B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC?

RobWithers · 18th October 2005

Hey all,

I would just like your opinion on these filters. Both polarizers...both good, but which is better...and why?

B+W Käsesemann MRC Polarizer
Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer

Also, some others from other forums claim the B+W Käsesemann MRC coating is not as good as the regular B+W MRC Polarizer...have any of you heard of this?

Thanks,

Rob

Dennis · 18th October 2005

Not sure about Heliopan now but the Kasemann from B+W sucks.
I ordered it once and did not take, instead got the Nikon slim. Much better

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Hey all,

I would just like your opinion on these filters. Both polarizers...both good, but which is better...and why?

B+W Käsesemann MRC Polarizer
Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer

Also, some others from other forums claim the B+W Käsesemann MRC coating is not as good as the regular B+W MRC Polarizer...have any of you heard of this?

Thanks,

Rob

RobWithers · 18th October 2005

Sucks...those are strong words...why did it suck? What was wrong with it?

eric69 · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Hey all,

I would just like your opinion on these filters. Both polarizers...both good, but which is better...and why?

B+W Käsesemann MRC Polarizer
Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer

Also, some others from other forums claim the B+W Käsesemann MRC coating is not as good as the regular B+W MRC Polarizer...have any of you heard of this?

Thanks,

Rob

IS the "B+W Käsesemann MRC" made of 'plastic' material instead of glass? Personally, I'm using both the Nikon Poly'er and the B+W MRC Poly'er. Both are good, but with personal preference towards Nikon's. A friend is using Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer, which I think is glossly over-priced with the same quality as Nikon's. But my friend sweared by it...

RobWithers · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by eric69

IS the "B+W Käsesemann MRC" made of 'plastic' material instead of glass? Personally, I'm using both the Nikon Poly'er and the B+W MRC Poly'er. Both are good, but with personal preference towards Nikon's. A friend is using Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer, which I think is glossly over-priced with the same quality as Nikon's. But my friend sweared by it...

Nope...is B+W's highest quality polarizer...edge sealed using Kaesemann polarizing foil...only $10 than the MRC version...supposed to be better (according to B+W)

Dennis · 18th October 2005

That is what I thought that's why I ordered. Suppose to be better than Nikon.
Yep it is edge sealed etc but the surface coating leaves much to be desired.
It seems to me that their normal CP are better than the Kaesemann.

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Nope...is B+W's highest quality polarizer...edge sealed using Kaesemann polarizing foil...only $10 than the MRC version...supposed to be better (according to B+W)

RobWithers · 18th October 2005

Originally Posted by Dennis

That is what I thought that's why I ordered. Suppose to be better than Nikon.
Yep it is edge sealed etc but the surface coating leaves much to be desired.
It seems to me that their normal CP are better than the Kaesemann.

Dennis, what is it that you didn't like about the Kaesemann? You say that it wasn't satisfactory...why?

thx

Dennis · 18th October 2005

The coating and finishing is bad.

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Dennis, what is it that you didn't like about the Kaesemann? You say that it wasn't satisfactory...why?

thx

RobWithers · 19th October 2005

Dennis

1) What was wrong with the coating?

2) Did it not clean well?

3) Was there too much reflections...too much lens flare?

4) Are you sure your Kaesemann was "Multi-resistant Coated" and not "Multi-Coated" (two completely different coatings...one being MUCH better than the other...Multi-Coated is their old technique)?

Thanks

Rob

Dennis · 19th October 2005

Coating was uneven, you can see it. Difficult to explain but you will know it once you see it.
It looks like bumps. Cannot be cleaned off. Did not even try it after looking at the coating so not sure on reflection and flare. Was too disapointed to check if it was multi-resistant or not. My consideration was to get the best CP that can be offered at that time. My recommendation is to get the Nikon CPII ones.

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Dennis

1) What was wrong with the coating?

2) Did it not clean well?

3) Was there too much reflections...too much lens flare?

4) Are you sure your Kaesemann was "Multi-resistant Coated" and not "Multi-Coated" (two completely different coatings...one being MUCH better than the other...Multi-Coated is their old technique)?

