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Best Camera Polarizer Lens
Polarizing filters are a vital part of an outdoor photographer’s toolkit. They perform a range of functions that cannot be redone in post-processing.
They give images contrast and vibrancy and inject them with lots of colors.
A polarizing filter filters by filtering specific light waves, eliminating some to lessen the glare at the capture point.
This means that a photographer won’t spend countless hours editing out the effect using photo editing software later.
These filters come to life when a water body, such as a lake, ocean, or river, is being photographed.
They eliminate reflections and enhance the clarity of the water, making it possible to capture what’s underneath the water.
Photographers can shoot with the sun at a 90-degree angle to the camera for best results. Once they’ve mastered the technique, they will marvel at the magnificence of the skies.
That said, here are our suggestions for the best polarizing lens filters out there.
| Best Camera Polarizer Lens | Material | Photo Filter Thread Size | Thread Diameter Range | Thickness | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Circular Polarizer | Optical Glass | 72mm | 30.5 mm - 112 mm | 4.5mm | 3.75 x 0.75 x 3.75 inches | 2.4 ounces |
| Hama AR Coated Polarizing Filter | Glass | 77mm | 37mm - 82mm | 6mm | 4.35 x 3.6 x 0.6 Inches | 2.72 ounces |
| Lee Filters Polarizer | Optical Glass | 100mm | 105mm | 6mm | 1.38 x 4.65 x 4.92 inches | 1.41 ounces |
| Marumi DHG Circular Polarising Filter | Optical Glass | 77mm | 37mm - 105mm | 5mm | 4.25 x 0.71 x 3.74 inches | 2.72 ounces |
| Tiffen Circular Polarizer Filter | Optical Glass | 52mm | 25mm - 82mm | 5mm | 1.38 x 4.65 x 4.92 inches | 1.41 ounces |
1. B + W Circular Polarizer
The B + W circular polarizer comes on a massive range of thread diameters to suit lenses from beefier large apertures to tiny micro four-thirds.
You can also get an ‘F-Pro’ range filter whose price isn’t that vast.
When fitted, the thickness of this filter is 4.5 mm, which is not quite as thin as other options on this list, but you’re still unlikely to bump into any vignetting.
Key Specifications
- Material: Optical Glass
- Photo Filter Thread Size: 72mm
- Thread Diameter Range: 30.5 mm – 112 mm
- Thickness: 4.5mm
- Dimensions: 3.75 x 0.75 x 3.75 inches
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
2. Hama AR Coated Polarizing Filter
When it comes to polarizer lens filters, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good filter.
For example, Hama’s AR Coated Polarizing Filter can be accessed at a relatively affordable price, and it has a thread diameter range of 37 – 82 mm.
With this lens filter, you can forget about fancy coatings and glass because fingerprints and water will stick to the front element, making it hard to clean.
However, at least there is an AR anti-reflective coating to improve light transmission.
Key Specifications
- Material: Glass
- Photo Filter Thread Size: 77mm
- Thread Diameter Range: 37mm – 82mm
- Thickness: 6mm
- Dimensions: 4.35 x 3.6 x 0.6 Inches
- Weight: 2.72 ounces
3. Lee Filters Polarizer
The Lee Filters Polarizer is based on the LEE100 holder, which appends to lenses via a suitably sized adapter ring.
This polarizer then attaches to the front of the adapter, leaving a space for extra square filters to slide behind.
This system implies that this polarizer has a large diameter of 105mm, allowing it to cover several different lens diameters.
It’s also easy to rotate, and it appends into adapters much more quickly than trying to screw a standard polarizer onto your lens.
Key Specifications
- Material: Optical Glass
- Photo Filter Thread Size: 100mm
- Thread Diameter Range: 105mm
- Thickness: 6mm
- Dimensions: 1.38 x 4.65 x 4.92 inches
- Weight: 1.41 ounces
4. Marumi DHG Circular Polarising Filter
Marumi offers a somewhat perplexing range of circular polarizers, each with distinct coating/glass combinations.
The DHG Circular Polarizing Filter has an oil and water-repellent coating, which functions well, easily removing droplets and resisting fingerprints.
However, the DHG Circular Polarizer doesn’t have high-light transmission glass found in Marumi EXUS polarizers, which might explain the restricted light by half a stop.
Key Specifications
- Material: Optical Glass
- Photo Filter Thread Size: 77mm
- Thread Diameter Range: 37mm – 105mm
- Thickness: 5mm
- Dimensions: 4.25 x 0.71 x 3.74 inches
- Weight: 2.72 ounces
5. Tiffen Circular Polarizer Filter
Tiffen’s massively dependable filters are renowned by photographers for being relatively affordable options, and this is the case with the Circular Polarizer Filter.
This filter is cheaper than most and has a range of sizes from 25mm to 82mm.
There is a slightly cool cast to this filter, but not too pronounced. The light transmission and sharpness are very impressive, and the high-quality glass construction gives this polarizer filter its overall excellent quality.
Key Specifications
- Material: Optical Glass
- Photo Filter Thread Size: 52mm
- Thread Diameter Range: 25mm – 82mm
- Thickness: 5mm
- Dimensions: 1.38 x 4.65 x 4.92 inches
- Weight: 1.41 ounces
Final Thought
To sum it all up, a polarizing filter is one of the most crucial pieces of kit a landscape photographer can have.
Due to their slender structures, you might find it difficult to eject them from the end of your lenses, but their benefits outweigh their drawbacks.
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