Is bigger better?

[Mentalblock]

I'm wondering if I should buy a polarising filter bigger than my current lenses need, just to make it future proof.

My 52mm polariser from my bridge days fits my Sigma 70-300, but my 67mm diameter 18-105 kit lens is without a polariser and I use this lens more often!

The next lens I plan on buying is the Nikon 50mm f1.8 (hopefully in a month or two) and after that (at least a year, unless I get a wind fall somewhere!) will be a bit more reach to 500mm, which I think would have a lens diameter of 86mm (I'm not sure if the diameters change much for the various 500mm lens that are available).

So, do I get an 86mm polariser and the various stepping rings for the kit, prime and future telephoto lens, or do I get a 67mm that will suit my kit lens and the prime?

I'm not even sure if I'd need a polariser for the bigger lens, which I'd be buying to try out some wildlife shots.

Any comments would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Moreorless]

Personally I'd just get a 67mm one, about 1/3rd the price and alot less hassel.

 

[Han5y]

Buy some cheap CPL-filters from ebay. Buyed all of mine from ebay for aboud 10$ and they works perfectly fine

 

[Mentalblock]

Personally I'd just get a 67mm one, about 1/3rd the price and alot less hassel.

Buy some cheap CPL-filters from ebay. Buyed all of mine from ebay for aboud 10$ and they works perfectly fine

Thanks for the comments.
The cost is a big factor, but I don't want to have to buy again in the future for future lenses. However, I suspect it will be more like two years before I can get something like a 150-500mm!

 

[Han5y]

Yeah, ofcoure the cost is a big factor, but if i would you i would try to buy from this shop: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/szkacha/m.html?_nkw=cpl&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313

I have buyes my 52, 55, and 72mm cpl and uv-filter from that store, and i cannot see the difference from more expensive UV og CPL filter. The build quality is also very good, solid og easy to rotate. Also, fast shipment and excelent products

If you buy 3 CPL filters for a total of almost 10£, and they suck, throw them away or give them to someone. If you like them, you have saved alot of money.

 

[Moreorless]

Thanks for the comments.
The cost is a big factor, but I don't want to have to buy again in the future for future lenses. However, I suspect it will be more like two years before I can get something like a 150-500mm!

If you were talking a 72mm or 77mm filter then I could see it being worthwhile but an 86mm polarizer is going to be both very expensive(if its a decent one anyway) and I'd imagine rather unwieldy on a 67mm filter camera.

Plus of course any stepdown ring is going to make it impossible to use a hood.

 

[Davec223]

I have a 105mm cpl that I use on all my lenses when needed with my lee filter holder.

This is the way I went, although I can understand that this would not be everyone's choice.

 

[Mentalblock]

Yeah, ofcoure the cost is a big factor, but if i would you i would try to buy from this shop: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/szkacha/m.html?_nkw=cpl&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313

I have buyes my 52, 55, and 72mm cpl and uv-filter from that store, and i cannot see the difference from more expensive UV og CPL filter. The build quality is also very good, solid og easy to rotate. Also, fast shipment and excelent products

If you buy 3 CPL filters for a total of almost 10£, and they suck, throw them away or give them to someone. If you like them, you have saved alot of money.

I'll check that store out, thanks.

If you were talking a 72mm or 77mm filter then I could see it being worthwhile but an 86mm polarizer is going to be both very expensive(if its a decent one anyway) and I'd imagine rather unwieldy on a 67mm filter camera.

Plus of course any stepdown ring is going to make it impossible to use a hood.

How parctical is a hood with a CPL, I guess I'd have to leave the hood off until I'd set the CPL. It's something I'd not thought about thought.

As for the 72/ 77mm CPL, I'd go that size, but I'm not sure what lens I'd end up with in the future; is there a typical lens diameter for a 500mm lens? I image it can vary a bit.

I have a 105mm cpl that I use on all my lenses when needed with my lee filter holder.

This is the way I went, although I can understand that this would not be everyone's choice.

I'm thinking the driving fator will be cost at the moment.
I want the nifty 50, so the more I spend on the CPL, the longer I'll have to wait for that!

Thanks for all your comments, it's been a help