The ultimate PL filter.
The best color balance and ultra-high resolution
— now evolved.
Ultra-low reflection of 0.16% to 0.2% on the glass surface
A new anti-static coating has been adopted.
The Definitive PL Filter
for Landscape Photography
Control reflections for rich, vibrant colors
High light-transmittance polarizing film
with no color cast
World's highest level of
color balance
The Kenko ZX C-PL filter has a light transmission approximately one stop brighter than a normal PL filter and a highly transmissive polarizing film that creates no color casts, achieving the best color balance. The Kenko ZX C-PL filter has the best color balance among all PL filters currently on the market.
* As of November 2024, based on in-house research.
Highest color balance
The ZX C-PL N offers the most superior color balance of any PL filter, ensuring zero color cast.
Advantages of High Transmission Type
Even when the PL effect is maximized, the lens is darkened by only one stop, so the viewfinder remains bright and easy to see. Also, since the shutter speed is reduced by only one stop, hand-held shooting becomes easier without worrying about light falloff (exposure multiplier: approx. 2/3 stop to 1 stop).
with hight transmittance polarizing film
Brighter and no color cast
The Kenko ZX C-PL N is one aperture brighter than a normal C-PL. Also, C-PLs with highly transmissive polarizing films tend to have a yellowish tint, but the ZX C-PL N is by far the most neutral in color.
It delivers clean, transparent images with excellent clarity and no color muddiness.
Achieves ultra-high resolution
"Floating Frame Technology"
Conventional PL filters can introduce slight distortion to the glass surface due to direct pressure from the frame. The ZX C-PL N adopts the innovative “Floating Frame System,” a structure designed to eliminate stress on the glass. By securing the glass with a special elastic buffer layer, it maintains excellent flatness. As a result, it delivers full polarizing performance while preserving the lens’s original resolving power.
Comparison of surface accuracy
The measuring of surface accuracy is realized by using the Newton rings. The fewer the number of rings, the higher the flatness, and the closer the ring shape to a circle, the less distortion of the glass.
Comparison of glass flatness when mounted in the frame
General PL filter
ZX C-PL NSuperior flatness is achieved not only in the glass element itself through high-precision polishing, but also when mounted in the filter frame, thanks to our unique fixing technology.
Unprecedented ultra-low reflection
of 0.16% to 0.2%
Ultra-low reflection of 0.16% to 0.2% on the glass surface*
Flare and ghosting caused by the use of filters are suppressed, resulting in clear images.
* Average reflectance from 400 to 700nm
Anti-static coating
A new anti-static coating has been adopted. This coating reduces dust adhesion that occurs due to the static electricity generated when you wipe the filler surface with the cleaning cloths.
Water and oil repellent coating
The water and oil repellent coating strongly repels water droplets and dirt, and dirt can be easily wiped off. This allows stress-free shooting near water or in the rain, and makes daily maintenance easier.
Other Features
Black rimmed glass
The glass side is coated with black ink that prevents internal reflections to the utmost limit.
Smooth attachment and removal
Lubrication is applied to the filter thread for smooth attachment and removal.
Knurled frame
Non-slip and comfortable filter attachment/removal.
Low profile frame
Thin-frame design prevents vignetting even with wide-angle lenses.
PL filter effect
- Anti-reflection effect
- It reduces glare from water and glass surfaces, as well as from leaves and flower petals, revealing the subject’s true, vibrant colors.*For best results, shoot from an oblique angle when removing reflections from surfaces such as water, glass, or leaves. The effect is strongest at an angle of approximately 30–40 degrees to the surface. *The filter is not effective when shooting directly from the front or on reflections from metallic surfaces.
- Color contrast effect
- When sun rays hit the molecules in the atmosphere, light scattering occurs.By restraining the effect of light scattering with a PL filter, the blue of the sky appears deeper, thus creating a higher contrast with colors from flowers, green leaves, autumn foliage, white snow, etc., for a much more impressive result.*When photographing landscapes with a blue sky, the position of the sun is crucial for enhancing color contrast. The polarizing effect is strongest in areas of the sky that are approximately 90° from the direction of the sunlight, with the sun at your back. *The filter has only a minimal effect in backlit conditions or under overcast skies.
Sample Images
