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Garry Black Photography

Question:

A question about polarizers: I have the Nikon 62m and a Cokin P. The Cokin fits my 300 f4 (82mm filter) and my 80-200 f2.8 (77mm filter) (I bought the Nikon before I had these two lenses). Do you think I should look at the drop-in polarizer? If so, where do I look for it? I have heard that they are expensive and difficult to get. Vistek told me that Nikon makes one but that it is only a special order. It may be cheaper than the Kirk one, but still they are not a giveaway.

I also don't have a UV protective filter for the front of the 300 (but I do have a 39mm UV), should I get one?

Answer:

You've got yourself into a fine mess with this one. I use a B+W polarizer (77mm) on the front of my 80-200; this is also a pretty expensive filter, but probably the best way to go. I find that I use this filter with my 24mm and 20mm wide angles with step down rings, I don't have to worry about vignetting with it. I happen to own a 82mm B+W polarizer, which I had bought for some of my Pentax 6x7 lenses. So whenever I need to use it on my 300mm lens (front element), I have one. However I rarely use a polarizer on the longer telephotos. It doesn't make much of a difference in the small part of the sky at the horizon, but it does take the reflected light off of leaves though, making them really stand out. For those few shots that you would want to use a polarizer on the 300mm lens you could use the Cokin. Or you could go all out a buy a 82mm B+W polarizer, which is really expensive. Filters are one of the highest mark-up items in a camera store.

If I were you I would get the 77mm circular polarizer. Tomorrow I will check to see if there is any vignetting if I place it in front of the 300mm lens and just hand hold it in place. I'll let you know the results.

I tried the 77mm filter on the 300mm lens today. I didn't see any vignetting, even when stopping down to F32. I took off the skylight filter and the polarizer fit nicely in place without touching the front element.

As for a protective UV filter it all depends on where you will be taking the lens. If it will be near water (rain, snow, splashing waves) or in blowing sand (sand dunes, beaches) I would get one.