Thanks

Rob

RobWithers · 19th October 2005

Ok...thanks Dennis

Moonstone · 20th October 2005

Sort of came across this review of circular polarizer at http://www.the-digital-picture.com This person who reviewed it mentioned:

Of specific note to B+W Circular Polarizer Filter users: The surface of B+W CP Filters looks mottled - almost deformed - when held at the right angle under the right lighting. This is normal. Here is B+W/Schneider Optics' explanation of the anomaly ...

It is a known cosmetic side effect (artifact) of the high performance polarizing foils that Schneider/B+W uses in its True-Pols to produce a "ripple reflection" to the human eye when viewing high intensity reflected light that "bounces" off the actual polarizing foil. This is simply a "reflected artifact" and is not transmitted through the lens.

This effect is apparent when viewing the filter under certain specific lighting conditions (such as a bright table light being reflected off the polarizing foil's surface from 45 degrees behind the viewer). It appears as a slight visual "rippling" appearance in the virtual surface of the foil. You cannot see this effect under any other viewing conditions. It is an artifact from a reflection coming from the polarizing film.

This phenomenon shows up in the visual appearance of the filter only and has no affect on the photograph (transmitted) image at all.

RobWithers · 21st October 2005

Originally Posted by Dennis

Coating was uneven, you can see it. Difficult to explain but you will know it once you see it.
It looks like bumps. Cannot be cleaned off. Did not even try it after looking at the coating so not sure on reflection and flare. Was too disapointed to check if it was multi-resistant or not. My consideration was to get the best CP that can be offered at that time. My recommendation is to get the Nikon CPII ones.

Hey Moonstone,

I read about the ripple effect about a week back but Dennis seemed so sure it was defective...kinda odd that he didn't even try out the filter, but whatever makes you happy. I know the Nikons are good CP, but they are even more expensive than B+W's and you are most definitely paying for the name Nikon...just the same way brand-name (Canon, Nikon, etc...) lenses are marked up.

Dennis · 21st October 2005

Mmm not sure about the B+W now if it is not a defect but I will not take the chance, I believe Heliopan does not have this problem as I used them before but now don't know where to get them other than the shop at Chinatown (not even sure if they still sell them). Nikon is good, not just for the brand. I don't take chances as I don't buy many filters now that I use digital but CP is a essential one, so get the best you can afford.

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Hey Moonstone,

I read about the ripple effect about a week back but Dennis seemed so sure it was defective...kinda odd that he didn't even try out the filter, but whatever makes you happy. I know the Nikons are good CP, but they are even more expensive than B+W's and you are most definitely paying for the name Nikon...just the same way brand-name (Canon, Nikon, etc...) lenses are marked up.

espn · 21st October 2005

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Hey Moonstone,

I read about the ripple effect about a week back but Dennis seemed so sure it was defective...kinda odd that he didn't even try out the filter, but whatever makes you happy. I know the Nikons are good CP, but they are even more expensive than B+W's and you are most definitely paying for the name Nikon...just the same way brand-name (Canon, Nikon, etc...) lenses are marked up.

The Nikon CPIIs are about $40 more than a B+W CP.

Moonstone · 21st October 2005

Okay, I will go for the B+W Käsesemann and see how it works. But so far Cathay Photo doesn't have the stock, need to go down personally to place a special order. So will let you guys know if it good or not.

Dennis · 21st October 2005

Yeh, nobody have stock and must special order.
The last time I waited for quite sometime before it arrives.

Originally Posted by Moonstone

Okay, I will go for the B+W Käsesemann and see how it works. But so far Cathay Photo doesn't have the stock, need to go down personally to place a special order. So will let you guys know if it good or not.

RobWithers · 21st October 2005

Originally Posted by Moonstone

Okay, I will go for the B+W Käsesemann and see how it works. But so far Cathay Photo doesn't have the stock, need to go down personally to place a special order. So will let you guys know if it good or not.

Not sure what Cathay Photo is but B&H might have them for you...depending on the size.

