Should I buy a slim or regular circular polarizer for a Nikon D7200 with 18-140mm lens?

Asked 1/31/2018

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I have a Nikon D7200 with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and want to buy a circular polarizer. Should I choose a slim or regular filter for this lens? I'm also wondering if there are compatibility issues with filter size and whether a larger filter can be used with step-up rings for future lenses.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

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The other answers discuss the linear/circular and how it plays with AF systems nicely. I wanted to chime in to talk about future proofing.

Having to rebuy the same equipment to fit your newer equipment is pointless. For example, if you did buy a 67mm filter to fit your 67mm lens, you'd be up a creek if you bought a fancy new wide angle lens that uses 72mm filters. (You would end up needing to buy another filter).

In order to future-proof, you'll want to take a look at your current lens line-up and any future lenses you might acquire (let's be realistic, yea?) and get the filter that will fit the largest one. Use Step Up rings for smaller lenses so that, ultimately, you only have to buy a single filter.

As for slim filters - I do believe they warrant consideration. Personally, I use the Formatt Hitech 100mm system on a Canon 16-35 f/4 for most of my landscapes. I get heavy vignetting at 16mm (full frame). Given it's a system, there's not much that I can do about it. But, you may run into a situation where a super wide lens vignettes a bit more with a Step Up Ring + Reg. Filter vs a Step Up Ring + Slim Filter. I'm not recommending you get a 100mm system - more so that, since you'll likely use step up rings, a slim filter may vignette less in this configuration - thus you have less work to do in post.

Also, keep in mind how often you'll put on and remove components. This additional wear-and-tear will be better combat by brass threaded rings and filters.

Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user67377

8y ago

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For your Nikon 18-140mm, either a slim or regular circular polarizer can work. The main difference is thickness: slim filters are made to reduce the chance of vignetting on very wide-angle lenses, while regular filters are easier to handle.

A slim polarizer can be a good future-proof choice if you may use it on wider lenses later. The tradeoffs are that slim filters can be harder to grip, especially with gloves, and some slim versions may not have front threads, so they must be the last filter in the stack.

Your 18-140mm lens uses a 67mm filter size. You can buy a 67mm polarizer directly, or buy a larger one for a future lens and use a step-up ring on this lens. That can save money if you plan to use one polarizer across several lenses.

Also, CPL and CIR-PL mean the same thing: circular polarizer.

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8y ago

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