How much should I expect to spend on a quality polarizing filter?

I want to buy a polarizing filter for at least one of my three Nikon lenses. The diameters are all different (58mm, 62mm, and 67mm). I have a step-down ring that will allow me to use 67mm filters on the 62mm lens, so I'm leaning toward either a 67mm or 58mm filter. (67mm because I could use it on my kit 18-105mm and 70-300mm, 58mm because it will fit my current favorite, the 28-80mm I picked up from Goodwill last week.)

There's quite a range of price points for polarizing filters. Adorama has 58mm filters from around $14 and 67mm filters from about $17. The most expensive ones are over $200. I want to buy a quality filter that will last me several years, but I'm a college student and can't really afford to spend a couple hundred on a single filter right now.

What's the least I should expect to spend on a good quality filter?

Go for the cheapest thing that works. While there's some difference in the quality of filters, it's not anywhere near as much as you would expect given the price difference. Just be sure that you get a circular polarizer, instead of a linear one.

Whatever you want to pay, keep in mind that if your lens is a wide lens, a "thick" one may chop off the corners.

It may be tempting to buy a really cheap one, but what's the point in buying a high quality lens if you're going to put a cheap filter on it? It completely defeats the purpose.

I suggest you buy something in the middle of the price range.

It is entirely up to you.

I use a thin mount polarizer from Singh Ray that costs nearly $500.

I think for you, any polarizer you can get for about $20 will be fine. There's no sense in you putting a $200 filter on your very low quality lenses.

They don't wear out. I've seen pro's using cheap ones because in many cases the optical flats they are cut from come from one factory that sells to a number of brandnames. I bought eBay 280351616837 and it works fine on my Mamiya Press ultra wide 50mm Sekor lense. Although the seller is a UK 'drop-shipper' they probably have a similar listing on USA Ebay

Anything by Hoya or Tiffen is fine. A Hoya Filter will start around $30.

having said that, I have Neewer CPL, it's cheap and cheerful and does the job it's supposed to.

edit: Jeannie, There's nothing wrong whatsoever with Cokin filters. Many pros use them. Great value for money.

I was putting a cheap Cokin plastic warming filter in front of my very expensive Schneider lens when my photo teacher walked up and asked me:

"Why would you put a cheap piece of glass in front of a very expensive one?" Hmm… Good question.

I use a Cokin polarizer ($160 then, back in… Well, before you were born and still an inexpensive filter, really, but I've had great results with it.) Worth every penny. Won't use the plastic ones though. Buy the best, buy it once. This is possibly the most important filter you're ever going to buy. Don't go cheap here on the polarizer. - I use wratten gel filters for my b/w, so it is possible to cut a few corners on the filters, just not on the CP.

@ Tim: You don't know her lenses are cheap, that is just your assumption. Keep the attitude to yourself.

@ Nathan: After my teacher said that to me (it is a true story) I did a test: Hoya glass 4" filters for one shot, 4" Cokins for the second. There was some CA in the Cokin, and some softening. Now, that being said, I only bought the and in Hoya. This test was on my Sinar 4x5 with a Schneider lens. The pro who told me this is a well thought of architecture photographer. I've NEVER met any pros who use Cokins. None, nada. I've been doing this on a pro level since 1994. The warming filter is now called Photoshop, on the very rare occasions I want something warmed up. I did say I use a Cokin polarizer though, right?