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Polarizing filters test

10 August 2009
Szymon Starczewski

29. Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm
Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm
Price: 399 PLN


The American Tiffen has been present in the audio-video business for nearly 70 years. Through this time the company has mainly produced effect filters and accessories related to cinematography. Entering the cameras market was only a matter of time. Let’s see, then, how well the American “Made in Japan” polarizer did.

Results of the test

Transmission and extinction coefficient
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm


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Red color extinction coefficient: 4.13E-4 - Score: 3.5/4
Green color extinction coefficient: 4.70E-4 - Score: 3.5/4
Blue color extinction coefficient: 1.30E-2 - Score: 0.5/4
Mean transmission of the whole spectrum: 31.84% - Score: 1.37/3
Score:
8.87/15
Flares
Without filter
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

With filter
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

Score:
3/7.5
Scattering
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

Luminance: 60.3
Score:
3.32/5
Vignetting
Edge darkening: 2.5%
Score:
4.17/5
Homogeneity
Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

Visible streaks
Score:
3/5
Final score
Overall ranking: 16th place
Econo-ranking: 21st place
22.4/37.5 pts (59.7 %)
-6.49 pts

Usage

The filter arrived dirty. As opposed to some other filters in the test, this one was impossible to use before cleaning.

Polarizing filters test - Tiffen Cir. Polarizer 72 mm

If that’s not enough, in the box there was not a piece of foam or a foam rubber, and the bag with hygroscopic substance was thrown in loose. Luckily, after cleaning the surface of the filter was impeccable.

There were no problems in further usage. The ring works perfectly, very lightly and without leeway.

Summary

16th place in the overall ranking (22.4/37.5)
The transmission is constant 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 4.5/10000 is a good 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, with a slight shift towards shorter waves. The filter doesn’t impress by its optical quality. Visible flares, scattering and streakiness don’t look well compared to competitors. For 399 PLN you could expect more.

Filter for tests was lent by Pstryk.pl



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