I got the opportunity to purchase the PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter. I already have the Freewell CPL/GMIST filter, which is very similar to the ShortStache filter, but I’m curious about the difference between the two.

Some brief comparisons:

• For the price, the Freewell CPL/GMIST is definitely more bang for the money. You get a complete package: a cleverly designed filter ring adapter, the filter itself, a lens hood, and a lens cap. While for the a similar price, you only get the filter if you go for the PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter.
• Related to the previous point, if you buy the ShortStache filter, you’ll have to buy a filter adapter ring and a lens hood separately.
• Even so, I kinda enjoy using the ShortStache filter more because you can rotate the filter 360º, instead of only 180º using the Freewell setup. The downside is that the ShortStache filter setup is bulkier and look much less refined.

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Similar to my previous comparison, I setup my camera on a tripod and use the following settings:

Aperture	f/4
Shutter speed	Auto (I want to see the exposure differences)
ISO	400
Exposure compensation	0
Dynamic range	DR200
Photometry	Center weighted
Film simulation	Reala Ace
White Balance	Auto
Focus	AF-S, then switched to Manual after focusing on the grey card in the middle

Without any filter

Shutter speed: 1/27

Freewell CPL/GMIST (1/4)

Shutter speed: 1/13

Shutter speed: 1/13

Shutter speed: 1/10

Shutter speed: 1/10

Comparisons

Freewell CPL/GMIST (1/4) VS PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter (1/4); “zero” degree rotation.

Freewell vs PolarPro ShortStache

Freewell CPL/GMIST (1/4) VS PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter (1/4); “ninety” degree rotation.

Freewell vs PolarPro ShortStache

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The most obvious differences between the two are:

• Using PolarPro Everyday 1/4, you seem to lose more light compared to using Freewell.

	Shutter speed
Without filter	1/27
Freewell CPL/GMIST (1/4)	1/13
PolarPro ShortStache Everyday 1/4	1/10

• Halation is stronger when using PolarPro ShortStache Everyday 1/4.

Honestly to my untrained eyes, other than the previous two points, there aren’t much differences between the photos taken with the two filters.

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Bonus comparison

Tiffen Glimmerglass VS PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter (1/4) “zero” degree rotation.

Tiffen Glimmerglass VS PolarPro ShortStache Everyday Filter (1/4) “ninety” degree rotation.

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Halation is stronger still when using Tiffen Glimmerglass filter, as expected.

White balance difference is also more pronounced between the two.

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To summarize the three filters in one table:

	Tiffen Glimmerglass	Freewell CPl/GMIST (1/4)	PolarPro ShortStache Everyday 1/4
Halation	Strongest	Weakest	Second strongest
Light loss	-0.054 EV	-1.054 EV	-1.433 EV

Hope this helps 🙂

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