I am planning to order the 77mm but the only one they have stock is the slim Kaesemann and I want the front threads so I have to wait....plus they're on vacation for a week anyway...here is a link to B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=10&Submit.y=5

espn · 21st October 2005

Originally Posted by RobWithers

Not sure what Cathay Photo is but B&H might have them for you...depending on the size.

I am planning to order the 77mm but the only one they have stock is the slim Kaesemann and I want the front threads so I have to wait....plus they're on vacation for a week anyway...here is a link to B&H

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=10&Submit.y=5

That's where the $40 extra for Nikon CIR-PL II comes in, it's the slim version, and has front threads.

You're not local eh?

RobWithers · 21st October 2005

Originally Posted by espn

That's where the $40 extra for Nikon CIR-PL II comes in, it's the slim version, and has front threads.

You're not local eh?

Actually the Nikon is $25 cheaper...I was wrong...as you can see by this link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...16&Submit.y=10

I'm not sure what that means in terms of quality between the 2 brands...I know everywhere else the Kaeseman is above $210US and here in Canada, $330US....B&H seem to be able to get extreamly good prices (probably becuase of their buying power.

I don't know much about the Nikon polarizer as I am a Canon guy but what type of glass is it? What type of metal is the ring made from? Is it multi-coated? Is it edge-sealed? I dunno...

Rob

View Poll Results: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC?
B+W Käsesemann MRC	11	32.35%
Heliopan SH-PMC	5	14.71%
B+W MRC	13	38.24%
View Results	5	14.71%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

18th October 2005	#1
RobWithers New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Hey all, I would just like your opinion on these filters. Both polarizers...both good, but which is better...and why? B+W Käsesemann MRC Polarizer Heliopan SH-PMC Polarizer Also, some others from other forums claim the B+W Käsesemann MRC coating is not as good as the regular B+W MRC Polarizer...have any of you heard of this? Thanks, Rob

18th October 2005	#3
RobWithers New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	Re: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Sucks...those are strong words...why did it suck? What was wrong with it?

19th October 2005	#9
RobWithers New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	Re: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Dennis 1) What was wrong with the coating? 2) Did it not clean well? 3) Was there too much reflections...too much lens flare? 4) Are you sure your Kaesemann was "Multi-resistant Coated" and not "Multi-Coated" (two completely different coatings...one being MUCH better than the other...Multi-Coated is their old technique)? Thanks Rob

19th October 2005	#11
RobWithers New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 20	Re: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Ok...thanks Dennis

20th October 2005	#12
Moonstone Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woodlands Posts: 464	Re: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Sort of came across this review of circular polarizer at http://www.the-digital-picture.com This person who reviewed it mentioned: Of specific note to B+W Circular Polarizer Filter users: The surface of B+W CP Filters looks mottled - almost deformed - when held at the right angle under the right lighting. This is normal. Here is B+W/Schneider Optics' explanation of the anomaly ... It is a known cosmetic side effect (artifact) of the high performance polarizing foils that Schneider/B+W uses in its True-Pols to produce a "ripple reflection" to the human eye when viewing high intensity reflected light that "bounces" off the actual polarizing foil. This is simply a "reflected artifact" and is not transmitted through the lens. This effect is apparent when viewing the filter under certain specific lighting conditions (such as a bright table light being reflected off the polarizing foil's surface from 45 degrees behind the viewer). It appears as a slight visual "rippling" appearance in the virtual surface of the foil. You cannot see this effect under any other viewing conditions. It is an artifact from a reflection coming from the polarizing film. This phenomenon shows up in the visual appearance of the filter only and has no affect on the photograph (transmitted) image at all. Last edited by Moonstone; 20th October 2005 at 09:20 PM.

21st October 2005	#16
Moonstone Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woodlands Posts: 464	Re: B+W Käsesemann MRC or Heliopan SH-PMC? Okay, I will go for the B+W Käsesemann and see how it works. But so far Cathay Photo doesn't have the stock, need to go down personally to place a special order. So will let you guys know if it good or not.