Circular polarizer: My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this...

lindmike

My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this anyone else's experience?
Thanks for responses...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

lindmike wrote:

My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this anyone else's experience?
Thanks for responses...

No...you aren't.

The effect will be more, or less apparent depending on the conditions and which way the camera is pointing in relationship to the sun.

lindmike

Thanks, rpavich. Next time I'll change positions and see the difference...

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/lighting/how-when-and-why-to-use-a-polarizing-filter/

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/polarizing-filters.htm

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

rpavich wrote:

No...you aren't.

The effect will be more, or less apparent depending on the conditions and which way the camera is pointing in relationship to the sun.

Well said and I thought the same thing when I first tried one.
These may help -
http://photographylife.com/how-to-use-a-polarizer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml9ORHZHwt8

lindmike

Thanks a bunch JR1. What a great website...everything I want to know about a circular polarizer, but was afraid to ask... thanks again JR1. UHH what a great site for photographer buffs.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

lindmike wrote:

Thanks a bunch JR1. What a great website...everything I want to know about a circular polarizer, but was afraid to ask... thanks again JR1. UHH what a great site for photographer buffs.

Many people here post Cambridges website for replies they really are good, check out all of them.

I even know a few people who have downloaded them all, printed off and put in a binder

lindmike

Thanks for your response, ST. UHH has the best helpers and places to get help when needed. What great people!

lindmike

Sounds like a great idea for a reference manual...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lindmike wrote:

My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this anyone else's experience?
Thanks for responses...

I'll add these references to the excellent advice you've already gotten - filters in general.

UV Filters
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8049091537/the-uv-filter

UV Filters
http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

Polarizing Filters
http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Introduction.html

Filter Removal
Other ideas: rubber jar cap remover, filter wrench, the heel of a man's shoe, an electrical cord. You get the idea - you need a good gripper.

MtnMan Loc: ID

lindmike wrote:

My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this anyone else's experience?
Thanks for responses...

The effect is most noticeable when you are 90 degrees from the sun. You can really see it in the sky and on reflections from partially transparent things like windows and water.

I start with the arrow on the filter pointed in the direction of the sun and rotate it till the sky is bluest.

lindmike

JerryC41, Thank you for the reference sites. Full of info. Have you or do you use filters and have you stacked a CP onto a UV filter? Is this not a good practice? I realize that there would be a loss on F stops. I'm just thinking about the chore of changing.

lindmike

Mtnman, Thanks for the response and for the great tip.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

I heard they will have an e-book by the fall. Gary

JR1 wrote:

Many people here post Cambridges website for replies they really are good, check out all of them.

I even know a few people who have downloaded them all, printed off and put in a binder

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

lindmike wrote:

My experience with using a circular polarizer is that the change, when I rotate the polarizer is barely distinguishable. Am I doing something wrong or is this anyone else's experience?
Thanks for responses...

You'll really notice a difference if you aim at the glare coming off of a car window in sun light. Turn the filter and just like sun glasses, most of that glare will go away.