Filters - start buying 82mm?

I currently have a medium quality CPL and various protective filters in 77mm. That's great because I use them on a 17-40L, 28-70 and plan to get the 24mm TS-E Mk 1. I want to get a better CPL and wonder whether I should start getting 82mm filters. And use them with an adapter ring for now.

I am interested in the 16-35mm and if the right offer comes along I might get the Mk 2 version of the 24mm TS-E, both of which have 82mm.

Would you do it?

I guess the first question is whether there is a disadvantage to using an adapter ring, other than being cumbersome. Does the CPL perform differently depending on how far it is from the front element?

One downside is not being able to use a hood on the lens, but thats about all I can think of.

Are you considering a Lee filter set up?

Don't give me any ideas that lead to more gearslutting

uOpt wrote in post #15837817
Don't give me any ideas that lead to more gearslutting

I went with a Cokin knock off holder and started very slowly adding filters I have not updated my CPL yet.

If a hood is not important to you then I see no reason not to get an 82 and some step up rings.

I have a related "cool story, bro." Almost 2 years ago, when it was announced that the replacement 24-70mm was going to have an 82mm filter I saw the writing on the wall and started prowling for all the filters I use in 82mm size. This was somne time ago and 82mm filters were VERY unpopular (Canon only had 2 lenses that used that size and one of those was a boutique lens). So if you were looking you could find used 82mm filters for pennies on the dollar. For instance, I picked up a Singh-Ray 82mm Color Combo for about $65 shipped! (It was described as having a scuff, which it does - a very light one. But still, had that been a 77mm filter it would have been $200-250 easy, scuff and all.)

I picked up several 82mm filters (S-R Color Combo, S-R Thin(!) Vari-ND, S-R Warming CPol, B+W XS-Pro Kasemann Nano CPol, etc.) before I even had a lens that could take them natively and I spent about as much on ALL of those as I would have had I bought just the Vari-ND new (when it was even available for purchase in 82mm thin configuration - it currently is not).

That's my CSB.

82mm filters have since become more popular with the release of the 24-70mm II, Tamron 24-70mm VC, and even Samyang's latest T/S announcement, but they are still nowhere near as popular as 77mm.

My advice, get the 82mm and step-ups. No real reason not to. CPols with a (Canon, Nikon) hood sucks no matter the size of the filter, so you'll probably just go without a hood when using a CPol eventually anyway.

If you're sure that you will be going 82mm for your next lens, it makes sense to get an 82mm CPL, and deal with the fairly minor inconvenience in the meantime.

But if you don't end up going the 82mm route, you would have been fine with the 77.

Personally, I buy for the gear that I have, rather than for the gear that I might buy next, but YMMV.

uOpt wrote in post #15837817
Don't give me any ideas that lead to more gearslutting

Ok...What's your budget?

Well it turns out that the 82mm version of the Kaesemann I want is much more expensive than the 77mm. Sigh. Nothing is ever eaaa-zeyyyy.

My current CPL for the big lenses is the B+W 77mm Kaesemann MRC SLIM Circular Polarizer Filter. I want to upgrade to the B+W XS-PRO Digital Kaesemann MRC Nano. On Maxsaver the 77mm version is $161, 82mm is $264 (and out of stock).

So, bring it on, jdizzle What's a good alternative? What's the Singh-Ray CPL like?

There is no good alternative bcoz' the prices start to go above what B+W is asking. The Singh Ray is a sweet CPL but, it's heads north to $450.00 in 82mm. There's also Heliopan and that isn't cheap either. My best advice is to not cheapen out on a CPL. Buy a good one and don't look back.

http://singh-ray.com/colorcombo.htm​l

jdizzle wrote in post #15839738
There is no good alternative bcoz' the prices start to go above what B+W is asking. The Singh Ray is a sweet CPL but, it's heads north to $450.00 in 82mm. There's also Heliopan and that isn't cheap either. My best advice is to not cheapen out on a CPL. Buy a good one and don't look back.

http://singh-ray.com/colorcombo.htm​l

Good attempt, that.

How do they do two functions in one filter? Is that filter reversible? I'm confused.

uOpt wrote in post #15839768
Good attempt, that.

How do they do two functions in one filter? Is that filter reversible? I'm confused.

It has something to do with the elements in the glass but, still works as a CPL.

Oh so it always does both the CPL and the color enhancer?

uOpt wrote in post #15840915
Oh so it always does both the CPL and the color enhancer?

Yes, with a touch of warming in the mix.