B+W 55mm Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating

The B+W filter shines in the area of build quality and optical perfection. I really, really like the brass material over aluminum because the filter spins on and off my lens with ease when compared to aluminum. In post processing I was floored by the performance of this filter. First time in the field it can be difficult to see what the image actually looks like on the back of your camera versus a nice computer screen. My images were vivid, sharp, and lush in color; nothing less than what I expect from a polarizer. Plus, I was shooting with a fast 50mm prime lens so I did not worry too much about vignetting.Filters are a nasty subject of photography in my opinion. Why? Because filters are expensive, can greatly impact your image (good and bad), and may leave new photographers with information overload. I declare this as I am the new kid on the block with limited knowledge and funds.Through researching I began to see a common trend: Heliopan and B+W are some of the best for high-end while Hoya is the best of the low-end. I already owned a couple of Hoya filters due to low cost and pretty good quality, and this filter is my first B+W. On that, I definitely experienced a difference, but without saying Hoya is a terrible line of filters.Final thoughts, if I spent a ton of money on a good Canon L series lens then expect me to purchase a Heliopan or B+W filter for it. For anything else I probably will continue purchasing Hoya's top of the line filters. If you are still unsure, compare this filter to a Hoya 58mm Pro1, note the $30 difference in cost, and splurge on the B+W if you never owned one before.

There are a number of things you can do to modify a digital image using digital image editing programs. Lots of special effects may easily be added after the image has been made. But polarizing filters are almost magical. You see, they cut reflections and glare, and provide images with more rich colors, and for everything except metal, reduced glare and reflection. These are things that can be difficult or impossible to do, no matter how good you are with a digital image editing program.Yes, the filter is costly. Magic never comes cheaply. In fact, the filter is made to rotate once installed so there are extra moving parts not found on most filters. Then there is the high-quality coating that helps with flare caused by the filter. There's a cost for this too. But when all is said and done, it's worth every last penny of the cost for the results you can get.The circular polarizer is necessary for single-lens-reflex (SLR) cameras that use auto-focus and metering systems because many of these cameras' systems would be adversely affected by linear polarizing filters. So if you have a recent, auto-focus, through-the-lens metering camera, you probably should be using a circular polarizing filter - check your camera manual if you are not sure.This in my experience is the most useful filter available and worth every penny. Unlike the Skylight or UV filters sold because "you need to protect your lens" or "cut UV-haze". Just remember that todays modern lenses have very hard glass, hard lens coatings, and that almost no UV rays pass through glass and today's multi-coated lenses. Unlike the polarizing filter, the Skylight and UV filters are a waste of your money unless you are truly shooting in a very hostile environment. Save the money you would have spent on these profit makers for the camera store and buy a filter that will actually make an immediate difference in your photography - a polarizing filter!

I settled on this polarizer after reading reviews from a lot of different sources. The first one I received from Amazon had a couple of issues. The front rotation ring was too tight and it also had a small mark on the front element. I tried cleaning it with lint free cloth with no luck. I called Amazon and they promptly replaced with a new one. The new one however had a completely different issue. The front ring was a little wobbly. Having paid close to $150 on this one, I was expecting a much better quality product. I have now sent the second one back to Amazon.Baring these quality issues, I would have given this product a 5 star rating. Now, why does it deserve a 3 star rating?3 stars is purely for the quality of glass element. Polarization effect on this one is spectacular. People have been talking about vignetting at wide angle and the need for a slim version. But this polarizer does not vignette at 13 mm or higher on my DX format camera. Even at 11mm there is only very slight vignetting (remember - never stack this one with a UV filter. Never a good idea. Stacking exaggerates the vignetting) . The color saturation produced by this filter is simply amazing. I was so impressed by the B&W color rendering, I have decided to go with the B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating  version. I am extremely happy with the quality on the Kaesemann version. In terms of polarizer quality there is no noticeable difference between the standard and the Kaesemann versions. However, I think BW has got different quality assurance teams to check the product quality on these 2 versions. I hope BW takes care of the quality issue on the standard version and ensures people who pay top dollar do get a top quality product.

this filter appears to be a genuine article NOT a counterfeit ..I was able to verify it is authentic using the B+W web site. the box was not sealed but maybe that doesn't matter??77mm filter weighed 58grams nice and heavy

