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How do you feel about Polarizing Filters
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Jun 16, 2018 14:20:06   #
tomcat
 
Many years ago in the film age, a lot of us used polarizers for that contrast and color boost, which are available today rather easily in LR. Just wondering about the reflections though from water and glass. I suppose that the Highlights slider will not reduce reflections as much as a polarizer will? I don't have them for today's lenses and I'm wondering if I should get them for a trip to Maine later this summer.

1. What instances do you use polarizers?
2. Can you get rid of the water and glass reflections with LR sliders?
3. Would they do anything related to contrast, saturation, clarity that I cannot do in LR?

I don't mind buying one, but I remember from the film days, that I was often taking it off when the lighting was too dark to keep up an acceptable ASA speed (now that's a throw-back)

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Jun 16, 2018 14:28:24   #
NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
 
Use them for the exact same reasons and situations that you do in film. The object is to take the best photo possible first, not a lesser quality one and then try to "fix it" in post processing. Post processing can fix a lot of errors in a shot, but it isn't going to work miracles without drastically modifying elements of the shot.

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Jun 16, 2018 14:33:32   #
jj56 Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
I use most of the time to cut reflection, enhance color and sometimes to cut out 1 stop of light.
Better to eliminate reflections via polarizer than to try to do in PP

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Jun 16, 2018 14:38:34   #
Neilhunt
 
I used to use polarizer with film quite a lot, but I'm not a fan with digital, especially on anything wider than about 50 or 35mm, because the effect seems to vary across the field of view.

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Jun 16, 2018 14:40:45   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
We use them in sizes to fit all of our lenses. There are effects that can't be duplicated in LR, especially with transparent surfaces. Metering exposure is not a concern with DSLRs, so I see no reason not to use one, at least in good light. PP software can help a lot with specular highlights and reflections, but I don't see it as a substitute for a good quality circular polarizer.

Andy

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Jun 16, 2018 14:48:22   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
I rarely leave home without one.

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Jun 16, 2018 16:30:23   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
A cp filter is probably the ONE filter that transcends Film and Digital cameras. I use mine a lot for bringing out colours in bright weather , especially in woodland, Graduated filters can be pp'd as can star filters. The Big stoppers (ND) are also a good buy. Colour filters can be recreated using the colour curves or layers.

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Jun 16, 2018 16:44:47   #
Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio
 
I actually did a video all about them - answers all your questions and more - plus lots of demos:

https://backcountrygallery.com/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter/

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Jun 16, 2018 17:07:13   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I like them.
I use a polarizer to cut down on reflections.
I don't use LR.

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Jun 16, 2018 21:43:56   #
tomcat
 
Steve Perry wrote:
I actually did a video all about them - answers all your questions and more - plus lots of demos:

https://backcountrygallery.com/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter/


Ok Steve. you've convinced me that I need to purchase a new one for my new lens to take along on my summer expedition. For weight considerations, I am leaving my Nikon 70-200 at home. At 3.3 lbs, it is just too heavy for my 70 year old shoulders. I have a new Tamron 28-300mm that I just got Monday and it's only 15 oz and sooooo much lighter. I've shot about 100 or so images at all the main focal lengths with this lens and they are pretty sharp. Amazed me that I could get the sharpness and clarity out of this lens----granted, it's not the quality of my 70-200, and I didn't expect it to be---however, I will have to look after my own health first. I wish that Nikon made a lighter lens, but their 28-300 is also too heavy for a long day of shooting and backpacking. If I had a teenager, he would be my pack mule. I'm also taking my Nikon 18-35mm along, so I have to travel lighter with the D750 body and the 2 lenses.

The reason I asked about the necessity of using a polarizer relates back to this Tamron lens. At the 200-300mm range, the largest f/stop is 6.3 (!) so at sunset, I am going to really be losing light and will have to bump up ISO. But the DR of the D750 is so great, that I don't think I would suffer exposure issues--- without a polarizer. But the downside of using one is that most polarizers cost you 2 stops of lights so now I'd be really pushing the ISO higher to keep the f/6.3. However, I discovered today that Singh-Ray has a new LB polarizer that only costs you ⅔ stop so I may try this, but it's expensive ($290). So my dilemma is whether or not it's worth $290 for the increase in the potential quality of the images I shoot?

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Jun 16, 2018 21:44:43   #
toxdoc42
 
I made the decision to carry one for each lens, above 28 mm. First I used converters to save money, since I have a 52mm, 55mm and 58mm barrel. I enjoy using them.to cut reflections, when I want that, and to bring out the whites of the clouds.

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Jun 17, 2018 00:34:33   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
tomcat wrote:
Many years ago in the film age, a lot of us used polarizers for that contrast and color boost, which are available today rather easily in LR. Just wondering about the reflections though from water and glass. I suppose that the Highlights slider will not reduce reflections as much as a polarizer will? I don't have them for today's lenses and I'm wondering if I should get them for a trip to Maine later this summer.

1. What instances do you use polarizers?
2. Can you get rid of the water and glass reflections with LR sliders?
3. Would they do anything related to contrast, saturation, clarity that I cannot do in LR?

I don't mind buying one, but I remember from the film days, that I was often taking it off when the lighting was too dark to keep up an acceptable ASA speed (now that's a throw-back)
Many years ago in the film age, a lot of us used p... (show quote)


IMHO the more you get right in the camera, the less time you spend in front of the computer. Yes you have to attach/remove the filter accordingly. Some people love sitting in front of the computer. Which do you like better? I prefer to maximize my time behind the camera and minimize my time behind the computer. The polarizing filter is a no brainer given that.

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Jun 17, 2018 00:57:46   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
JD750 wrote:
IMHO the more you get right in the camera, the less time you spend in front of the computer. Yes you have to attach/remove the filter accordingly. Some people love sitting in front of the computer. Which do you like better? I prefer to maximize my time behind the camera and minimize my time behind the computer. The polarizing filter is a no brainer given that.


More importantly, you CANNOT create the polarizer effect in PP. If detail is lost behind reflections, it's just not there for resurrection. Not even Lazarus could bring back that which does not exist.

Andy

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Jun 17, 2018 01:06:54   #
crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada
 
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-536732-1.html
...posted this yesterday...example of why you cannot fix in LR/PS ... blown highlights cannot bbe recovered.

I suppose if you wanted to go pixel by pixel you could fix it but it would take about 12 years.

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Jun 17, 2018 03:12:02   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
A Polar' filter, and or ND...GND filters, are all I use on my digital cameras these days. One can see the effect of a Polar' filter before pressing the shutter button. Even immediately after pressing the shutter button. Why cope without one, hoping to cure things in PP. But get a good one, free from colour cast degrading.

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