How do Rodenstock circular polarizers compare with B+W, Heliopan, and Hoya HD?
Asked 10/1/2012
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2 answers
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I’m choosing a high-quality 67mm circular polarizer and am comparing Rodenstock with B+W, Heliopan, and Hoya HD. My priorities are good transmission when the filter effect is minimal, neutral color, and strong anti-reflection coating. I’ve had good results with Hoya HD, but I’ve also seen reports that B+W and Heliopan may be more neutral or cleaner optically. Are Rodenstock polarizers generally considered comparable in quality, and how do they stack up against these other brands in real use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
1
My personal opinion is that Rodenstock, Heliopan and B+W are of the same quality and Hoya is one grade lower. They are mostly in same price range also.
I have like 6-7 good quality filters and they are mostly B+W, just one of them is Formatt.
Some reviews about Rodenstock says it creates a blue vignetting. I have a B+W B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filter and it's perfect. I didn't have any problems with it. No vignetting and it comes with a solid case. It also got 4.7 points out of 5 from 208 reviews which you may also read on BH Photo.
Rodenstock has no reviews at BH photo at the time. So I suggest bet on a well-known filter rather than an unpopular.
B+W also has a MRC Multi-Resistant Coating which reduces ghosting, flaring and haze. It's made of high quality Schott Glass.
Originally by user17818. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user17818
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the shared experiences here, Rodenstock is generally regarded as a premium option in the same class as B+W and Heliopan, while Hoya HD is seen by some users as slightly behind in color neutrality, even if it offers strong transmission.
The main practical differences mentioned were:
- B+W: repeatedly praised for neutral color, solid coatings, and reliable performance.
- Hoya HD: good light transmission, but some users noticed a green/yellow tint.
- Rodenstock: users reporting direct experience described it as excellent and suitable for top-end lenses, though there’s less widely available user feedback.
- Heliopan: grouped with B+W and Rodenstock as high-end.
If your top priorities are neutral rendering and anti-glare performance, the safest recommendation from these answers is B+W. If you already like the brighter transmission of Hoya HD, it may still be attractive, but color neutrality may be a tradeoff. Rodenstock appears to be a credible premium choice, just with fewer reviews and less broad feedback available.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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