77mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filter with Filter Cap Cleaning Cloth Optical Glass Ultra Slim Polarizing CPL Filter with 28 Multi-Layer Coatings Nano-Xcel Series
SKU: KF01.973V2
Well, I do see reviews where people complain about how expensive filters are, even ones in this price range. 10 years ago, besides the fact that you couldn’t get filters of this quality (really only because of the advances in multi-coating technology), ones that were close were very expensive, at least to me.
The only advantage the filters that are in that high price bracket have is having the mounts machined from brass (and K&F has their upper tier line with even more multi coat layers and brass rings, that I haven’t tried yet). These are nicely machined, and they have a deep side knurling, that especially on a rotating filter, are nice to use.
This specific filter rotates very smoothly; I do have the same nano series filter in two other sizes, and the big one, 82mm, is stiff to turn. My assumption is it will loosen up. This specific filter (67mm) is quite smooth though.
So, what makes this 5 stars to me? The polarizing film in it works as expected, and there is very little color cast. Although I haven’t done a comparative test on light transmission, and reflectivity with their CPL filters, I did a fairly extensive comparison on UV filters, and the nano series was in the top tier—again, competing with filters that cost up to 4 times as much. So, I’m extrapolating that the coatings are just as effective on the polarizers. To be fair, I should mention that the newest of my “expensive” filters are at least 5 or 6 years old, and, as I said earlier, there’s been a lot of advancements in coatings made recently.
The cap, cleaning cloth and filter keeper are just bonuses. I’d rather get the older, round style K&F filter case rather than the larger box that this came in though.
The only advantage the filters that are in that high price bracket have is having the mounts machined from brass (and K&F has their upper tier line with even more multi coat layers and brass rings, that I haven’t tried yet). These are nicely machined, and they have a deep side knurling, that especially on a rotating filter, are nice to use.
This specific filter rotates very smoothly; I do have the same nano series filter in two other sizes, and the big one, 82mm, is stiff to turn. My assumption is it will loosen up. This specific filter (67mm) is quite smooth though.
So, what makes this 5 stars to me? The polarizing film in it works as expected, and there is very little color cast. Although I haven’t done a comparative test on light transmission, and reflectivity with their CPL filters, I did a fairly extensive comparison on UV filters, and the nano series was in the top tier—again, competing with filters that cost up to 4 times as much. So, I’m extrapolating that the coatings are just as effective on the polarizers. To be fair, I should mention that the newest of my “expensive” filters are at least 5 or 6 years old, and, as I said earlier, there’s been a lot of advancements in coatings made recently.
The cap, cleaning cloth and filter keeper are just bonuses. I’d rather get the older, round style K&F filter case rather than the larger box that this came in though.
01/10/2024
I got this for my bird lens, which has a UV filter, but needed a polarizer. I've been pleased with K&F Concept lens filters in the past, so I got this one. It works great! The threads go onto my lens smoothly, with no catches or false starts. The polarizer is multi-coated glass and it is clear and clean. No flaws that I can see. The materials it is made of are great quality and seem durable. I've had great luck with products from this company and they have proven their durability. It comes in a plastic case. You also get a microfiber cleaning cloth with it.
It enhances my photos of sky scenes. I also look forward to using this to try to get better images of migrating salmon in the river this winter. The polarizer helps a lot with the reflections on the water. That will be my main use of it, other than for bird photography. It really helps make the colors against the sky "pop" and makes my images better. I'm not a professional photographer; just a hobbyist. But, I think this polarizer is well worth the purchase. I am happy with it.
It enhances my photos of sky scenes. I also look forward to using this to try to get better images of migrating salmon in the river this winter. The polarizer helps a lot with the reflections on the water. That will be my main use of it, other than for bird photography. It really helps make the colors against the sky "pop" and makes my images better. I'm not a professional photographer; just a hobbyist. But, I think this polarizer is well worth the purchase. I am happy with it.
27/09/2024
As always, no complaints whatsoever with K&F lens filters. I own probably around a dozen lens filters from them, and they're all great. This one is no exception. Super clear, and came packaged very well.
