Please explain the diff?

Hi
I plan on getting the 28-135mm lens soon. I want to get a circular polarizer filter to go with it. I don't know a lot about this type of filter so I went out to B&H to see what they offered. Could someone advice/explain the difference between these two filters:

Hoya Circular Polarizer (S-HMC) Super Multi-Coated Glass Filter - Thin for $137

or

Hoya Circular Polarizer (HMC) Multi-Coated Glass Filter for $119.

Also, are Canon's filters any good?

Thanks

I was always told that Canon filters were crap, but mine came with my kit lens, so I use it.

The thin ones are for wide angle lenses (ala the EF 17-40mm f4L). The other ones are for regular lenses, i.e. the one that you would like to purchase. If you try to use a regular one on a wide angle lens, then you may experience vignetting...which is easily corrected, but to some, may not be worth the time. Thus, they make thin ones, for wide angles.

Hope that helps clear it up. Oh, and go with the other one, not the thin one, for the lens that you are contemplating.

they should make a S-HMC thats not thin.

i personally own a B+W Circ Pol MRC. great filter.

Canon filters are junk - they're basically re-branded Tiffen.

You want the "Super Multi-Coated" - the more coatings the better. The only thing to watch on some slim filters is that there are no front threads. Doesn't sound important, but your lens cap won't attach if they're missing.

I like Hoya filters. They get expencive, but sure are better than that crap you get from canon or ritz camera!

Your current lenses:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM= 67mm filter thread
Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM= 52mm filter thread
Canon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6= 58mm filter thread
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom= 58mm filter thread
Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0 AF DX= 77mm filter thread

Your future lens:
Canon EF 28-135mm IS UMS= 72mm filter thread

I suggest buying a 77mm B+W CP filter (since that the largest filter thread in your lineup) and THEN get
77mm to 72,67,58 and 52mm step down rings from ebay (they are cheaper than B+H and you get all sizes that you are interested in).

gjman wrote in post #2230379
Your current lenses:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM= 67mm filter thread
Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM= 52mm filter thread
Canon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6= 58mm filter thread
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom= 58mm filter thread
Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0 AF DX= 77mm filter thread

Your future lens:
Canon EF 28-135mm IS UMS= 72mm filter thread

I suggest buying a 77mm B+W CP filter (since that the largest filter thread in your lineup) and THEN get
77mm to 72,67,58 and 52mm step down rings from ebay (they are cheaper than B+H and you get all sizes that you are interested in).

good advice on the step down ring for the 77mm (although i wouldnt push it any further than 67, mabye even 72, it would just be silly past that, and smaller polarizers arnt that much money anyway). but just a note, the 100 macro is 58mm no?

If you look at Canon USA it says its 58mm and if you look at Canon Europe it say its 52mm. I guess someone who actually owns the lens needs to step in.

Also,
B+W 58mm MC Circ. Pol = $95
B+W 77mm MC Circ. Pol = $145

77mm filter to 58mm lens Step Down from Ebay= $7

Oh I forgot, I actually have three 58mm lenses so I got a el cheapo 58mm CPL with the Hoya Introductory Filter kit. But I do share the B+W 77mm CPL with my 28-135 and 70-200mm with a 77 to 72 step down from ebay. I am thinking of getting the abovementioned 77 to 58mm too.

yea. B&H says 58mm. and ive used one before, and am 99% sure its 58mm. soooo europe is wrong.

i guess a stepdown ring would be budgetarily best. but man thats got to look weird. also, dont see much of a reason to use it on the macro or kit anyway.

The one problem with step-down rings is that the combo will not always fit within the hood of the lens you're adapting to... The greater the difference between the filter size and native filter thread size on the lens, the more likely problems could occur.

I have a Heliopan 77mm CPL for example. Using it with the 35mm f/1.4L with a 72mm thread is easily done with a step-down ring. The tolerance is tight - and the hood has to be put on first - then the ring as the hood won't fit over the ring.

For the budget concious, this is a great way to go though. 77mm, 72mm and 52/58mm are all common Canon sizes so with a few rings you'd be set.

thanks for the good advice! I always learn something here.