There's a massive difference in price between your regular filter and multi-coated filters. Does anyone here swear by either one? Do you think multi-coated are worth the extra $ (in many cases twice the price)?

I'm buying a Circular Polarizer, and am torn between the Hoya blue series (the ones made in Japan), or something a bit more upscale like a B+W (German).

Which brings me to another interesting point - I've also heard Japanese cameras should stick to Japanese-made filters. And that otherfilter, German B+W for example, are a waste of money and dont give you any better visuals with the Japanese-made optics of the lens. What's up with that?

If you want best contrast ( lowest glare/reflections) with the filter in front, go for a multicoated filter and don't waste your money for a circular get a linear, if you want to use it for video only.

Yes I'll be using it for video only, however you're the first to say go linear. I don't use auto focus much, but everyone else praises circular. Not long ago a couple of board members claimed a better picture with the circular. What are your reasons?

Multi coated filters are vastly superior to single coated filters at reducing flare, ghost images and a multitude of other optical anomalies. Get the best filter you can afford. The German filters are superior to the other brands in almost every respect. They start with better and different (blanks) glass. The coatings are better and so are the metal components (mounting ring, retainer).

The subject of circular vs. linear is a personal one based on your usage, equipment and personal perspective.

Jeff

Circular polarisers...difficult to bring (SLR) people back to reality...Apart from the extra wavelength and angle of incidence dependent retarder layer, and the higher price, there are no drawbacks when using circ polars.