Customer Reviews

Zeikos ZE-FLK46 46mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This filter set was advertised as "mult-coated". None of the filters are coated. I do coatings in my job, so I speak from experience. Even so, it is a good deal.

This filter set is working fine for me, and one certainly can't beat the price. Reviewers have noted some problems; let me add my two cents' worth:

1. There is no problem attaching these filters to a Panasonic Lumix FZ35 if one follows Panasonic's instructions for attaching filters. There is one fact, however, that another reviewer mentioned in a comment, which anyone attaching any standard filters to a Lumix FZ35 should know: the ring into which the filters screw, itself is free-turning. If you are not aware of this (as I was not), you will wonder why the filter never seems to screw in completely. The solution is simply to hold the free-turning ring as you screw in the filter; then you will find that it screws in perfectly and completely.

2. On the issue of whether the polarizing filter is linear or circular, it looks to me as if it is linear (and am I missing something, or isn't linear what most people want anyway?). The description should be corrected.

3. These filters show no obvious signs of anti-reflective coating; as another reviewer has noted, they seem to reflect as much light as ordinary glass. Furthermore, the product packaging makes no mention of special coatings. Again, the description on Amazon and at Cameta Camera should be corrected. They are still good filters, though; and one would have to pay several times the price to get the special coating. An unfortunate result of the lack of anti-reflective coating is that it is not advisable to use these filters when shooting into the light and thus it's probably not a great idea to leave the UV filter on all the time, which is what most of us would like to do in order to protect the lens. On the other hand, I have used UV filters lacking anti-reflective coatings for a long time with little noticeable ill-effect; but I suspect that I could have had even clearer pictures in some situations had a bothered to remove the UV filter. So, in short, I don't consider it a big deal; but I certainly respect those who are willing to pay the premium for an anti-reflective coating.

4. The filter for use with fluorescent lighting serves little purpose in this age of digital photography. If the camera's own automatic white balance fails to take the green out, the fastidious photographer can fix it in any PC or Mac photo-editing software, much of which is available for free. Given the lack of anti-reflective coating, I would recommend against digital photographers' using the fluorescent filter; it's not worth even the small effort to attach it or the ever-so-slight haze it might add. For those still using film, this is a valuable addition to the set, however. At this price, if only two out of the three filters is useful, one still gets more than his/her money's worth.

This filter kit is described as having a circular polarizer. This is false, it is a linear polarizer. I had read reviews stating this, so I expected a linear polarizer that is what I received.

This kit can be useful if you are aware of the limitations and the false description of the polarizer.

The coatings (I'm not sure if they are really mulit-coated) are relatively effictive in reducing the added flare from the filter but are certainly not the best available.

The FLD filter is of marginal usefulness, it may not be any better than adjusting the white balance. It does not seem to filter out the multiple peaks from flourescent lamps, but is more of a broad band filter.

If you are buying these to go with the DMC-FZ35, don't. They don't screw in & just fall out. Totally useless.

I recently purchased these to be used with my Panasonic DMC-fz28. All filters attach securely, and retract while attached to facilitate use of stock lens cap. I haven't noticed any distortions or flares using both the UV filter and polarizing filter in heavy snow around Colorado. Appears to be a good product, and for the price? You should get a set.

These filters may be multi-coated, but they reflect the same amount of light as plain glass, and will thus degrade photos.

Cameta Camera says: "The filter kit we have sent you were multi-coated as they are packaged from the manufacturer and we do not open these. If you are unhappy with these filters please be so kind as to return the equipment in its original packaging with any and all original packaging materials. Please be sure to include a copy of your receipt, as well as a brief note describing the reason for the return."

They took the manufacturer's word, but you shouldn't. They are NOT anti-reflective coated.

I use these filters for my Lumix FZ28. They are good quality and come with a nice hard leather case.

I purchased this filter set for my Panasonic HDC-TM700 camcorder. They fit snugly and do what they are supposed to do. Admittedly, I bought this set just for the UV filter to protect my lens. The polarizing filter and fluorescent filter work fine and the set comes in a velvet lined hard case with partitions for each filter. What makes me really happy is the low price.

There seems to be much discussion about the polarizing filter. The picture is correct. It is a linear polarizing filter (PL), and not a circular polarizing filter (CPL) as stated in the product title. Now that you know that, don't sweat it - because it won't matter anyway.

Here's the skinny. If you will not be using the polarizing filter on an auto-focusing SLR (or DSLR), then you don't need a CPL - it won't make a difference. You see, linear PL filters will mess up your metering/auto-focus if you are using the filter on a camera that has a partially reflective mirror. Point and shoot cameras and camcorders don't have such mirrors. I can't name any SLRs/DSLRs that take a 46mm filter, so I suspect that most if not all of the potential buyers of this filter set will have NO problem with the PL filter.

As previous reviewer experienced, came with PL instead of the CPL listed in product description. I don't understand why Amazon can't seem to correct the description.

Got these for my Fz28 as well, they seem to do the job, fit like a glove, but dust cap and polorizer wont fit, UV is skinnier and cap goes on without a problem.