26/09/2024
Overall a pretty good quality CPL filter. The additional lens cap, lanyard, and cleaning cloth are a nice bonus, too. The filter rotates quite smoothly, and screws on to my lens well. The glass is pretty clear, and doesn't seem to cause too much softness, although there still is a bit compared to no filter. The reduction in glare and sky darkening effect is quite significant, and is great for taking pictures of more stationary things. I wouldn't recommend these too much if you're taking pictures of moving objects, though, as panning the camera will change your angle with respect to the sun, and therefore will change the strength of the polarizing effect.
23/09/2024
This isn't something that I use often in my line of work as a wedding photographer but when I've needed it this is the polarizer that I've been going to in a pinch vs the one I was using prior to this. Easy to put on and the quality of the filter is fantastic. The glass is clean so I don't feel I lose quality when using this filter.
22/09/2024
I recently got my first modern digital camera, a Canon R50 with a kit lens, along with an RF 24-240 lens. I'm a bit of a klutz and had immediately picked up a K&F UV filter for my lens as damage protection. It has modestly helped for removing haze in SF Bay landscape shots but has added some ghosting to low-light shots (common to UV filters) and is mostly unnecessary in modern digital camera... As I mentioned, I keep it on to protect my expensive lens.
As soon as I saw this CPL I ordered it so that I can swap between them, depending on the situation. If I'm shooting at/around water, or at/through glass I put this filter on to get better, clearer shots.
I'm still working on my photographer's eye but, so far, I've not noticed any added distortion to color or clarity.
As for fitment/build quality it feels very premium for the price point. It doesn't bend or flex when I don't thread it just right, so I haven't mis-threaded it after 10-15 installs. The hydrophobic properties are good, too - I got caught off guard by a sprinkler and the filter shed all but a couple tiny beads of water that easily came off with a microfiber cloth in one swipe.
As soon as I saw this CPL I ordered it so that I can swap between them, depending on the situation. If I'm shooting at/around water, or at/through glass I put this filter on to get better, clearer shots.
I'm still working on my photographer's eye but, so far, I've not noticed any added distortion to color or clarity.
As for fitment/build quality it feels very premium for the price point. It doesn't bend or flex when I don't thread it just right, so I haven't mis-threaded it after 10-15 installs. The hydrophobic properties are good, too - I got caught off guard by a sprinkler and the filter shed all but a couple tiny beads of water that easily came off with a microfiber cloth in one swipe.
21/09/2024
It cancels out glare on shiny surfaces very well. I use it to take photos of vehicles and I can cancel out the reflection produced by the car windows and take clearer photos of the interior.
15/09/2024
So far, I've had good luck with K&F Concept products, and this polarizing filter seems to be a good choice, as well. I recently got a camera cage for my GoPro 12, and it has a regular round filter attachment for 52mm filters. Since I have two DSLR lenses that also use the 52mm size, I've been on the hunt for some decent filters that will work with the lenses and GoPro.
The filter is slim, but not as slim as some. Fortunately, I haven't seen any vignetting except in the GoPro's widest mode, which I expected. The filter rotates easily to dial in the polarizing effect is feels smooth. I also appreciate the bonus lens cap.
I haven't done extensive testing, but the filter appears to not alter the colors much, other than the natural color enhancements inherent to polarizing filters. Overall, I'm happy with this filter and have found it is much easier to use than the little square filters made specifically for GoPro cameras.
The filter is slim, but not as slim as some. Fortunately, I haven't seen any vignetting except in the GoPro's widest mode, which I expected. The filter rotates easily to dial in the polarizing effect is feels smooth. I also appreciate the bonus lens cap.
I haven't done extensive testing, but the filter appears to not alter the colors much, other than the natural color enhancements inherent to polarizing filters. Overall, I'm happy with this filter and have found it is much easier to use than the little square filters made specifically for GoPro cameras.
07/09/2024
The biggest issues I know about with K&F filters is color casting and/or poor image quality at extended zoom. I tested this filter on Tamron lenses from 20mm to 200mm with a 64MP sensor and to my eye neither of these issues are present. I'm not going to be spending a bunch of time pixel peeping and over analyzing because that's well beyond my level of caring. I'm getting the same level of detail in plant leaves with the filter on and off with the only noticeable difference being reduced glare. I'm happy with the filter and the 67mm option means I can use across a variety of Tamron Sony lenses.
04/09/2024