polarizer recommendation?

[jabber]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a polarizing filter. Do you have a favorite make? As it will be going on a $1000 lens (Canon 17-55/2.8 IS), I don't mind paying a little extra for quality.

Thanks, J

[Barefoot]

It’s good that you don’t mind paying a premium price because more often that not you get just what you pay for.

If you’re open to suggestions, then you might consider a B+W. Being one of only a couple makers that cut their filters from either solid cylinders or blocks of glass and then grinding them with a high degree of precision rather than stamping them from sheets makes them well worth the extra denaro. In fact, B+W uses Schott glass which is the same glass used by Leica and Zeiss.

If you decide upon a B+W then search for and purchase from a reputable dealer in order to ensure that you get one that has the brass ring. I know a few people that bought off ebay and they got the models produced for the Asian markets that have aluminum rings instead. One of those that bought from ebay just happens to be my best shooting buddy and she’s always asking to borrow my filter wrench.

Heliopan filters aren’t too shabby either.

[tomorrowstreasures]

good question and a great answer!

[Marko]

Singh-ray also good ones including a warming one that I'd like to try.
http://www.singh-ray.com/polarizers.html

[tirediron]

Singh-Ray, B+W, and Heliopan and the top names; I would recommend the B+W as well, which is what I use myself. Yes, I paid more for my 77mm CPOL than most people do for their P&S cameras, but if you stack it up against a lesser filter, the differences are clear.