New CPL filter

[Timberland]

For years I have owned a Kenko CPL which is quite nice. Unfortunately during my many trips it got dirty many times. It seems almost impossible to clean and my photos are less sharp than before when I use the filter.

I would like to buy a new CPL filter and I'm looking at the B&W options.
There is the 77MM XS-PRO KSM C POL MRC-NANO (66-1066400) and the 77MM KAESEMANN CIRC POL MRC (66-045620). Both look like good options. Except that I'm not able to find what the differences are.
Yes, the xspro version is thinner (and supposedly easier to clean). Does anyone have any real world experience with these CPL filters?

Thanks!

Tim

 

[Lemming51]

Timberland wrote:

For years I have owned a Kenko CPL which is quite nice. Unfortunately during my many trips it got dirty many times. It seems almost impossible to clean and my photos are less sharp than before when I use the filter.

I would like to buy a new CPL filter and I'm looking at the B&W options.
There is the 77MM XS-PRO KSM C POL MRC-NANO (66-1066400) and the 77MM KAESEMANN CIRC POL MRC (66-045620). Both look like good options. Except that I'm not able to find what the differences are. Yes, the xspro version is thinner (and supposedly easier to clean). Does anyone have any real world experience with these CPL filters?

No 1st hand experience (I went with Hoya HD myself), just what I read at:

XS-Pro MRC-Nano @ B+W site

(F-Pro) MRC @ B+W site

Same findings as you: MRC multicoatings have reputation of easy non-streak cleaning, new MRC-Nano is latest improved version. Both are "thin" mount with front threads, the XS-Pro mount is a little thinner.

 

[bhollis]

Timberland wrote:

For years I have owned a Kenko CPL which is quite nice. Unfortunately during my many trips it got dirty many times. It seems almost impossible to clean and my photos are less sharp than before when I use the filter.

I would like to buy a new CPL filter and I'm looking at the B&W options.
There is the 77MM XS-PRO KSM C POL MRC-NANO (66-1066400) and the 77MM KAESEMANN CIRC POL MRC (66-045620). Both look like good options. Except that I'm not able to find what the differences are.
Yes, the xspro version is thinner (and supposedly easier to clean). Does anyone have any real world experience with these CPL filters?

I doubt you can go wrong with any of the B+W CPL filters. But you might also want to consider the Marumi DHG Super. Gets very good reviews, and significantly less expensive than the B+W.

http://www.lenstip.com/115.24-artic...st_Marumi_DHG_Super_Circular_P.L.D_72_mm.html

 

[Chris ™]

Timberland wrote:

I would like to buy a new CPL filter and I'm looking at the B&W options.

Good choice ... I use B&W filters exclusively since more than 10 years.

Check out their catalog for details:

https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/filters/WorldOfFilters.pdf

 

[Timberland]

Thanks.

Can you still use the Canon lens caps with the XSPRO series?

If no, I don't really care for the XSPRO.

Thanks.

Tim

 

[Chris ™]

XSPRO is ultra slim design, so it might cause problems with the lens cap.

I use a standard size UV of B&W on my 17-40 with the 6D and have no vignetting. So I guess, it's also no problem with a pol.

I only have a B&W pol in 58mm, which fits my 50/1.4 ... gotta test that, but that is no comparison really to WA.

But the pol is not much thicker as the UV, so I guess slim is not needed, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Chris ™]

On which lens do you want to use the polarizer?

I did some infrared tests with the 28-135IS and the 6D. I stacked the Hoya R72 on top of the B&W UV010 and had no vignetting issues at 28mm.

So my guess ... no slim CPL needed for most lenses.

 

[Timberland]

Chris ™ wrote:

On which lens do you want to use the polarizer?

I did some infrared tests with the 28-135IS and the 6D. I stacked the Hoya R72 on top of the B&W UV010 and had no vignetting issues at 28mm.

So my guess ... no slim CPL needed for most lenses.

 

[Chris ™]

Then normal thickness filters should be fine, as been reported for the 17-40 here:

http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/canon_ef17-40usm.htm

 

[gavin]

Kasemann version is sealed against moisture I think. i use the regular version and its works fine

 

[Chris ™]

gavin wrote:

Kasemann version is sealed ...

This is not the only difference. The Kaesemann also has a more intense effect. I also have the standard B&W polarizer, because it has a more neutral effect ... in most cases you don't see at first sight, that a pol was used.