Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter
The 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter from Nikon is an upgraded version of the original Nikon Circular Polarizer. This filter is now slimmer in design leaving the front and rear threads the same size as opposed to the original version that featured a larger front thread. The filter is now multi-coated which is a benefit in that it minimizes any flare and glare that reaches the sensor or film plane of your camera. This means more saturation and clearer images that are more crisp and contrasty.
The front ring rotates with the polarization visible in the viewfinder or on your LCD screen. When shooting on a bright day, this means you can control the "blueness" of the sky as well as having control of how distinct you want the cloud formations. For the outdoor shooter, this filter is a must since it is the only way to make a blue sky bluer. In addition, when shooting into water or glass, you can minimize or eliminate the reflections often associated with landscape or scenic photography. Therefore, if you're shooting a store window or inside a museum into a showcase, glass obstructions will no longer be a problem. A polarizer tends to have its maximum effect when used at right angle to the sun. A polarizing filter, along with a UV filter should be a part of everyone's gear.
Note! Circular polarizers are specifically designed for use with auto-focus SLR cameras (They will also work on manual systems without problems)
- This version of the filter is now slimmer than the original version that had a larger front thread. Presently, both front and rear threads are the same size
- The glass is now multi-coated minimizing flare and glare on the sensor or film plane
- Effective with cameras that use beam splitters in the path of the TTL light meter and with AF cameras
- This filter eliminates ultraviolet rays from outdoor shots as well as polarizing the light to remove reflections, and increase color saturation, without affecting the overall color balance
| Type | Circular Polarizing II Filter |
| Size | 52mm |
| Grade | Not Applicable |
| Filter Factor | Between 2.3 and 2.8 (approx. +1.3 stops) |
| Multi-Coated | Yes |
| Rotating | Yes |
| Effect | Removes reflections and increases color saturation without affecting the overall color balance |
| Application | Nature, travel, outdoor photography |
| Color Temperature | Not Applicable |
| Construction | Glass |
| Front Filter Thread Size | 52mm |
| Front Lens Cap Size | 52mm |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 43 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Clear optics (36)
- Easily mounted (31)
- Consistent effect (29)
- Strong construction (28)
- Firm mount (27)
Cons
Best Uses
- Image manipulation (15)
- Color correction (12)
- Lens protection (11)
- UV protection (11)
- Artwork (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (23), Casual photographer (7), Semi-pro photographer (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (18)
Most Liked Positive Review
Best On The Market
Three reasons why this is by far the best CP on the market: One. It can be used with wide-angle lenses without narrowing of the field of view. The actual filter is slightly larger...Read complete review
Three reasons why this is by far the best CP on the market: One. It can be used with wide-angle lenses without narrowing of the field of view. The actual filter is slightly larger than the diameter of your filter mount. Two. Nikon uses a special process for applying the filter. I won't go into the technical aspects, but it makes it so the two pieces of glass can be ultra thin which reduces unwanted desharpening. Three. Most CP filters reduce the amount of light coming into your lens by around 2 stops. This one is barely over 1 stop.
This CP is a must have for landscapes, cityscapes, haze, glare, reflection, rainbows, waterfalls, and any situation where you want to increase color saturation.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not what I expected
I was expecting a very dramatic look to my shots with the polarizer. The blues to be brighter and bluer, the skys to appear more dramatic. It wasn't. It was a very slight ...Read complete review
I was expecting a very dramatic look to my shots with the polarizer. The blues to be brighter and bluer, the skys to appear more dramatic. It wasn't. It was a very slight variation.
I didn't like the look when people entered my shot. This was not what I was looking for so I returned it. I would probably have kept it if I was into doing landscape work but, I rarely do.
