Polarising Filters, what do you know?

[mattyh]

Right, I've got various lenses, mostly 82 and 77mm diameter. If I get a polarising filter to fit the 82mm, can I use a stepping ring on the 77mm and still get a good effect?

The other option is to go for a Cokin square polariser, but I'm not sure what size the actual polariser is (when you take into account it's on an 85mm square filter)

How much do I need to spend to get a reasonably decent one? I don't want to spend mega amounts of money, as it won't get used that often, but there's no point buying a cheap one if it's no good!

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Cheers for your help!

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

I got one of these kits with has a circular polarizer that fits the cokin holder - i then got the fitting rings for each of the lens i have (about £5.00 each)

 

[reddeathdrinker]

Right, I've got various lenses, mostly 82 and 77mm diameter. If I get a polarising filter to fit the 82mm, can I use a stepping ring on the 77mm and still get a good effect?

Yes Saves a lot of cash - buy one decent 82mm CP filter, and some stepping rings. I bought an 82mm circular polariser for my 100-300mm lens, and use a 77-82mm stepping ring for my 10-20mm, and use 72-77mm/77-82mm rings to use it on my 28-75mm...

 

[Nod]

Right, I've got various lenses, mostly 82 and 77mm diameter. If I get a polarising filter to fit the 82mm, can I use a stepping ring on the 77mm and still get a good effect?

Yes.


The other option is to go for a Cokin square polariser, but I'm not sure what size the actual polariser is (when you take into account it's on an 85mm square filter)

Personally, I prefer round filters over square ones.

How much do I need to spend to get a reasonably decent one? I don't want to spend mega amounts of money, as it won't get used that often, but there's no point buying a cheap one if it's no good!

About £80 for a Hoya is a ballpark figure - you may be happy with the results from a cheaper one (try 7dayshop)

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Yes, for a DSLR and most AF/AE cameras, you'll need a CIRCULAR Polariser rather than a LINEAR one. That doesn't refer to the shape of the filter but the way it deals with the light - a Circ Pol has an extra layer that depolarises the light after polarising it so AF and AE still work properly (VERY simplified explaination!). The effect of a polariser on wide angle lenses can be uneven, especially on skies.