I'd prefer the slim design because it will see use with my 10-20, and on the other end of the scale with my 70-400. I've not spent $100+ for a filter before. The one I'm using now is several years old and cost me around $60 I think. It has a nick or two in it and since I just picked up the Sony 70-400 G lens I want a decent polarizer on the front-end now. Previously I didn't use a CP much with my 50-500 because I couldn't adjust it with the lens hood on. This new lens has a slot where I can rotate a CP with the hood in place.
The "Moose" Hoya sounds interesting and I've read good things about it. It does apply a combo "warming" effect...I'm fairly certain that if needed, some WB could be applied in post if it's too warm.
I own CPs from Hoya, Heliopan and B&W, and honestly can't tell the difference in the photos. I wouldn't bother with the "Moose" though... put a light blue swatch of paper or cloth in your camera bag and it's easy to set a warm custom WB anywhere.
The knock on the slim line filters is not being able to use the normal lens cap (no external threads makes it slimmer) and the rubberized friction fit cap that comes with the filter is pretty useless as it falls off with the slightest contact. I do hate walking around with a $120 filter with no protection on it.
I bought a few Hoya filters from Maxsaver, previously known as HVstar, and have been very happy with them. They carry the B+W filters too and you may want to check out their site for other filters too. I found out about them through recommendations at DPReview a few years ago and I think they are still a reliable company to deal with. The prices are very good and the free shipping was pretty fast considering they came from Hong Kong.
Maybe here's a different way to think about it ... Since you're putting an extra layer of glass between your subject and your sensor ... put the very best glass you can afford so that you do the least damage to image quality.
Maybe here's a different way to think about it ... Since you're putting an extra layer of glass between your subject and your sensor ... put the very best glass you can afford so that you do the least damage to image quality.
Yep. That's why this time I'm moving up a notch, although I do want to keep it under $150.
Thanks everyone for the feedback thus far. Very much appreciated.
Brennan - I could swear I've put a lens cap on the slim CP I have now. The cap is a Sigma pinch type. Now I'm going to have to double-check! :-)
mine is the Hoya super cir-pl 77 and it has nothing for the regular lens cap to grab onto. The only grooves are for mounting it to the lens with nothing on the other side to grab onto. I had another 77 circ-pl which does hold a cap, but it vingettes at the corners at 10mm
The knock on the slim line filters is not being able to use the normal lens cap (no external threads makes it slimmer) and the rubberized friction fit cap that comes with the filter is pretty useless as it falls off with the slightest contact. I do hate walking around with a $120 filter with no protection on it.
This rang a bell in my head as I know I can put the cap on both of the filters. So, I had to go and look! I remember now that's one of the reasons that why I bought the Nikon filter because it has internal thread for the lens cap even though it is the slim version. I remember reading that in the review comments before I got it because I definitely need a cap!
Oh...and my other one is actually a HOYA filter (this one). It's the fat version and the not the slim one.
I guess I should have looked before I posted...sorry!