The build quality was decent. There is a certain technique to using one of these filters. The outside must be rotated to get a certain desired effect. The look changes as you do, your relationship to the angle of the sun also has a change to the final effect. I did not want to waste the time and energy to figure it out, especially when I found myself scrambling to remove it everytime I wanted to take picture of people which is 99% of the time. The filter is very delicate and tiny. I felt like I was threading a needle everytime I was putting it on in the field.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 43 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Clear Optics
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Does what's it's supposed to do.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Great product
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Weak Effect
Best Uses
- Artwork
- Color Correction
- Enhances clouds
- For dull Sky
- Image Manipulation
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Nice glass from Nikon ,does not vignettes on most 52mm filter size Nikon lenses ,if your lens glass is large better to use 62mm with a B+W step up ring.
Works fine on 50mm 1.4 AF-D ,55mm 2.8 AI-s ,24mm 2.8 AF-D ,35mm F1.8 AF-S G DX
Works best on scattered clouds showing some blue sky patches.
Shoot in RAW for getting more details ,this filter helps a lot for in camera touch up.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Color Correction
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Great for filtering out that sun glare and get lovely water shots.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Good qualityprice
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
To use on 52 mm diameter lenses. Works very well with Nikkor lenses.
Seriously improve the quality render of the lenses.
A must have for precious and fine amateurs of photography.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Outer diameter is 54.9mm. Lens hood and lens cap can be used on a Panasonic 14-45 (m4/3 lens) without problem with this filter attached.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Color Correction
- Image Manipulation
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Pro grade polarizer from Nikon. Slim design that works very well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Protects the lens
- Strong Construction
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
[...] The filters work great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Great product but very sensitive to finger prints and soiling. Have to be very careful with how you handle the lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Excellent filter - very effective in reducing any galre from water & glass as expected. This is my first circular polarizing filter and I like how easy it is to use. I'm using it on a D90 with a 35mm lens - typical Nikon quality, worth the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Color Correction
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Adds some pop to my photos.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Why save 20 bucks for an inferior polarizer - buy the Nikon your pictures will thank you.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
If you google reviews on CPLs you'll find that this one along with Heliopan Multi-Coated (SH-PMC) and B+W Kaeseman(MRC) are the very best. The Nikon CPL II has a better price tag though. Brilliant optics, slim (for your wide angle lenses), well constructed mount, ease to rotate ring.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
I use this filter with my nikon 24mm f/2.8 ais. This filter is very thin and works well with the lens but sometimes it is too cool. So I switch to Hoya warm CPL if necessary. But if you use a digital camera, you can just change your white balance. Highly recommend!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Mounted
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Weak Effect
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
This seems to be a good product. It didn't make as big a difference in the "color pop" as I anticipated, but that may not have been the fault of the lens, but rather the conditions.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Works good Easy to use
Cons
- None
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Filter is easy to put onto the lens, and works well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Very thin design
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscapescenery
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
There's nothing I don't love about this filter... although who wouldn't mind if it were a little less expensive? It is wonderfully thin and comes in the usual (i.e. terrific) Nikon filter case. I love the fact that it is so nice and thin. It would be a great candidate for those looking for a thin polarizer to use with a wide angle lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
Cons
Best Uses
- Color Correction
- Image Manipulation
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
Despite the terrible case the filter comes in, it is easy to attach to use with my Nikon D5000. It threads nicely to the end of either of the kit lenses, and still allows for the dust cap. I've taken a few photos with it, and the results are very nice.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
- Firm Mount
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Image Manipulation
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
A must for all landcape photographers. By simply turning the ring it allows you to select the desired intesity to give the photograph the punch to stand out.
Pros
- Clear Optics
- Consistent Effect
- Easily Mounted
Cons
Best Uses
- Lens Protection
- UV Protection
Comments about Nikon 52mm Circular Polarizer II Filter:
This product was ordered online, from Canada, [...] the product was going to a remote island in the Fiji's via a network of travellers reaching it's final destination by sailboat... (all of this last minute, requiring a get it done attitude)The Polarizer lens ... was the right one, thank you to the website for providing the extra critical information for the lenses fitting, [...]... the product does everything specified and a bit more.
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Filter pouch
- Price: $9.95
Care & Cleaning
- Price: $4.99
Caps & Wrenches
- Price: $3.95
What's in the Box
- Plastic Storage Case
- One-Year Warranty
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