Polarizing filter (circular)

brianon

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a circular polarizing filter for me ?

I think I need a 58mm one ( I think the sigma 70-300mm & Canon 50mm lenses I have are 58mm ).

Also, should I always have a protective filter on the lens ? Recommendations ?

Regards,
Brian.

PaulieC

you can get a decent Hama filter off www.7dayshop.com for about 23 euro incl postage or a hoya for about 40.
If it's Canon 50mm 1.8 lens you have then it's more likely a 52mm or 55mm (can't remember which) filter you need, although you may be able to get a step down adapter which will allow you use the 58mm filter on that lens

Borderfox

52mm for the 50mm f1.8. I use protective uv filters on all my glass, not for UV just cause its easier to clean than the front of your lens, keeps it free from scratches. I cant tell the difference when its on or off though. Just as a thought I never used a polarizer on my 70-300 when I had it, you will lose about a stop or more (slower shutter speed) suppose it depends on what you are shooting.

brianon

Thanks guys. So how do I know which size filter I need for the sigma ?

PaulieC

Sigma should be 58mm, but check it. It will say around the top rim of the lens, where te filter thread is

Calina

Sigma is 58mm for the 70-300 DG APO

Stephen

Sigma 70-300 takes 58mm filters. I got a Hoya circular polariser in my local chemist for it for a mere €23! One awkward thing about using a circular polariser on the Sigma lens is that the front element rotates when focusing, so you'll have to adjust the filter every time you refocus.

edit: snap!

brianon

Stephen wrote:

One awkward thing about using a circular polariser on the Sigma lens is that the front element rotates when focusing, so you'll have to adjust the filter every time you refocus.

Sounds like it might not be such a good buy so ?

I also have the kit lens 18-55mm. What size filter would that take ?

PaulieC

fifty eight millimetres

brianon

Once more. Thanks guys.

JMcL

The Canon 50mm (assuming it's the f1.8) is 52mm. What I did was get a step up ring (I think it was about €6 in Gunns) to convert it to 58mm (I have the kit lens and the Sigma 70-300 as well - both 58mm), and got a new lens cap.

I'm using the Hama filter, and it's fine. As somebody pointed out, they can be had quite cheaply (£11.29 + shipping) from 7dayshop, where you can also get an appropriate lens cap for £2.35)

brianon

JMcL wrote:

The Canon 50mm (assuming it's the f1.8) is 52mm. What I did was get a step up ring (I think it was about €6 in Gunns) to convert it to 58mm (I have the kit lens and the Sigma 70-300 as well - both 58mm), and got a new lens cap.

I'm using the Hama filter, and it's fine. As somebody pointed out, they can be had quite cheaply (£11.29 + shipping) from 7dayshop, where you can also get an appropriate lens cap for £2.35)

Ok. So I could just get the step up ring for the 50mm + 58mm lens cap and leave it on the lens permanently? Then just one 58mm filter will do them all.

PaulieC

Correct! You could probably get everything - 58mm Circ Pol, 52->28mm step-up ring and 58mm lens cap from 7dayshop for about 30 quid incl delivery. It's a steal!

JMcL

brianon wrote:

Ok. So I could just get the step up ring for the 50mm + 58mm lens cap and leave it on the lens permanently? Then just one 58mm filter will do them all.

Yep. One other advantage I forgot to mention is that the step up ring is metal, which makes (un)screwing the filter much easier than with the plastic threads on the lenses