2007-05-09T21:00:00
Rated 4 out of 5
Optically excellent, inconvenient to use
In my opinion, if you take scenic outdoor photographs there is no filter more useful than a polarizer. In other words if you can only afford one filter and would like to improve your scenic shots I think you should choose a polarizer. This filter is a little different in that it combines a polarizer and a UV filter. I realize there is some debate as to the benefit of using UV filters with digital cameras. Last week after purchasing a few new filters I decided to do my own unscientific test of several filters I own including other polarizers, warming filters, and enhancers. I shot in raw mode leaving the camera on auto white balance. I then compared how the various images came out of the camera as well as how well I could improve them in my raw converter. This filter had in my opinion the best out of camera color balance. I don’t know why but I believe the UV filter improved the color balance over a standard polarizer. It did a better job than my unfiltered shot.
On the downside however, this filter is in a thin mount with no outer filter threads and a very thin turning ring. It is impossible to turn the ring without touching the glass on the edges. Also, better make sure the sun is behind you because there is not even a filter thread to protect from direct side light. I would really like to see this filter in a different more convenient mount because as it is, it is rather difficult to use.
LeeK
