FZ50 & polarizers - it is too confusing!

[kris78]

Please help me....I am so confused!!!

I read all the threads about circular and linear polarizers for the fz50. I am not a professional so I don't want to spend a fortune on these filters now. Some people mentioned that multi-coated linear polarizers are the way to go, but I can't find any multi-coated linears on-line. I did see 1, which was 2x the price of a MC-CPL! Overall, it seems like the MC-PL bring me closer to the $60-100 price range (this is out of my price range at this stage).

Also, since I just got my fz50, is it better to get a filter kit instead? Some of these are quite reasonably priced ($25) and include a UV, circular-PL, and color warming filters, such as:

http://www.amazon.com/Tiffen-55mm-Photo-Essentials-Filter/dp/B00004ZCKY/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8234908-7689740?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1182435992&sr=1-1

Is there a real perceivable difference in image quality when using a hoya/b+w vs. other brands such as tiffen?

Thanks.

 

[rob kerfoot]

Please help me....I am so confused!!!
I read all the threads about circular and linear polarizers for the
fz50. I am not a professional so I don't want to spend a fortune on
these filters now. Some people mentioned that multi-coated linear
polarizers are the way to go, but I can't find any multi-coated
linears on-line. I did see 1, which was 2x the price of a MC-CPL!
Overall, it seems like the MC-PL bring me closer to the $60-100
price range (this is out of my price range at this stage).

Also, since I just got my fz50, is it better to get a filter kit
instead? Some of these are quite reasonably priced ($25) and
include a UV, circular-PL, and color warming filters, such as:

http://www.amazon.com/Tiffen-55mm-Photo-Essentials-Filter/dp/B00004ZCKY/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8234908-7689740?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1182435992&sr=1-1
Is there a real perceivable difference in image quality when using
a hoya/b+w vs. other brands such as tiffen?

Thanks.

The main differences in the filters is two fold:
A: Quality of the glass
B: Multi coatings

My advice, buy from http://www.2filter.com and grab a Hoya multi-coated filter, I own a circular polarizer by them, I paid about $40 bucks for it, and I have always used a UV filter for protection of the front lens element.

A bunch of years back I bought filters that were 58mm, so for a few bucks I grabbed a step down ring and now can use the filters on my FZ50. You will see manyl posts regarding polarizers here, I personally own circular polarizers, and always have (from my film SLR days), I feel the results and ease of use of a circular polarizer make this a good filter for me. The biggest thing is to get a multi-coated filter, you will get the best results from that type of filter. Hope this helps, I am sure we will see more posts to help guide you in your decision.
Rob

 

[genece]

I have a linear that is not MC and a circular that is.......I can see no difference in the way they operate or the result each provides.....

I would get a MC UV filter and a either polarizer that fits your budget from
2filters
--
------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

 

[MacroFocus]

Neither glass quality nor coatings is the difference between a circular and a linear polerizing filters. The differences require a fair bit of optical physics that I will not pretend to understand fully.

The difference is really only relevant if you are using a camera with beam splitting technology, which the Panasonic line does not. A beam splitter REQUIRES a circular polarizer. On our Panasonics, a linear polorarizer and a circular polarizer will work equally well. It is largely a matter of personal preference. I use a linear beacuse I had one from my film days that worked perfectly.

As far as buiying a kit, that is totally up to you. I would say for my money I would not spend too much on color changing filters such as warming filters as this is easliy handled with white balance and post processing. I would spend my budget on the best quality polarizer and possibly UV filter. If you really want some toys, a star filter is one effect I have had difficulty creating well in post processing. Most others are a waste of money, IMHO.

Cheers,

Tony
--



Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. --Vernon Law

Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/macrofocus/sets/

 

[rob kerfoot]

Neither glass quality nor coatings is the difference between a
circular and a linear polerizing filters. The differences require
a fair bit of optical physics that I will not pretend to understand
fully.

never said the difference was in the polarizer or linear, I said the quality of the glass and coatings in ANY filter makes the difference.
just to clarify, Tony

 

[rob kerfoot]

Neither glass quality nor coatings is the difference between a
circular and a linear polerizing filters. The differences require
a fair bit of optical physics that I will not pretend to understand
fully.

never said the difference was in the polarizer or linear, I said
the quality of the glass and coatings in ANY filter makes the
difference.
just to clarify, Tony

My original post should have said difference in filter quality, not diff in filters...my bad! Sorry for any confusion, meant no disrespect.
Rob

 

[GregGory]

I have a linear that is not MC and a circular that is.......I can
see no difference in the way they operate or the result each
provides.....

I've read somewhere the difference in the coatings doesn't affect the output, but the loss of light. I cannot confirm this myself, but I do believe it's a something to note especially for UV filters. A cheap non-coated UV filter can 'cost' as much as 1/3 stop.

