Need a polarizer, but have 3 lenses.

[99allturbo]

After taking the blinding pics of my Evo this weekend, I now know I need one. Can you guys give me some advice on what to do when I pick up a polarizer in regards to the different size lenses I have? My lenses are 52mm, 55mm, and 58mm in diameter. Which should I buy the polarizer for and which should I get an adapter for?

I appreciate any help. :)

Carlos

[cdifoto]

Well I have cheapo yet decent 58mm and 52mm CPLs I could let go inexpensively. They don't drop IQ or flare too much. Surprisingly good for the price, IMHO.

[RebelRat]

Buy the larger size and get stepdown adapters for the smaller ones.

[coldrain]

No idea what lenses you have. So, hard to judge if you really need a polarized light filter for all three?

You have to take into account that sometimes you may want to use a CPL but also may benifit from the lens hood. I have this with my 18-50 f2.8 Sigma and my 12-24mm f4, and their tulip shaped hoods do allow operating the filter with hood attached.

Of course, a rotating front element of the lens will make it practically impossible to use a polarizer.... so, don't get a polarizer for for instance your kit-lens.

[99allturbo]

cdi, thanks, but I'd like to get a good quality CPL and just pick it up locally.

rebelrat, that's what I needed to know.

[DonSchap]

The relative change between 58 and 52mm is pretty small, so if you did use a 58mm Hoya CP on all three lenses using the two step downs, you probably wouldn't have issues with it fitting into a lens bag, but you would not be able to use your standard lens hood with it.

The lens hood is for use in bright sunlight and locations where you may have other light sources which could cause lens flare and undesired lighting effects. Once the front end of your lens is naked ... the fun begins. :rolleyes:

So ... this means you should consider the proper size CP filter for the lens and keep your standard lens hood handy. The cost of CP under 62mm is pretty nominal. Once you exceed 62mm, though ... the price goes up substantially.

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An really good alternative is purchasing the rubber-lens hood (~$7.99), which easily folds down, but can be bought to screw right on to the front of the 58mm CP-filter. These are available almost anywhere. It will replace your standard lens hood, when using the CP filter. It also allows you to quickly adjust your Polarization without having to remove the regular lens hood each time you do so (most lens hoods completely cover all the filters stacked on the front of the lens, polarizer included.), as you turn the rubber hood, it turns the front of the polarizer. :cool:

Another positive aspect of the "rubber hood" is that it will protect the front of your lens and filers from the occasional nick or slight bumps. Nicks, chips and bends can interfere directly with the delicate threads on the front of all lenses.

W/O HOOD
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Another aspect of the reducing rings and the rubber lens hood is that you could use it on the proper-sized polarizer in a clever reverse fashion, which still would allow for ease of polarizartion adjustment. ;)

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Personally, I routinely have the rubber hood on my EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens, because:
it is a telephoto
is so physically long, the fact is that on a EOS 20D with its DCF of 1.6x ... no matter how hard I try, I can cannot vignette this focal length with additional filter stacks, so it works great.
unlike third-party (namely TAMRON) lens, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III does not come with a standard lens hood :p


Here's a rough image of the 58mm version ...

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On a UWA (11-18mm, 10-22mm, 12-24mm)... that is not the case. ANYTHING on the front of a UWA lens will cause vignetting, even on a APS-C sensor camera. Use only super-thin CPs ... and since they are 77mm in diameter, plan on about $100 to do it. Forget use of the hood entirely! :rolleyes:

[99allturbo]

Thanks fro the recommendations Don. I plan on purchasing a 58mm CPL and buying a step-down ring for my 55mm lens and 52mm lens. I'll ask about a 58mm rubber hood.

Appreciate the help.

[adam75south]

i want one for the 24-70mm but i saw a couple on b&h for $200 and i just can't justify that right now. any thoughts?..as far as what to look for on ebay?