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05/12/2008 03:48:52 AM · #1 |
Hi there I have a Canon EOS 400d and 2 lenses at present Canon EFS - 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 and Canon EF 75-300 f4.0-5.6 USM III and would be grateful if someone could advise me the best polarizing lens to buy.
Kind regards,
Brian.
** Moderator can you please move to the hardware / software section **
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 04:19:49. |
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05/12/2008 06:11:21 AM · #2 |
you get what you pay for generally. I've used the Bayer cheapo ones and the Hoya cheapo ones and they work, but the results aren't as smooth as the pricier ones. They tend to band the sky instead of smooth gradations between tonal changes.
Basically, get the best you can afford. I've heard great things about the B+W ones but I always use HOYA HMC filters. Get them from eBay and they're around half price.
There is the Cokin system which is also widely touted, but having no personal experience with it, i can't give you any feedback apart from it seems quite popular.
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05/12/2008 06:20:39 AM · #3 |
OK so someone else types faster than me. :)
You need to get a circular polariser, not a linear one, so that your autofocus will continue to work properly.
The are several good filter brands such as Hoya, B+W, Schneider, possibly Tiffen. You're much better off spending a bit extra to get a good brand rather than a cheap one. Make sure that whatever filter you get is multi-coated. Some brands might also make a filter that is thinner (3mm rather than the standard 5mm) which is less likely to cause vignetting (darkening in the corners) on wide-angle shots.
As far as I can tell, both of your lenses have the same filter diameter, 58mm - which means you could share a polariser between them. If you are planning to buy other lenses in the future that have a different filter diameter, then an alternative is the Cokin P system, where you buy a single square polarising filter, one filter holder that it fits into, and then an adaptor ring for each lens diameter you use. This is especially cost-effective if you plan to buy multiple filters (e.g. soft focus filters, spot filters, graduated filters). This is what I use myself, but partially because I have multiple lenses with different diameters, and also LOTS of filters (I got them back when I was shooting slide and B&W film, so contrast and colour-correction filters were very helpful).
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 06:24:54. |
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05/12/2008 07:55:30 AM · #4 |
Thanks for the advice, I've had a quick look for the Cokin filters, I'm curious to know how you can tell the filter diameter would be 58mm ? this is one reason I haven't bought filters from the web yet as I don't know the correct size,
I also like the idea from paddles about the single square filter with the adaptor ring,, that sounds like what I need just now until I get confident with my camera.
If anyone is happy to suggest any weblinks for the above here in the UK I would be very grateful so I can cost compare and read up before I buy,,,
Thank you very much for all your help so far,
Brian. |
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05/12/2008 09:33:58 AM · #5 |
I've read good things about Marumi brand filters, if your looking for a something moderately priced.
Order one in the size to fit your largest diameter lens, then an adapter ring for the smaller diameter. :) |
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05/12/2008 10:03:13 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by scottishdragon:
I'm curious to know how you can tell the filter diameter would be 58mm ? |
Look on the end of the lens - it is printed there. You should see a small symbol looks like a circle with a vertical line through it and then a number. In your case it will say 58mm which is the size filter for the lens.
[thumb]678124[/thumb]
View image - number circled in red.
Message edited by author 2008-05-12 10:07:28. |
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05/13/2008 04:49:39 AM · #7 |
Thanks CEJ, I knew it would be simple to find out just didn't know where to look.
I've decided to buy the Cokin S164 polarising lens having spent a long time researching on the net, I was very tempted by the P series kit but I think that would be me running before I learn to walk. Once I get more comfortable using my camera and get some experience under my belt I'll probably buy one of the Cokin P series kits.
Many thanks for all your help greatly appreciated and learned quite a bit about filters from this,
Kind regards,
Brian.... |
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05/13/2008 06:24:39 AM · #8 |
You'll need the P series for the better L lenses since they have bigger filter threads. most Canon L lenses use a 77mm thread, which I think is too big for the cokin series you've selected.
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