I'm looking to buy a new polarising filter and on e-bay I've seen good prices on Sakar, Hama, and Kood brands. At the moment I'm using a Hoya 62mm with a 55mm step ring which works fine except at wide angle where the edges of the filter are in the shot. Does anyone have experience of these cheaper ones? will I notice a vast difference on quality from the Hoya?

I ordered some filters from hkdirect on ebay, and they haven't arrived.

They won't refund me the money either.

>_<

I've been using some Kood ones I aquired recently (Ebay) I am quite happy with.

Wether they are any good compared to the likes of Cokin/Hama/B&W etc, I don't know.

EDIT:
Ebay seller I got filters (and holders) from was surreyphotography .

I bought one of the cheaper ones (can't remember the brand) when I was away on holiday and I found myself in glorious sunshine near a beautiful harbour. I can't say I paid a cheap price as I got royally ripped off but they were the only photo shop who had my size.

My experience of this and other users filters is that the cheaper brands don't give you the true richness of the more expensive brands. I like the Hoya professional range and I tend to stick to them.

I'd definitely buy the right size filter for your camera (can work out expensive is you have lots of different sized lenses) as you will get great results at all focal lengths.

I have to admit I'm a polarising filter junkie so my view may be biased :)

My latest polariser is a Kood and I can't say it looks any different form any other polariser I've ever bought. I've always figured that since filters are essentially just flat pieces of glass you don't need to go mad with them - one is pretty much like another.

imp.
I have to disagree on the quality front as with all things photographic you do get what you pay for.

There is a noticeable difference in quality between your run of the mill Jessops filter and a Hoya Digital filter.

Maybe that's not so relevant with a polarising filter but anything which sits in front of the lens is going to affect the final image.

Maybe that's not so relevant with a polarising filter but anything which sits in front of the lens is going to affect the final image.

One wonders where you put your polarisers??? :D But seriously... I agree in general on the getting what you pay for front but I would be less unhappy about buying a cheaper (within reason) filter than a lens since filters have less effect on the image and are inherently easier to make.

Not to sure what you mean by a 'digital' filter. I know lenses designed for digital cameras have more anti-reflective technology on the rear elements than earlier lenses since a digital sensor is typically much more reflective than film emulsion. I suspect putting 'digital' in the name of a filter is just an excuse to wack another 30% on the price!

I have the bog standard Canon (18-55) lens for my Canon 400D, which rotates at the end as it focuses. How do I use a polariser with this? :D

I have the bog standard Canon (18-55) lens for my Canon 400D, which rotates at the end as it focuses. How do I use a polariser with this? :D

Focus on your subject then turn the filter until you get the polarising effect you are after.

Focus on your subject then turn the filter until you get the polarising effect you are after.

It's that easy? :D

It's that easy? :D

Yep, as long as you buy a circular filter not a linear one

Yep, as long as you buy a circular filter not a linear one

I don't understand - are you suggesting that circular ones are easier to rotate? I have a linera one which rotates perfectly easily - as it is round. The circular / linear reference in the description refers to the orientation of polarisation, not to the physical shape of the filter.

It was argued that linear polarisation would cause problems with autofocus systems and fool the camera into thinking it was focussed when in fact it was not - I have found this to be completely untrue and I have used a linear polariser with manual and autofocus cameras from many different companies - never had a problem, and as I said, it rotates just like a "circular" one

I don't understand - are you suggesting that circular ones are easier to rotate? I have a linera one which rotates perfectly easily - as it is round. The circular / linear reference in the description refers to the orientation of polarisation, not to the physical shape of the filter.

It was argued that linear polarisation would cause problems with autofocus systems and fool the camera into thinking it was focussed when in fact it was not - I have found this to be completely untrue and I have used a linear polariser with manual and autofocus cameras from many different companies - never had a problem, and as I said, it rotates just like a "circular" one

Ah you seem to know more than me, I have not used a linear one, I believed I needing a circular one for AF, so is there no real difference?

the real difference appears to be the price - circular ones are more expensive but I sense a scam - as I have said I use a linear polariser with manual and autofocus and have never had a problem despite my autofocus camera manuals telling me that I must use a circular one - the linear ones work fine - they are round but the polarisation is linear - if you imagine a set of venetian blinds half closed - like this - ////////////// - the light can only go through at the angle available - ie through the slots. In a linear polariser, the "slots" are in a straight line across the filter and their direction changes when you rotate the filter - in a circular one, it's a bit like having a circular blind - that doesn't make a lot of sense I know, but that's the general idea - both filters are usually round and both usually work fine

I bought a Hoya Polarising filter and thought it was great, here's an unedited pic using the polariser.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4964/39141185or9.jpg

...here's an unedited pic using the polariser.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4964/39141185or9.jpg

Spot on! Brilliant saturated colours, especially the sky. A polarizer just can't be mimiced in Photoshop. Just wait until Autumn!

I bought a Hoya Polarising filter and thought it was great, here's an unedited pic using the polariser.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4964/39141185or9.jpg

Brilliant pic, now I've got to get me one of them

Spot on! Brilliant saturated colours, especially the sky. A polarizer just can't be mimiced in Photoshop. Just wait until Autumn!

I have a Hoya UV filter , would i notice difference if i changed to a PL filter ?

I have a Hoya UV filter , would i notice difference if i changed to a PL filter ?

Oh yes!

A UV filter just knocks down the top end of the spectrum - they were useful in the days of film for preventing fogging and bleaching of skies in bright sunlight. In the digital days I've found them to be of little use except as protection for the lens front element.

A polariser, on the other hand, reduces the light reflected from (non-metallic) objects and can be used to cut out relfected glare from shiny surfaces. Its side effect, as you've seen above, is to saturate colours and subtly change the quality of the light - gives the image a bit of attitutde. Polarisers are expensive as filters go - expect to pay $20+ even for a relatively small diameter one, £40-50 if you have a big lens - but are well worth the money. I keep plugging these shots but you can see here (http://www.impinabox.co.uk/photography-for-fun.php?pic=6) the effect of a polariser in strong autumn sunlight.

yeh they seem more vibrant, i have 62mm and 58mm lens , but i'm liking my 62mm more so will get one for that.

You can always then get a step up ring, and step the 58mm lens up to fit the 62mm polarizer.

You can always then get a step up ring, and step the 58mm lens up to fit the 62mm polarizer.

You can, but the reason I'm buying a new one is because using a 62mm filter on a 55mm lens means the filter rim is visible at wide angle

Step up rings are usually fine on all but wide angle lenses. I used two step ups, from 49-52 and then 52-55 on my old Pentax 50mm lens and didn't have any vignetting problems. Fortunately the 24mm widey had the 55mm thread so I could use the filter direct on that.

Just bought a Hoya PL lens for an amazing £4.99 :love:

If it's genuine and in good nick you've got a serious bargain there.

If it's genuine and in good nick you've got a serious bargain there.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290233352739&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=019

UK seller, so should be ok, I looked on the website of the place on London Rd and the 62mm Hoya PL are £42.99

The ad doesn't say specifically if it is a circular polariser or a linear one. Circular are supposedly needed for autofocus cameras but other posts on here suggest that it makes little difference and auto-focus works with linear polarisers too. I expect it'll be fine. Post a few results when you get it.

The ad doesn't say specifically if it is a circular polariser or a linear one. Circular are supposedly needed for autofocus cameras but other posts on here suggest that it makes little difference and auto-focus works with linear polarisers too. I expect it'll be fine. Post a few results when you get it.

To be honest i've never used my camera on Auto Focus unless for off the hip type shots and that's rare.
I tell you one thing, i'm gagging to use it :hihi: