Customer Reviews

Zeikos ZE-CPL46 46mm Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Filter

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I ordered this Zeikos ZE-CPL46 46mm Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Filter because it was so cheap and the reviews were good. The next day I ordered a much more expensive Hoya - Filter - circular polarizer - 46 mm from Amazon. Well, I have tried both filters and can't see any difference between them optically. The Hoya seems to be made a little better. The Zeikos was a little lose and not quite as tight fitting on the adjustment collar. The Hoya threads were just a tiny bit longer which made it easier to get on. I took pictures with both of them. I can't see any difference. They both look good. They both did a good job of eliminating glare and give the pictures greener greens and make the sky more blue. I like them both.

This lens has made all the difference in my photos. The colors are so vivid even on the hazy days. I rarely have to take it off my camera unless I am inside or at night but I mostly take outdoor pictures. This was a cheap investment for the most brilliant colors I can get.

The optical quality seems fine and may be ok for some cameras, but on a new Panasonic Lumix FZ35, there is noticeable vignetting at the wide-angle settings (e.g. the filter is too thick and darkens the corner of the image), and under some lighting conditions, the camera hunts focus and is unable to lock. I will be ordering the Panasonic brand, which is thinner, even though more expensive.

Don't forget, if you buy this, and want to install it on a super zoom camera, you cannot put this on with the camera turned off. When you power the camera, the lens extends, that makes it possible to install. Polarization seems good, and it is multicoated.

This little filter was a real surprise. At the $8 price, I didn't expect much. But I was really surprised how well it works. It cut the glare from my lawn pond better than any of my other name brand filters. It's not the highest quality mounting, but it is a nice handling design and fits the FZ28 nicely. I didn't notice any deterioration in image quality in some moderate control tests. It is a little touchy for fine adjustment, but seems to get good results regardless of how closely you adjust. If you are looking for a low cost CPL to try, this one works. I've seen Zeicos filters recommended as a good low cost filter on other sites, I just didn't believe it until now.

I made a direct comparison of the Zeikos 46mm polarizer with a 49m Hoya HMC polarizer, mounted on my Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens. The Zeikos yielded an exposure factor of +1 stop, compared to using no filter, but the Hoya had an exposure factor of +2 stops. So the Zeikos is comparatively weak. The Hoya clearly gave more darkening to the blue sky.

The Zeikos introduced a slight reddish color cast to the image; the Hoya (and all other polarizers I have used) are color neutral.

I did not have a store window handy to test the Zeikos for removing reflections from window glass. But I have decided to not use this filter for photography.

Basically it does what it says, and improves quality of photos in direct sunlight. I bought this filter for the Panasonic Lumix FZ35, and it fits well. Although there is a built in rotating barrel on the camera, made for filters that do not rotate, this filter rotates by itself, and is smooth. A little cumbersome; switching from indoor to outdoor often is a hassle, and keeping the filter on is not an option due to lots of light reduction. I don't know if it is multi-coated, since I'm not a professional, but it is CPL, and works as advertised.

Works very well and far cheaper than any other alternative for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28. Cuts some glare off of surfaces, and improves contrast in outdoor settings. Glad I found it!

I bought this filter just to compare it to the similar filter with Polaroid branding sold on Amazon.
They are both pretty much the same; quite possibly made at the same place.
But the Polaroid mounting ring is thinner and allows the lens cap to be mounted when the camera is turned off on my Panasonic FZ35 (also fits FZ28).
The mount also looks better on the Polaroid filter.

A polarizing filter is not something that you would pemanently leave on your camera.
If you use this filter it will need to be removed to use your lens cap.
If you want to be able to use your cap when the camera is off, get the Polaroid version.
Other than that, this thing works and is a good deal.
I do not think it is multi-coated, nor is the Polaroid model.

Ignore the stars, I purchased this with the Panasonic FZ40 as recommended by Amazon during the camera search. It DOES NOT fit the FZ40 so do not buy for that camera.