Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

How much noise is acceptable when the shutter fires? Is there any way to dampen shutter noise. I have a Sony A100 and the noise is enough to startle animals close by. Secondly, Is not a polarizing lens supposed to darken as you turn one plane against another? I've looked at 2 lens now and can see no discernible difference when rotating the front lens.Should there be?
Thanks for your help.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I am not familiar with that camera but my Nikon has a setting to make it quiter. Check your manual.

Some P&S cameras simulate a shutter sound. You can usually turn that off.

Generally it isn't the shutter but the mirror that makes the noise in a DSLR. You don't actually quiet it but rather open it before the shutter fires and delay it's closing.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I've never heard of a polarizing lens, polarizing filters are another matter. I have them and use them often.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml9ORHZHwt8

I agree with MtnMan about shutter noise.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

For a polarizer to work, it must be at the correct angle to the sun.

For years, I took stil photos for a local theater group during their shows. I used a D90. One person in the audience complained about the "noise," so I stopped taking pics for them. Of course, there were the people talking during the show and the heat and/or A/C turning off, but that one guy heard my little click.

I have since gotten a D7000 which is not only more quiet, but it has a Quiet Mode besides.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

MtnMan, Mac and Jerryc41 Thank you very much for your input. Dumb me! I should have said filter instead of lens-got in a hurry and goofed.
Thanks again.

edquales Loc: Fort Mill, SC but am rarely there

Floyd,

The CPF will make the whole picture darker when you put it on your lens. By turning the outer ring it will reduce glare from reflected light. Turning the outer ring will not make the entire picture darker.

As for the noise, I use a rain gear protector which is made out of fabric. It acts as a muffler. I will use this even if it is not raining at golf events to keep the golfers from getting pissed at me when they make a mistake. Just a thought, hope it helps.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I suppose you could make an argument for calling it a lens, since it does change the image/light.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thank you edquales and jerryc41. Your comments are appreciated.

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

A polariser will cut your exposure down by 1-2 stops, which would make your image darker if you are using manual setting and not compensate for that. By cutting down the haze and reflections, the colours are more saturated and therefore look much darker. As mentioned by others, the angle of light hitting your objects and your shooting position will determine whether the light gets polarised and to what extent.
If you can't switch off or reduce the shutter-release noise, is it possible to lock the mirror up before shooting? Check your camera manual.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

A Polarizer will give you maximum effect when the sun is positioned at right angles (90 degrees) to the line from subject to camera.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thank you Chinaman and Bill41. I appreciate your time and helpful responses.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I am currently of the view that not only does a CP not cut down on haze it actually makes it worse. I'd welcome data to support your assertion.

In the Nikon D5100 they have substituted "live view" for the mirror up control.

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Hi MtnMan
I don't have any images handy(I'm at work) to show that but I googled and this link's images show the difference very clearly.
http://www.roadlesstravelled.com.au/understanding-polarizing-filters-reduce-glare-improve-colors/

MtnMan Loc: ID

Thanks for the attempt. Perhaps we don't have communication on what haze it. I consider it the cloudy stuff...like light smog or fog. It can actually be either of those or even smoke.

Your refrence shows what a CP does with reflected light. I agree they are great for that.

I figured out a way to easily test whether the CP affects haze without taking any shots. I had the good fortune to have some smoke from a forest fire hanging around to test it on. I just held up my polarizing filter and looked through it. It didn't do a thing with the haze no matter how I rotated it.

So then I tried my current UV filter which are sometimes considered haze filters. It didn't do anything either. Both of these filters are low cost: got the pair of them for $20.

I also had a somewhat better quality neutral density filter. I tried it too as a better comparision with the polarizing filter. Surprisingly it seemed to help the haze a little.

The I recalled I had a 40 year old Hoya CP filter in the box with my old SLR. So I dragged it out...and it did help a little with the haze. That suggests to me the coating on the filter (or quality of the filter, if you like) may matter.

I also had an old Japanese (no manufaturer ) "UV Haze" filter in the case. I tried it and it may have had some small effect on the haze but not as much as the poloarizing filter. Now the effect of the polarizing filter was small at best...it didn't eliminate the haze. But I was gratified to see it didn't make it worse.

I am now in the market for better quality filters for my DSLR.

oldmalky Loc: West Midlands,England.

I have the Alpha a200 and that also makes a noise, enough to scare the birds away when i have done my sas bit in sneaking up on them,I have recently bought the a57 and that is a whole lot quieter. Cant help with the lens.