Kenko RealPro Circular Polarising C-PL Filter Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The new Kenko RealPro series of filters features a water resistant anti-stain coating, and the circular polarising filter is the classic filter if you want darker skies, and reduced reflections. The filter comes in a protective plastic case that also offers UV protection for the filter, and is available for around £80 for the 58mm filter reviewed here.

Kenko RealPro C-PL Filter Handling and Features

The new Kenko Realpro filters come in a small case with UV protection, and instructions on the back of the case let you know what the key features of the filter are. When you get the filter from the retailer, the case is sealed with two silver stickers, which means you can be sure that the filter hasn't been tampered with or used before getting to you. 

The filter has an anti-stain coating, an anti-reflection multi-coating, plus black frames on the metal and glass, which should reduce the chance of reflection from oblique angles. The filter has a front thread so you can screw additional filters on to the front, and you can put your lens cap onto the filter. The frame is constructed from aluminum, and is wide-angle lens friendly as its low-profile means vignetting shouldn't occur and we had no problems removing or fixing the filter to the front of a camera lens, which simply screws on. 

Key Features

• Anti-stain coating (ASC)
• Anti-reflection multi-coating
• Water repellent
• Black almite frame
• Black rimmed glass
• Low profile filter frame
• Knurling edge frame
• Front filter thread

There is a knurled edge on the frame of the filter, which makes it easy to attach and detach the filter from your lens, and this frame is solid and well built. The anti-stain coating works well, and if you get any water, grease, ink or marks on the front, it's easy to clean this off with a lens cloth or LensPen FilterKlear. One of the ways we tested how easy the filter was to clean was by drawing on the front of the filter with an ink pen, and this simply wiped straight off with a lens cloth.

Kenko RealPro C-PL Filter Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the product. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Kenko REALPRO CIR-PL Filter Sample Photos

Using the circular polarising filter, we were able to give the image more contrast with darker skies, and this makes buildings stand out as more dominant in images. The filter added a little bit of lens flare when shooting with the sun in the frame, but this was not a massive issue, unlike when we tested a number of generic filters. We also used the filters for water shots, reducing reflections and improving our waterfall shot.

The Kenko RealPro filters are water repellant, and resistant to stains with an anti-stain coating, which we tested in our RealPro UV filter review. Kenko has provided a video demonstration of this, which you can see below:

Value For Money

The Kenko RealPro C-PL filter is available for around £80 for the 58mm filter we used in this review, which makes the Hoya Fusion Anti-Static CIR-PL at around £30 much better value for money. 

Kenko RealPro C-PL Filter Verdict

The Kenko RealPro Circular Polarising filter is a premium filter that gives both good protection as well as a number of useful features that actually work, including an anti-stain coating that makes it easy and quick to clean the filter when needed. There is an anti-reflective multi-coating and there is no degredation to image quality, apart from a very small amount of lens flare when shooting into the sun. We were impressed with the results captured with the Kenko Realpro CIR-PL filter, and it's a great way to make sunny shots more dramatic with stronger colour saturation and deeper blues. It's also a great way to reduce reflections when shooting through water or glass. The only concern is the price, with the Hoya Fusion range offering a further anti-static coating, and more competitive pricing.

Kenko RealPro C-PL Filter Pros

Case provided
Strong and easy to clean
Minimal flare when using filter in strong sunlight 
High quality glass used

Kenko RealPro C-PL Filter Cons

High price
Limited availability in the UK

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Kenko REALPRO CIR-PL Filter Specifications

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