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Polarizing filters test

10 August 2009
Szymon Starczewski

28. Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm

Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm
Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm
Price: 378 PLN


This brand really needs no introduction for those who had contact with cameras. It’s probably the most popular producer of alternative lenses for Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, Pentax and the Four-Thirds, apart from that it produces SLRs and compact cameras under its logo. Recently Sigma has bought Foveon, so it’s a real threat to all other lead producers of photography equipment. A sigma filter had to be in this test.

Results of the test

Transmission and extinction coefficient
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm


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Red color extinction coefficient: 5.86E-4 - Score: 3/4
Green color extinction coefficient: 6.73E-4 - Score: 3/4
Blue color extinction coefficient: 2.40E-2 - Score: 0.5/4
Mean transmission of the whole spectrum: 35.68% - Score: 2.14/3
Score:
8.64/15
Flares
Without filter
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm

With filter
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm

Score:
5.25/7.5
Scattering
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm

Luminance: 18.4
Score:
4.88/5
Vignetting
Edge darkening: 3.1%
Score:
3.83/5
Homogeneity
Polarizing filters test - Sigma DG Wide Circular PL 72 mm

Without reservation
Score:
5/5
Final score
Overall ranking: 5th place
Econo-ranking: 15th place
27.6/37.5 pts (73.6 %)
-1.11 pts

Usage

The filter didn’t create any problems during the tests. The ring turns smoothly and pleasantly.

Summary

5th place in the overall ranking (27.6/37.5)
The transmission is even in the majority of visible spectrum, decreases slightly for short waves section and rises by 10% for long-wave end of visibility. Violet color is not extinguished entirely, but it’s not a considerable problem. The polarizer becomes transparent in infrared. The extinction coefficient of about 6/10000 is not a bad result for a foil polarizer. C1 and C2 graphs indicate that we’re dealing with a quarter-wave plate of zeroth order designed for the middle of visible spectrum. Sigma’s results gave it place in the first five. Unfortunately, you need to pay dearly for the brand (378 PLN). Marumi/Fujiyama or Kenko filters, positioned higher in the ranking, cost much less. Quite apart from this fact, we’re dealing with a good optically filter, whose only visible flaw may be flares.

Filter for tests was lent by K-Consult.