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Polarizing filters test 2015

1 November 2015
Szymon Starczewski

2. B+W Circular-Pol E

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E

Another company with tradition and reputation which has to be defended. In our first test of filters high prices of their products were usually followed by good performance but there was one slip-up too. Today we are taking a closer look at 4 filters you can find the current line-up of B+W.


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Results of the test

Transmission and extinction coefficient

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E

  • Red color extinction coefficient: 2.73e-4; Score: 3.5/4
  • Green color extinction coefficient: 4.49e-4; Score: 3.5/4
  • Blue color extinction coefficient: 1.50e-2; Score: 0.5/4
  • Mean transmission of the whole spectrum: 33.68%; Score: 1.74/3
    Score: 9.24 / 11 pts
Flares

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E
Without filter

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E
With filter

Score: 6.75 / 7.5 pts

Scattering

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E

  • Luminance: 8.04
    Ocena: 5 / 5 pts
Vignetting
  • Vignetting difference: 4.59%
    Score: 3 / 5 pts
Homogeneity

Polarizing filters test 2015 - B+W Circular-Pol E

  • Without reservation
    Price: 5 / 5 pts

Final score: 29.0 / 37.5 pts (77.3%)

  • Overall ranking: 3rd place
  • Econo-ranking: 11th place

Design, usage and summary

We took this filter out of the box and there was already some grease on it which was difficult to remove. It is the weakest B+W models tested by us so far but still it features multi-coatings. Its profile is higher than that of the previously tested devices. The parts fit well together, the ring turns smoothly, evenly and with a moderate resistance; during its work you can hear a delicate whirr. In fact it is beyond reproach – after removing that grease of course.

The spectrum distribution characteristics are changeable but in the visible spectrum the filter keeps more or less a constant level. The polarizer works perfectly well in near infrared and its transmission is the highest there. It should perform well up to 870 nm. Very good extinction coefficients for green and red; a bit worse for violet although the amount of light that passes through is not big in that range.