B+W is a
well known
optics company that has been around since the end of WWII. More
recently, 1985, they merged with the well respected lens company
Schneider.
Over the years B+W has produced countless pieces of precision glass.
With the addition of several lenses requiring a 77mm filter, I
found myself looking for a polarizer. Not wanting to negate the
benefits
of ETTL metering, I started to look at two circular polarizers. The 77E
B+W and
the Heliopan 77mm Kaesemann. Because of the harsh environments the
filter would be used in, a sealed or Kaesemann was essential.
If you are shooting inside a studio you can save yourself a few hundred
dollars
by purchasing the non-Kaesemann version of this filter. In the end the
B+W
won out based on reputation and itsMulti-Resistant Coating (MRC) glass.
Several reviews stated that the MRC glass was extremely scratch
resistant as well as easy to care for.
Initial
impressions of
the filter were good. Tight tolerance machining, smooth operation and
amazing optics are not things you find in the lower grade filters. Just
holding the B+W you can feel the difference. The filter is very heavy
due to the laminates of glass and a substantial brass frame. Operation
is
very smooth with no signs of slop after extended use. The optical
quality is very good with no measurable distortion or cast created.
Under most shooting conditions I lose around 2/3 of a stop which is
acceptable.
In the
studio this
filter really shines. The stop down effect is easy to manage and the
filter handles almost all glare with ease. Under proper lighting you
should be able to remove any stray glare that manages to pop on when
shooting highly reflective objects with complex surfaces.
For
landscape you can
expect the traditional greener trees and bluer skies. Even shooting
nature the filter allows enough light to facilitate reasonably fast
shutter speeds while remaining neutral.
Above is a cropped shot of a pool light mounted on the side of a black
plaster pool.
Above is a close up showing how a polarizer can limit diffusion of
light off of plant leaves. Of course with a circular polarizer you can
block as little or as much stray light as you want. With any review of
this nature it is hard to judge a new product completely until it has
had time to age. If any issues arise, I will update this article in the
future.
As of the summer 2008, the filter has performed without issue for six
months having been exposed to its fair share of salt spray in that
time.
B+W
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