 

[neuroanatomist]

Thanks, I need a CPL for avoid glass and water reflection, so I think this always work (and in wideangle - real estate for example) in cloudy days?

A CPL will reduce reflections in that situation, yes.