I would like to know which circular polarizer is best for the 28-135 IS lens ? I realize there are a million and one different makes and grades of polarizers out there, but I want something with maximum polarizer effect (ie, really darkens skies at 90 degree angle to the sun), yet is thin enough to avoid vignetting at the 28mm setting.

Is the original Canon polarizer any good ?

-- Robert Chan (rc@pacific.net.sg), February 17, 1999

Answers

The Canon is probably a safe bet, but you are unlikely to have any problems with any single filter at 28mm unless it is unusually thick. I don't have the 28-135, but I do have a 28-80, which only has a 58mm thread diameter, and I have not had any problems with either of my Hoyas. I have the standard thickness multicoated UV filters, and the slim super multicoated polarizer. Under the right conditions it darkens the sky considerably, but 28mm is too wide for the darkening to be consistant from one side of the frame to the other, so be aware of that. I don't know if anyone has compared polorizers to see if some darken more than others or not by the way.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), February 18, 1999.

Canon's (probably made by Tiffen) should work.

-- Dick Ginkowski (dickg@execpc.com), February 17, 1999.

I'd suggest that you check the photo.net archives. I found a few good discussions about polarizers there the other day. Information includes: different types of polarizers, thick vs thin, linear vs circular, etc...

-- Daryl Hiebert (dhiebe@po-box.mcgill.ca), February 18, 1999.

At 28mm the regular Tiffen can vignette. I have had this happen fairly often. Tiffen is supposed to have a new thin polarizer, but I have not been able to find anyone who has tried it.

-- dan woodlief (dwoodlief@carolina.com), February 18, 1999.

I have a circular Hoya HMC on my 28-105 lens without vignetting, if you are too worried you can get them ultra slim. The desired effect is given, but I feel my old linear filter on my non-AF lenses does a better job. I have NOT performed a direct comparism though.

-- Marcus Erne (cerne@ees.eesc.com), February 18, 1999.

At 28mm the standard Tiffen DOES vignette.... I have 2 of them in my closet. The thin Canon is great but $$$$$$. Consider it a one off purchase. It will also work on either larger 75-300 or 100-300 zooms.

Cheers

-- Bill Wyman (Bill.Wyman@utas.edu.au), February 18, 1999.