I'm in the market for a 77mm CPL, and the ones I'm looking at are the B+W MRC, Nikon, Kenko Zeta, and Hoya HD. All of these are high end multicoated filters, so will there be a noticeable performance difference between them? I should mention that a standard thickness CPL is fine for my needs.
I heard good things about Hoya HD, they're supposed to be unbreakable or something. If you're truly asking about the best, I know there are some super expensive ones like the Nano B+W line or some other German ones like Heliopan or Schneider. Marumi is supposed to be best bang for the buck.
There are many threads on the Hoya HDs "self-destructing" and just falling apart. Super strong glass doesn't do much good if it falls out of it's ring. I had one for a few months only and no problems and then sold it to change sizes, so no personal experience to back this, just much to find about it on google.
Nikon CPL II has served me well. Only worthwhile improvement I see is getting a B+W Kaesemann for the weather sealing it provides (won't let moisture in between the two pieces of glass)
Which Marumi in particular? I see that there is a DHG version for around $65 in 77mm size, and a Super DHG for about $100 in 77mm. Is there a big difference between the two?
996gt2 wrote:
Which Marumi in particular? I see that there is a DHG version for around $65 in 77mm size, and a Super DHG for about $100 in 77mm. Is there a big difference between the two?
To me, there's not a huge difference between the two. The biggest difference is probably that Super DHG is thin mount to avoid vignetting, while DHG is normal thickness. I picked DHG just so I can use a lens cap on it much easier.
I use the Hoya HD clear filters and they're excellent. Never tried one of their HD cpl's. Found the Marumi Super DHG cpl filters to be very good; can't fault them. You can buy them on ebay from Hong Kong and save quite a lot.
I like the B+W filters because of the excellent glass and the fact that they have brass rings so they are much less prone to getting the threads stuck on your lens. I just bought a "B+W 77mm XS-Pro Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating" from Amazon for $160.00. Moisture really does bead up on it and it is very easy to clean.
Two23 wrote:
I bought the DHG in 77mm. I am a "heavy" polarizer user, and have owned Hoya SMC, B+W mrc, and Heliopan. The Marumi is as good as any of them.
Kent in SD
Totally agree. Great filters for the money. I spent gobs of damn money on 2 B+W Nano filters. I think they are dust magnets and I totally disagree they are easy to clean. Never buying another one.
