Circular Polarizers?

[Ogrt48]

I have really wanted a circular polarizer for quite some time now but I can't afford one really.. I was thinking of picking up a really cheap one though. Do the cheap ones work well if at all? Are they much worse than the expensive ones? Or is this another case of where the cheap ones perform just as well and people buy the more expensive ones strictly for status reasons?

[cosworth]

Cheap ones won't last as long. Expensive ones last longer and might not come apart.

also the more expensive ones can be bought "slim" to avoid vignetting.

"Last" is graded by how long before the polarizing layer stick to the glass before delaminating or going hazy.

[Ogrt48]

Ok, sounds like I'll just find a cheaper one for now while I'm having the money trouble.. I'll upgrade it in the summer or fall when I have a new job and am moved.. A cheap one should last til then I hope.

[cosworth]

They last for years. you'll be fine.

[Ogrt48]

Just ordered a 67mm for my tamron.

[JackProton]

Aside from the cheap Chinese no-name CPL filters whose construction may be an issue, the major difference is in the filter coatings. Good mutli-coatings will transmit more light and can help prevent lens flare and loss of contrast due to glare and ghosting. Otherwise, a cheap CPL filter made by a brand-name company will work just the same. Don't worry about it if you can't afford the ultra-multi-coated version right now -- you'll still get most of the benefits.