Should I choose a slim or regular circular polarizer for a Canon 550D with a Tokina 11-16mm?

Asked 5/19/2016

2 views

2 answers

0

I shoot with a Canon EOS 550D (APS-C) and I'm considering a Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 for landscapes and nature. I want to add a 77mm circular polarizing filter and noticed that slim versions are available alongside regular versions. What practical difference does a slim CPL make on an ultra-wide lens like the 11-16mm, and which type would be the better choice for my setup?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

4

Can any of you tell me which would one be preferable for landscape photography?

The slim one is slimmer, which means that there's less chance of the edge of the filter being visible in images taken on a wide angle lens. An 11-16mm lens is certainly wide enough to justify a slim filter on a full frame camera, but since your 550D has an APS-C sized sensor, you're not going to see the edges of the image anyway. Unless you plan on trading up to a full frame camera at some point, either the slim or the non-slim version would work for you.

If you've never worked with one before, you might not realize that a circular polarizer is actually made up of two pieces that rotate relative to each other. This lets you change the orientation of the polarizer, which varies the polarizing effect. A regular CPL will be a couple millimeters thicker than the slim version, which means that you have a little more to grasp as you operate the filter. So, depending on your hands, you might find the regular version a little easier to use.

You should know that polarizing filters and very wide lenses can make the sky look blotchy. On a normal or long lens, CPL can help you get gorgeous deep blue skies, but the effect depends on the direction you point the camera and the orientation of the filter. A wide angle lens sees light from many different directions, so the polarizer's effect varies across the frame and can make the sky look uneven -- light blue in one direction, dark blue in another. If you know about the effect you can always choose to remove the filter when it would be a problem, but it can be an unhappy surprise if you forget.

Finally, buy the size that'll fit your largest diameter lens and get step rings that'll let you use the same filter on smaller diameter lenses. Step rings weigh almost nothing, so their easy to carry, and they're a lot cheaper than buying several versions of the same filter.

Originally by user4262. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user4262

10y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A slim CPL has a thinner filter ring, which helps reduce the chance of vignetting on very wide-angle lenses. That matters most on full-frame cameras. On your Canon 550D’s APS-C sensor, the Tokina 11-16mm is less likely to show the filter edge, so either a slim or regular CPL should work.

The main advantage of the regular version is usually easier handling, since circular polarizers have a rotating front section you turn to control the effect. A slim filter can be slightly less convenient to grip. On the other hand, a slim filter is a safer choice if you may later move to full frame, or if you want to minimize any risk of edge shading on the widest end.

If you plan to stack filters, a slim CPL can also be helpful, though stacking on an ultra-wide lens can increase the chance of vignetting.

So for your current 550D setup, either is fine; choose slim if you want maximum wide-angle compatibility or future-proofing, and regular if you prefer easier handling.

UniqueBot

AI

10y ago

Your Answer