What's the best polarizer?

I'm in the market for a new polarizer. I have a Tiffen...have never been really thrilled with it, plus I dropped it on a rock and it's really hard to turn. What do you recommend as the best?

I am researching the same topic. Consensus seems to be that B+W and Heliopan are the best filters out there. Better glass, coatings and brass construction. The multi-coated are preferable to cut down on flare. I have some B+W's and some Tiffens. I much prefer the B+W.

I use the Singh Ray for the Cokin P system. I've always been very pleased with SR products. I've always heard good thing about B+W as well.

I have a screw-on Singh Ray low-profile filter and have been real happy with the results.

I have a B+W Kaeseman that I bought this winter. I have not done a lot with it but like it so far. I used a Tiffen before I got the B+W. I don't know anyone with a Singh Ray that doesn't like it though.

Bruce

I would say Hoya, B&W and Singh Ray, either are quality filters. I had a ultra thin Hoya, (expensive $180) but it was really smooth, and because of it being so thin, I had no problems with vignetting. But I shattered that on my last SW trip in Mar.

I am a big fan of polarizers and have used a number of brands. I once thought it didn't matter, a polarizer was a polarizer. Then, I discovered how strong lights (e.g. headlight from a train) can cause significant ghosting and flare problems. I now only use multicoated filers. Yes, they are more expensive, but they do help control flare to a noticeable degree. I am currently using both a B+W MRC and a Hoya SMC. I have used a Heliopan in the past. I really can't tell much difference between these premium brands. If you are shooting a DSLR, the thin ones don't seem to matter so much since there's much less chance of vignetting anyway. Whatever one you get, take care of it. I rinse them off in water before I clean them, to get rid of any grit before wiping them. Don't stick them in a pocket, use a filter holder. Don't throw them loose in a camera bag--have them in a holder so they don't rub up against something and get scratched. EBay has turned out to be a good source for filters.


Kent in SD

Take a good look at the Singh Ray Warming Polarizer. It saves 2/3 of a light stop.

Art L.

I have a Nikon polarizer that I've been using for 37 years that I like and is serving well. I also have a B+W polarizer that I bought 6 months ago and also like.

That Singh-Ray LB (lighter/brighter) warming polarizer sure can be nice in the forest when that extra little bit of shutter speed can make a big difference.

I'll add a little bit of recent experience with my Hoya CPL. Its just the standard Hoya, not a thin filter or a fancier multicoated model. On a recent trip, I was using this filter. I needed to change lenses (both use the same filter), so I started to unscrew the filter. Somehow I managed to pop the snap ring out of place and the filter came apart in my hand.

The rotating ring is filled with grease, which got all over the filter. The snap ring is very fine and its a good thing that I didn't drop or bend it.

It was a simple fix and I got it going again. but I had never had this happen on even a cheap tiffen CPL. granted all my older filters with 49-58mm and this one is 77mm, but I was surprised to have this problem.