Official Filter - Polarizer - UV - All Filters F.A.Q

To address the original question: oh yes there is most certainly a difference between different UV filters. You don't want to go sticking some cheap piece of coke-bottle glass in front of your lens; what's the point of buying a high-def camera if you're going to force it to look through some uncoated slab of cheap glass?

If you're going to put a UV filter in front of your lens, get the very, very, very, very best UV filter you can afford. EVERY SINGLE FRAME of video that you shoot from that moment on will be affected by that filter. You want a multi-coated filter for high light transmission and reduced reflection/glare. I went with a B+W 82mm MRC, cost something like $130 at B&H. If I could find a better one I'd probably get it.

B+W is the circular screw-in name for Schneider Optics; so Schneider and B+W filters are made by the same company. Heliopan is also a good brand. Hoya and Tiffen, at least in screw-in, are not as good from my experience.
 
which polarizer for HVX?

which polarizer for HVX?

I am trying to find out, whether I need a circular or a linear polfiter for use with my HVX 200. I even asked tiffen and they immediately answered:

"Usually the Circular type is used with HD cameras having a video assist in them. Check your owners manual or the manufacturer for that information. Otherwise, I would recommend the Ultrpol Linear."

The mentioned manual doesn't help because I don't know what a video assist might be (video assist in a video camera sounds like a pleonasm to me).
So, does anyone know, if the HVX needs an (expensive) circular polarizer, i.e. it has a 'video assist' or if a linear polfilter is just as fine? Any experiences?
 
If you are going to use auto focus at all with it, you need a circular. If you're totally manual focus while using it then get the linear.
A linear will mess with the auto focus of a camera whether it's a still camera or video.

The circular is made so that it will not affect auto focus systems.
 
Thanks n8ture, that is very helpful.
I can't imagine using auto focus together with the polarizer, but just in case: does the circular have any disadvantages besides being more expensive?
I think I will get me a linear anyway, but I am curious...
 
Maybe I am missing something.

Maybe I am missing something.

n8ture said:
If you are going to use auto focus at all with it, you need a circular. If you're totally manual focus while using it then get the linear.
A linear will mess with the auto focus of a camera whether it's a still camera or video.

The circular is made so that it will not affect auto focus systems.
Click to expand...

Hey there n8ture! :)

I couldn't get an 82mm circular polarize anywhere in PDX. Now I have never questioned the old wisdom of circular vs linear. But I was at one shop that happened to have an 82mm tiffen linear.

Well I tried it out, and it did not affect the autofocus on my HVX in the slightest, or anything else for that matter and worked great. Still unsure they had a Cokin P circular polarizer there and holding it up to the lens I found no performace difference.

So I got the linear for only $40.00 and have been a happy beaver ever since. But still I wonder what gives, because while I was happy to experiment, it did go against the circular/autofocus reasoning.

BTW, I love the images on your site!!!!! :)
 
The HVX works with either. Linears do not affect autofocus as they do with most still camera lenses. You're only spending more money than necessary by buying a circular polarizer (unless you plan on using the same filter with a still camera.)
 
I got a Hoya SMC Pro 1 82mm CP from The Filter Connection earlier this week, but haven't even tried it yet. I don't expect any problems though.

It's on their website, but a special-order item they don't usually stock. It took them about a week to get it.
 
cbdv said:
Can I ask which filters you are looking at, I am in the market as well.
Click to expand...

I want some 4x4 Filters and it seems the tiffen wht/wtr ultrapol linear is what I am looking for as a polarizer. I heard Schneider is the best quality, but I will probably not see any difference myself.

Linears do not affect autofocus as they do with most still camera lenses. You're only spending more money than necessary by buying a circular polarizer
Click to expand...

If circular polarizers only make sense on still cameras, why are 4x4 circular polarizers being produced? Those square filters are for film cameras and not for still cameras, are they not?
 
The HVX must not use a beam splitter for auto focus. Anything that uses a beam splitter needs a circular. Obviously, there must be some cameras out there that have beam splitters which is why they make 4X4 circular filters.
I come from a still background so I've always used circulars out of habit with autofocus systems.
 
Last edited:
All right, two strong votes for the Schneider Tru-Pol and no objections from anyone. Just as an information for those also interested in purchasing a polarizer: The Schneider Tru-Pol is a linear polarizer and costs about 300 $. The previously mentioned tiffen ultrapol costs about 180$.
So as usual everyone has to decide between affordability and superior quality.
 
I found the Schneider Tru-Pol for $156.00 online.
I haven't called EVS yet to see what they want for it but I don't think it's going to be $300.00
 
Strange, it's true, at 2Filter it is 156$, but at acephotodigital it is 299$ and also at focuscamera.com it ist 299$. How is that possible?
I am german and have absolutely no experience with shopping in USA, so I probably look at the wrong places...
 
I'm not sure. I wanted to call EVS and check their price since I've ordered from them before and always had great service.
I've never ordered from 2Filter so I don't know why they're so much cheaper.
 
You might want to go to:
http://schneideroptics.com to verify part numbers, just to make sure you are comparing prices with identical items.

For round screw-on filters, you will find that B + W branded filters are slightly cheaper then their Schneider equivalent, and the filters are the same.
Look for B + W with Käsemann glass; size 82mm has part number 65016117.
 
jwfilm said:
Strange, it's true, at 2Filter it is 156$, but at acephotodigital it is 299$ and also at focuscamera.com it ist 299$. How is that possible?
Click to expand...
If you want to know what legit prices are, check B&H. You'll rarely find a legit price that's any more than maybe 5% below B&H's, and B&H's website is unparalleled for quick & easy searching of so many products.
 
The Filter Connection is legit and has been around for many years, and filters are all they sell (well, that and camera cleaning gear).

I've bought from them a few times and never had a problem, and I've received an order and been charged less than the already low prices shown on their site.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top