Hama 55mm CP

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yorkshireflatcap

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John
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I'm looking at purchasing my first circular polarizer for my Alpha 350 and I found this little gem.

I've recently read quite a bit about polarizers - linear and circular - but I need some buying advice on getting a decent CP that are reliable.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.
 
The polarising effect is probably okay, but it's not coated (could cause flare) and may not be very high optical quality. Also, the mount is quite deep and might vignette with a super-wide.

I wouldn't buy it, but then I'm fussy and at that price you can hardly go wrong and it might just be fine for you.
 
HoppyUK said:
I wouldn't buy it, but then I'm fussy and at that price you can hardly go wrong and it might just be fine for you.
Click to expand...

So what would you recommend?
What are the qualities one should look for in buying a CP?
How can you tell from an OK CP and a must buy?

Cheers

John
 
yorkshireflatcap said:
So what would you recommend?
What are the qualities one should look for in buying a CP?
How can you tell from an OK CP and a must buy?

Cheers

John
Click to expand...

A quality filter will be coated glass, and preferably multi coated. It will almost certainly say so on the box. And if they have bothered to coat it, it's probably safe to say that the glass is good too, and perfectly flat both sides. You can check that by holding it up against a binocular and moving it as you look through. Coated filters show a light blue reflection off the surface, and multi coated are greenish, compared to white off plain glass. Very easy to see if you have two side by side in a shop. Some polarisers are only coated on the back surface, but that's the most important side. Acrylic filters are usually not coated, and often not perfectly flat either.

Hoya is the best brand IMHO, and best value, generally available. B+W are also good and quite popular, but slightly more. You tend to get what you pay for. Good prices on Amazon.

I would get a multi-coated one. Like a Hoya Pro1 or Hoya HD, but they are a lot more money than that Hama for £17 which is why I say for that money you can't really lose, and it may suit you. But if you want a guaranteed top grade filter that will last you forever, get one of those Hoyas I mentioned :)

Edit: the best filters also come in a slim-line mount which is thinner than standard, which stops them getting in the picture with super-wide lenses, darkening the corners called vignetting.
 
Many thanks Hoppy for your advice, it is greatly appreciated and which I will take on board.

Regards

John
 
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