There are so many choices out there and many varying prices. I'm not against spending $50-$75 on a filter, but why should I buy the more expensive one. I'm looking for suggestions for my 17-85mm Canon EFS (67mm).
This would be an excellent price for a double-coated circular polarizer (the least I'd get for the equipmt. you use). The best are the German-made B + W and Heliopan at roughly three times the price you quote.
I took the plunge and bought the B + W -- saved about $40 buying it new on Ebay if that helps. I bought the Kaesemann which is sealed for weather because I thought if I'm spending over $100 on a filter I may as well look at it as a life long investment.
The big difference with the B + W / Heliopan vs less expensive filters is the quality of the glass (and general craftsmanship). Just like lenses, filters come in varying qualities. I have one pretty nice lens, the Canon 2.8 IS, USM, L 70-200mm. I would rather be certain I'm not hindering a $1700 lens by putting a cheap filter in front of it. Like the lens, I look at the filter as something I will have for many years.
The B + W runs about $160.
With filters I buy the largest (77mm for my Canon lenses) and a step down ring for my smaller lenses. This way I only have to invest in the filter once.
I've got a Hoya filter around the price range you mentioned. It's been great, no problems so far. A friend of mine bought a cheaper 'no-brand' filter, and after a couple of years, the edges are going grungy - something about the coating delaminating from the glass or something like that. More expensive filters will also be better coating for less reflection/flare, smoother rotating, thinner filter, etc.
I use a tiffen circular polarizer that I bought secondhand for that lens- works pretty well. But like the guy said above me, you have to use a thin faced filter because at 17mm the filter chops off the corners a little.
I'll look into the B+W ones, but am not promising anything ;)
I eventually plan on getting the EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS and the EFS 10-22mm, I guess I'll see what size they are and buy step down rings for the smaller ones whichever brand I get.
I eventually plan on getting the EF 70-200mm 2.8L IS and the EFS 10-22mm, I guess I'll see what size they are and buy step down rings for the smaller ones whichever brand I get.
Both lenses are 77mm. You'll want a thin one as mentioned to swap on the 10-22. The only thing about the thin ones is there's no grooves on the outer side to hold your lenscap on. My B+W came with a cheap cap that never stays on, so I just take the filter off after I'm done with it.
