Thin Circular Polariser

[thaddeus]

Hi all,

I bought a Tokina 12-24 through Birdy (Thanks Birddog!) and took it out on a test run yesterday. The lens went well but the CPL I bought for it (not through Birddog because he didn't have any) has a rim that is so thick that it causes vignetting.

Here's an example:


Can anyone recommend a really thin 77mm CPL which would minimise, if not solve, this problem? Thanks!

[johndec]

Hmm.. Same lens, same CPL (Hoya?), same problem

Seems to disappear at about 14mm, but I want a 12-24 not a 14-24, so looks like I'm up for a new, probably expensive, filter....

[Onyx]

Have you thought about a step-up ring with larger diameter filter?!
Thin UV filters are 3-4 times as much as "regular" ones, and by extrapolation if thin CPLs exist they may cost 3-4 times as much as regular CPLs too.

[birddog114]

There're many options as Hoya, B&W thin CPL filter 3mm and their cost are around 1/3 of the value of the lens.
I do have those and use them for myself. Qualities are big difference than the standard Hoya or any other brand of filters

[Jeko70]

Can anyone recommend a really thin 77mm CPL which would minimise, if not solve, this problem? Thanks!

Are you ready to spend $169?

If yes....
Hoya Super Pro1 Thin Circular Polarizer!
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/filters.htm

Check it out why.
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008L7z&tag=

Fab

Take it easy

[radar]

Hi Thaddeus,

I also have the same lens, same filter(probably) - same problem.

Hoya make a 5mm Super HMC and 3mm Ultra Series CPL.

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/coatings.html

In the end, I decided that these were too expensive for me, close to half price of the Tokina. A quick look at filtershop.com.au and the 77mm Ultra sells for $280.

Something I'll learn to "live" with for now.

Cheers,

Andre

[Heath Bennett]

I have the super slim HOYA. When I use it on the 12-24 DX it is perfect - I realise the normal one is almost undetectable, but I actually bought this one first, tested it, and found it noticeable enough to go to the Ultra variety. If you don't mind cloning out the edges of each shot, the standard is fine though.

Thaddeus, if you don't have a thin one by the time of the chopper flight you can give mine a try.

[radar]

Fab just managed to post before me, he found a very good price on the Super Pro.

Note that you should test it first, as 5mm may not be thin enough, you may need the Ultra version of the filter, which is 3mm. Also, you will need to use a different lens cap as the filter being thin, it doesn't allow the regular lens cap to fit on it. Hoya supplies a lens cap I think.

If you do get either one of those filters, let us know how it goes, on this thread, certainly would be interested in finding out.

Cheers,

Andre
Edit: got to be quick on these forums, everybody gets in before I submit

[Jeko70]

Hi Thaddeus,

I also have the same lens, same filter(probably) - same problem.

Hoya make a 5mm Super HMC and 3mm Ultra Series CPL.

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/coatings.html

In the end, I decided that these were too expensive for me, close to half price of the Tokina. A quick look at filtershop.com.au and the 77mm Ultra sells for $280.

Something I'll learn to "live" with for now.

Cheers,

Andre

Why spend 280aud when you can pay it 169aud and if you have a 17-35, 28-70 or 70-200 you can use it on them, so better 169 bucks then nothing!

For 169 got the 3mm.
Downside or difficulties to use it.... too thin for big or rough fingers...

Fab

[MCWB]

This may be a really obvious point, but here goes... do you *need* a CP? Have you tried without one? Not having one is significantly cheaper, and with such wide focal lengths, the colour saturation from the CP often varies across the field of view.

[thaddeus]

Thanks for your assistance!

MCWB, fair question, yes, I need a CPL because I plan to use that lens for aerial photography where I am often shooting through a perspex window. It's amazing how much reflection CPLs cut out in that situation. The bubble is round so you get lots of reflections of peoples shoes, shirts, etc.

Jecko70, $169 sounds good, but I'm a bit confused about the thickness: the Discount Digital Photographics site says that this is a "Super Pro 1 Circular Polariser" which is 5mm, not 3mm.

Has anyone tried the 5mm as as wide as 12mm?

Thanks

[Jeko70]

This may be a really obvious point, but here goes... do you *need* a CP? Have you tried without one? Not having one is significantly cheaper, and with such wide focal lengths, the colour saturation from the CP often varies across the field of view.

You are right!More then right!
Using a wide angle lens you have to consider (also) high risks of flares, ghosts etc.....

If use CPL to make darker sky, you can solve problem, without CPL, at least underexposing by 1/3 EV,
But if you want remove bad light reflexion...or you move around or you have to use it!

Example without CPL, just underexposing

[Jeko70]

Thanks for your assistance!

MCWB, fair question, yes, I need a CPL because I plan to use that lens for aerial photography where I am often shooting through a perspex window. It's amazing how much reflection CPLs cut out in that situation. The bubble is round so you get lots of reflections of peoples shoes, shirts, etc.

Jecko70, $169 sounds good, but I'm a bit confused about the thickness: the Discount Digital Photographics site says that this is a "Super Pro 1 Circular Polariser" which is 5mm, not 3mm.

Has anyone tried the 5mm as as wide as 12mm?

Thanks

My apology, wrong information!

Sorry you are right, got two.
The Super Pro1 is 5mm and cost $169
The Ultra is 3mm but bought in Italy, I don't remember price....

Using always 3mm and so.....


Fab

[johndec]

This may be a really obvious point, but here goes... do you *need* a CP? Have you tried without one? Not having one is significantly cheaper, and with such wide focal lengths, the colour saturation from the CP often varies across the field of view.

Sometimes that is a desirable effect.

[fozzie]

You may want to consider this product from B+W and handled in Australia by:

Mainline Photographics
(2nd floor)
213/68 Alexander Street
Crows Nest NSW 2065

http://www.mainlinephoto.com.au/webcontent9.htm

[birddog114]

MCWB,
Yes, CPL is mostly my needs and my favourite on/ with the WA lens, can't live without it.
Perhaps you get used with the Sigma 12-24 and don't notice what a CPL giving you on the WA lens and landscape.

Jeko70,
Glad to know, you had corrected it!
If the Hoya Super Pro 3mm CPL filter is at $169.00 I'll buy 10 from you!
I have the super Pro ultra thin 3mm Hoya, it comes with its own cap, stock cap can't use on it.
I also have a B&W 3mm CPL and it cost more than 1/2 price of the Tokina

[thaddeus]

Thanks for all your advice. I returned the CPL for a full refund and will order a 3mm CPL from filtershop.com.au when they reopen on 16 January

[sirhc55]

Sorry guys but science is the culprit with ultra wide angle lenses and the dreaded darkening in one or another corner. The light, because of wide dispersion, cannot be evenly polarised unless you are extremely lucky.

You may get better results with a linear polariser and use manual focus.

All of the rest is advertising crap