I would get a MC UV filter and a either polarizer that fits your
budget from
2filters

I bought a used linear B+W pol filter which I'm fond of, but if you do buy used filters on Ebay, make sure you get it from a reputable reseller who categorizes the products, eg. A+, B-

gl

 

[tko]

http://www.2filter.com/prices/specials.html

Both of the bottom filters are excellent. If you feel comfortable and knowledgeable you can get even better deals on Ebay (I buy all my flters on Ebay, and I've never been shafted as far as I can tell) If you just want to try one out you can get a bottom of the line Hoya for $15.

A tip - buy Hoya, and look at the color of the case. Green case = lowest quality, blue/purple = decent quality, HMC or SMC branded = best quality

Hoya SMC 55mm Circular Polarizer SMC55CPL $36.11
Hoya HMC 55mm Circular Polarizer HMC55CPL $43.32

 

[Tom McCarty]

an engineer told me some of the higher end filters, heliopan for example, have layers that can offset the beam split... it is so hard to figure out why a 3 f stop penalty is worth it for most shots.
MC is the most important on filters and lens

The L1 for example has threads that can bind.. so I read.. an the brass heliopan over alum/plastic is preferred.

--
Tom in Yorba Linda

 

[kris78]

Thanks everyone for the tips. So far, I havent' found any multicoated linear PL. So it seems like a circular multicoated polarizer is the way to go. Any suggestions for a good, affordable UV filter?

 

[MusicDoctorDJ]

You've got that nice Leica lens . . . and you want to put a cheap filter on it?

Get the Hoya 55mm Digital Circular Polarizer filter for your camera (around $60).

I used a standard Hoya MC CP previously to getting the digital filter, and there is a big difference in quality between them.

The MC (multi coated) filters have a coating designed for film . . . and the digital filter, of course, has a different coating specific to digital cameras.

Digital cameras see blue differently than film does . . . and generally, it is blue (the sky) that most people are using a CP filter for!

With the MC CP filter, I used to get strange blue splotches in the sky . . .

Since I got the digital CP . . . I have not once gotten those wierd splotches again.

Also, the Hoya digital filters are wafer thin, which reduces vignetting in the corners of your pics!

Especially if you start stacking filters . . .

--
J. Daniels
Colorful Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!

 

[kitsap charly]

My friend and I both use Hoya Pro 1 Digital polarizers as well as UV filters. These are intended specifically for digital cameras only and are really good. I'd stay away from cheap filters including the "budget" models from leading companies. The Leica lenses lenses on these Pannies are really terrific and a second rate lens can degrade the image. Especially stay away from the cheap bargains. Wait and save up money.

 

[Les Lammers]

You get what you pay for. Don't skimp on the filters. If you do you will be posting about less than satisfactory photos and wasting a lot of time trying to 'fix' them.

 

[Eddy Vortex]

I bought a Cokin set, 1 UV, 1 circ Polarizer. and I'm very happy with them. I used a linear polarizer with my C2100 and was just as happy with that. I wouldn't spend a lot at this project. Eddy

--
My motto: Photographers should be seen and not heard.
FZ50, UZI, B-300

 

[kris78]

You've got that nice Leica lens . . . and you want to put a cheap
filter on it?

Get the Hoya 55mm Digital Circular Polarizer filter for your camera
(around $60).

I used a standard Hoya MC CP previously to getting the digital
filter, and there is a big difference in quality between them.

The MC (multi coated) filters have a coating designed for film . .
. and the digital filter, of course, has a different coating
specific to digital cameras.

Digital cameras see blue differently than film does . . . and
generally, it is blue (the sky) that most people are using a CP
filter for!

With the MC CP filter, I used to get strange blue splotches in the
sky . . .

Since I got the digital CP . . . I have not once gotten those wierd
splotches again.

Also, the Hoya digital filters are wafer thin, which reduces
vignetting in the corners of your pics!

Especially if you start stacking filters . . .

--
J. Daniels
Colorful Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!

Hey thanks. I didn't realize that there was that much of a difference between film and the digital PL filter. Do you know if the Hoya Super HMC PL filter would still give me this same problem? I hear that this is a decent PL filter to start off with. Any thoughts?

 

[MusicDoctorDJ]

The circular polarizer is one of the most expensive filters you can buy.

Might as well just get the digital filter to start off with . . .

You'll save money in the long run buy not having to buy two of them.

--
J. Daniels
Colorful Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator
Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!

 

[dontfret]

I'm using the following uncoated linear polarizer on my FZ50:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/241661511msk.htm?bct=t13031003%3Bcidigital-cameras-and-accessories%3Bcifilters%3Bcifilters-round

Quantaray is Ritz' house branding for Hoya filters, and they offer all the Hoya quality grades as well. I have never had any problem with either polarizer effect (excellent - linear are slightly more effective than polarizer) or reflections - I always use a hood, ESPECIALLY in the kind of environment where I'd use a polarizer (sunshiny day shooting water, sky landscapes, etc). I can post pics if you'd like examples, but IMHO i feel it is more than adequate.

--
-- Rich
'Be a non-anxious presence in an anxious system'