B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating
by B + W
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant Coating
Customer Review: High Quality Polarizing Filter
Summary: 5 Stars
Paired this polarizing filter to my Canon 17-40mm F/4L lens on a Rebel XT (1.6x Crop) and it works great. As you turn the filter the change in the image through the viewfinder is night and day. Creates a nice blue sky and gives more "pop" and contrast to clouds. Also eliminates reflections from plant leaves (you really have to see it for yourself!) to create a nicely saturated green only a filter of this type can produce. Must have for any outdoor photographer.
The "Kasemann" designation from my research stands for B+W's edge sealing of the glass. This is to prevent humidity and other types of weather from separating the foils inside. Over time regular polarizers can become hazy, etc. from that very problem. Just buy this one to keep for life instead of spending 50 dollars every few years. The filter frame is made out of brass, unlike other filters that are made of aluminum. This aids with smooth operation and eliminates binding.
I'm not entirely sure however if the wide angle of the 17-40mm needs a "slim" glass element (some say use of a regular polarizer with an ultra wide angle can cause an uneven polarization effect, however they are not clear if its on a crop body like the Rebel XT I'm using wit with). Some say a slim filter isn't needed, some do. I will have to do more outdoor shooting at the widest focal length to find out. Even so, B+W also produces a slim Kasemann version of this filter as well. From what i've seen though, vignetting is not a problem with the 17-40mm + this filter on a crop body such as the Rebel XT.
NOTE: I have also read that the way B+W produces the glass/foils will cause a "ripple" reflection effect in the glass when viewed at certain angles. This is true from what i've seen with my filter. looking at the filter from an angle and using a desk lamp, one can see the surface of the filter is not completely smooth. B+W has stated this does not affect the quality of the pictures in any way. Perhaps this may have led the other reviewer to believe that this filter scratches easy. The MRC they use is supposed to be very good.
In any case, a 77mm is the perfect size, as many Canon lenses use the 77mm thread such as the 70-200mm F/2.8L, the 24-105mm F/4L, and more. Plus you can always use "step up" rings with your smaller lenses.
Customer Review: Simply phenomenal!
Summary: 5 Stars
Couldn't agree with "Surfdog's" review more. There is simply nothing to touch it, and believe me, in 38 years of photography, I've tried 'em all!
It's actually difficult to describe in words just how different this Kaesemann style of PL filter is from a regular one (B+W's other versions included). Two people may differ on their idea of the true color of a banana..... it's that kind of situation. But in my humble opinion, it does what every other polarizer does, only a heck of a lot more accurately.
I've been using Kenko's SMC versions, plus a standard B+W coated model for some years now, and although both are certainly very well made, they do have a tendency toward a slight color distortion, the Kenko in particular leaning toward a slightly purplish sky. However, with the purchase of this Kaesemann quite a while back, I discovered just how beautiful blue skies really can be! Not your overly-saturated Postcard type-blue, but an indescribable colour that takes your breath away.
HELIOPAN (who use the world famous Schott glass) have an equally good Kaesemann Polarizer, but it's considerably dearer for what is essentially the same style item, and although both have brass rings, the one on the B+W version tends not to bind quite so easily.
Expensive maybe, but the B+W version is incomparable in my view. Worth every cent.
February 2008 Supplement :
One word of warning. Take it very carefully when cleaning this filter, especially if you're inclined to use cleaning fluid & tissue. It scratches and marks far more easily than any other PL-C I've ever come across, and half the time, you just seem to be moving that oily cleaning fluid blur from one place to another !
Tread lightly, and use the blower brush as much as possible!
Otherwise, it's proving to be every bit as good as I first elaborated.
Customer Review: Top of the line Circ. Polarizer.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have quality glass, like the Canon L series, then you need quality filters. the B+W are made from ground optical glass, not a piece of plain glass like as you see in the tiffen and hoyas filters (even the expensive ones are still cheap grade glass). Only B+W and Heliopan put the time and $$ into making filters that are designed to be used with your quality lenses and not distort and reduce the optical quality of them. I have 2 MRC, 1 Kaesemann, and 1 "plain" or Normal one, and I love them. I have a Heliopan as well, and I prefer the B+W a little bit more as its a brass ring and not aluminum and thus does not bind up as easy, and thats important when you want to change filters quickly! If you use a cheap filter on a pro grade lens, you are wasting your money, on the lens and the filter as the filter just hurt your image quality, and thus you lowered the quality of your lens! In filters, like lenses, you get what you pay for!!!
I shoot in all kinda of weather conditions, from sunny and warm, to windy and cold or snowy, and I have never had any major issues with any of my B+W filters acting up! I prefer the MRC or even the Kaesemann over the entry level one, but even their entry level one is ground glass, so you still get a great quality filter at that price point.
Customer Review: Do not scrimp on your filters
Summary: 5 Stars
Once you have spent big money on a lens, DO NOT SCRIMP on the filters. B&W is the highest quality I have seen and I no longer buy any filters other than B&W.
The polarizing filter is a must have for a photographer. It brings down glare and brings up the color in the sky. On days where the sky is boring, SOMETIMES this filter can save a shot. It stops down your light by about 2 stops. I use it with a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
The Kaesemann is recommended as it is weather sealed. If you have a lens that is not weather sealed this helps, and if you have a lens that is, this just adds another level of protection.
The brass fitting of the B&W makes it easy to screw on and unscrew. Some other filters tend to bind, I have never had this problem with the B&W.
I have never owned the Hoya, but through the lens it is VERY similar (no preference), but I have heard good things. Still, I will never buy any filter other than a B@W.
Highly Recommended.
Customer Review: Absolute Must For Landscape Photographer
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm highly impressed with the quality and effective results of this polarizer. Saturated the blue skies as they should be, removes most of the reflection from water surfaces and glass (best when used at a glazing angle of approx 10-15 deg). I've shot a pic. with a 15mm fisheye and this polarizer hand held in front it. You can see it in the picture section. The difference between the polarized section of the filter and the non-polarized sections is so clear. You can even see the pebbles in the water thru. the polarizer. Also check out the difference in the sky color between the polarized and non-polarized sections.
I'm a hobbyist and like this product for what it does. Worth every penny. Yeah.. i know.. it's too expensive... Appropriat price for something like this should be below $100, even for a 77mm. The manufacturer makes a huge markup on this. But then, B&W quality speaks for itself. Guess.. that extra money spent once is worth it. Just buy it and then forget about the price... though I haven't been able to forget it till now. ;-)))