I can buy a Vivitar brand polarizing filter from Walmart for less than $13, or I can buy a different brand from a photo store in the range of $60 to up over a $100. Instinct tells me that the Vivitar filter will not be as good, but why? Does it have to do with coating or is there another reason? Why should I avoid using the Vivitar brand filter? They seem like a reputable company, no?
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1\$\begingroup\$ Have you looked at photo.stackexchange.com/questions/3632/… ? \$\endgroup\$– OlivierCommented Mar 24, 2016 at 19:08
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2\$\begingroup\$ Also, note that Vivitar hasn't actually existed as anything other than a branding badge since 2008. \$\endgroup\$– junkyardsparkleCommented Mar 25, 2016 at 7:33
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\$\begingroup\$ @PinhollowEuri You don't need to comment when you edit your answer. That will a) be marked on the answer itself and b) bump the post up to the front page again so people will notice. \$\endgroup\$– mattdmCommented Mar 26, 2016 at 13:56
1 Answer
A filter may be not neutral (either at all or with respect to certain "filter vs light polarization plane" orientations) - that is, white balance will be shifted sideways.
A filter may be not coated - that is, the image contrast will be lower in certain conditions.
A filter may be not circular - that is, may cause problems with AF of specific cameras (and this is not the case - the filter which you gave link to is linear+circular).
However, I am using some cheap polarizer for casual photographs and I did not regret it even once, even with sun shining inside frame.
I have also checked the claim about light transmission from this answer. My cheap "Green.L" filter (not even coated) looses 1,32 stop of light. It is almost same as Hoya HD (which looses same amount of light judging by some reviews). It may be different with other models though.