Cheap Filters

[cosmonaut]

Well I have three polarizers, a $30.00, $50.00 and $80.00 one. The difference between the $30.00 to the $50.00 is quiet noticeable. But from the $50.00 to $80.00 is not, But the $80.00 one is multi coated. I bought it as stated earlier, to cut down on flares. I guess I drew my conclusions about the linear filter from the $30.00 one. Spinning it around does nothing while my others change noticeably. Maybe it's because it's a cheap filter. but in my opinion a cheap filter will work but I think if you shop in the $50.00 to $70.00 range you will be quiet happy and agree spending more is probably not worth it.
Cosmo

 

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

If you are in the U.K. Jessops do a cheap polarizer which is very good.

 

[Garbz]

You don't suppose that the zoom lens being far more complex is more prone to flare do you?

Nope it is entirely the filter. I have tested this several times with a few of my lenses. Most recently 2 weeks ago when taking a photo of the moon over the city I had to take the filter off because of the flare. The flare is a single smudge, the lens would cause multiple.

The difference is entirely due to the lack of a non-reflective coating on the cheaper filter vs the HMC filter. But again, if you get flare you can always take the filter off.

Also agreed sunglasses are ludicrously overpriced, but I guarantee they cost more than $1 to make. Getting a uniform anti-glare coating on any type of glass or plastic counts for most of the expense. It isn't $90 more, but it is significant.