For my DX Nikkor 10-24mm ultrawide zoom, currently the widest lens that you can attach a front filter onto. I also use an old FX Nikkor 17-35mm f2.8 and a Tokina DX 16-50mm, both of which are of professional levels of resolution.I've moved through the usual polariser route, from cheap and nasty which falls to bits after a couple of shoots and which are assembled so loosely, moisture gets in between the two pieces of glass and then you get that milky hazy soft contrast effect - the opposite to what you want from a polariser!I'd finally settled on what I thought was the best, Sigma's EX range and indeed, these are excellent, with an excellent deep tone to the polarisation effect and they are very well made too. They are also extremely slim profiled and without any hint of vignetting at even the widest settings and/or smallest aperture.But the Sigma was getting a little smeary and grubby after a couple of year's hard use. I was about to buy another as a replacement but naturally looked to see what else was available at a similar price.B&W have always been considered the best and the professional's choice. So, it was with some surprise that by buying direct from Germany, via Amazon, then the price was very reasonable indeed. Despite being posted from Germany, it arrived within a few days.First thing I noticed was that the B&W cannot ever be considered as 'slimline'. Whilst the Sigma's are quite elegant, the B&W was a piece of engineering and unlike the low profile ones, I imagine that you could screw another filter inside the front of your B&W (which is not something I'd need to do). Straight away, I was worried that there'd be vignetting in the corners at 10mm of my 10-24mm. But there is none, thankfully.I can't say that the image or polarisation quality is any better than the Sigma but the solid construction and easier to clean glass should keep it in a blemish-free condition for longer. I can't say that I'm so bowled over that I'm going to replace all my other sized polarisers (even if I could afford to!) with B&W's, but my 10-24mm is by far my most used lens and a polariser used at 10mm is part of trademark image, as a photographer and so is essential kit.So, if you've been hankering for a B&W and not sure if they're worth it, well, at this price and direct from Germany, then I think it is, definitely.

I already bought this filter from the same seller and loved it BUT having bought a second one, this one is not like the B+W polariser filter I already own, it can't do the job as well and feels of inferior build quality.It is not like any other B+W glass I own, unlike other B+W filters it gets jammed onto the thread of other filters when stacked. I'll keep it & use it as best I can. I suspect, at worst it is a cheap counterfit copy that has got into the supply chain and at best B+W have made drastic changes to the manufacture of this filter.I'm very disappointed for a brand like B+W that I have trusted and invested in at any cost since 1980 should have there name on such a poor product wether they made it or not.

This filter is very well made and has a pleasingly fluid ring rotation - it feels like a quality build. No issues with optical performance.The brass mount has a matt paint finish and I wonder if this is contributing to some users having an issue with sticking. I haven't experience this yet, but I have with some other filters. I found spaying a little silicone lubricant on a cloth and carefully rubbing this into the thread cured the problem.I would happily recommend this filter.

I first bought a B+W Clear filter two years ago after my Hoya Clear filter kept jamming on the Lens in hot weather, I had to buy a set of Filter Wrenches to remove the Hoya filter, the B+W filter has not jammed once, the clear filter was purely for Lens protection. The Hoya Filter did it's job very well but I would rather pay out for a filter that does not jam than damage my 70-200mm f2.8 Nikor Lens.I wanted a Circular Polarizing filter and because of my experience with the B+W Clear filter I opted for the B+W brand again.The build quality is first rate, the results from using the filter are excellent and I would recommend these filters to anyone.

I bought this one for my Nikon D5100. I was between this one, a Sigma, Hoya HD and a cheaper Hoya/Hama.I thought about it a lot as it is my first filter, but finally decided to buy the B+W and oh it is awesome! It's steel, heavy, fits perfectly my lens, as soon as you open the little box and actually see the product you will understand that it's worth every cent! I've seen plastic filters in a shop, they seemed to be ok but I can tell you this is very very different. You feel it is a quality product. I know I will have this one for years...I took a picture to test it: the saturation, the colors, are just perfect! The colors are darker but my photo is as bright as the one I took without the filter. Hard to imagine something better. But on the other hand I didn't try other filters so I cannot compare the saturation/color quality with the cheaper ones.I recommend the B+W filter.About delivery: I placed my order yesterday and received my package today, I chose the FREE delivery option and I do not live in England. I received the item even before the predicted date (3 to 10 business days)!! Very satisfied :) Thank you!