Polar Pro McKinnon 135 Series: Best Filters Ever or Hype?
In January, Polar Pro and Peter McKinnon launched the 135 Filter Series, marketed as an “ode to film.” But do these filters truly deliver that sought-after filmic look in digital photography? Many photographers, myself included, chase that aesthetic, whether due to the rising cost of film, processing delays, or simply the love of its unique character.
Before diving in, let me be upfront: filters and I have never been close friends. I still remember my first trip to a camera store as a teenager. The first question they asked me was, “Do you have a UV and Polarizing filter?” I was skeptical—why put cheaper glass in front of a high-quality lens? But let’s find out if the 135 Series filters are worth the hype.
First Impressions
One thing that immediately stands out is the packaging. These filters come in sturdy, film canister-style cases, a step up from the usual plastic or cloth pouches. They feel premium and well-constructed, setting the stage for high expectations.
Chroma PL
As I’ve said it seems like every photographer should have a circular polarizer in their bag. I can’t say that I’ve always carried one. Most of my time shooting, I’ve never owned one. I just hated the idea of putting inferior glass in front of my expensive lenses. Eventually, as demands dictated that I needed one, I caved. I ended up getting a well-reviewed and not cheap circular polarizer. While it helped and got rid of unwanted glare and shine, it created a color cast that was painful to correct and get right. I have friends who rave about their Polar Pro filters, from the build quality to the lack of color cast on the images.
The 135 Series introduced what they are calling a Chroma PL, which is the circular polarizer for the series. This circular polarizer removes the glare and shine perfectly, which was expected. Where it really shined is the lack of color cast. This was a game-changer for me. I now feel confident using this filter on any shoot, knowing I’ll get clean, accurate colors while eliminating unwanted reflections.
As you can see, scrolling between the two photos, you can see the difference in the scenes and these images were captured only a minute apart.
Black Mist
Black mist filters are popular among photographers trying to replicate a cinematic film look. They reduce contrast, soften highlights, and create a subtle glow around light sources. I had previously tried the Tiffen 1/4 Black Mist filter multiple times but never fully connected with it.
With my editing style leaning towards emulating Kodak Portra 400, I was initially skeptical about this filter. However, after a few shoots, I was convinced. It softens shadows without making them muddy, controls highlights beautifully, and provides a gentle roll-off from highlights to shadows. The straight-out-of-camera results were impressive, speeding up my editing workflow significantly. Since getting this filter, it has rarely left my lens. Here is a sample of the straight-out-of-camera image (left) to my final processed image (right):
As you can see in the original image on the blacks are already softer and not as deep for being in direct sun and exposing for the highlights. Also, the highlights are well-controlled on her stomach with a soft bloom. Also, the roll off from highlights to shadows is just beautiful straight out of camera. Having this done in camera allowed me to edit to a final image much faster. This filter has been attached to the front of my camera since getting it.
Gold Mist
I’ll be honest—when I first heard about the Gold Mist filter, I thought it was a gimmick. A filter that adds a golden warmth to highlights? I was unconvinced. But after testing it during golden hour, I was blown away... The way it gives a glow to the images as well as the highlight control and retains sharpness, makes it a filter I enjoy using. Here is a sample of the straight-out-of-camera image (left) to my final processed image (right):
Straight out of camera, the images are warm and glow. e bloom effect is stronger than the Black Mist filter, and it complements my editing style perfectly. While I appreciated its effect more once I saw the images on my computer, my models loved the look straight off the camera’s LCD.
Are The 135 Series Filters Worth Buying?:
They start at $79.99 for the 49mm and go to $119.99 for the 82mm variety. You can buy the three-pack of filters at a discount on the site the 49mm three-pack starts at $199 and tops out at $249.99 for the 82mm three-pack. I find the price to be a good value on the three-pack. I have been made a believer in the Polar Pro filters and what they can deliver. The biggest drawback is still the aluminum filter construction, as it can bind at times to the filter ring on the lens. However, I haven’t experienced this issue.
Conclusion
These filters exceeded my expectations—especially the Gold Mist. They deliver color-accurate results, eliminate unwanted glare, and significantly speed up my editing process. If you’re looking for top-tier filters to enhance your photography without introducing unwanted color shifts, the Polar Pro 135 Series is well worth the investment.