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To polarize or not?
Apr 12, 2012 06:57:02 #
Any advice on whether it's a good idea to use a polarized filter? If so, which do you recommend? Thank you.
Apr 12, 2012 07:39:21 #
Mary Photo Fan wrote:
Any advice on whether it's a good idea to use a polarized filter? If so, which do you recommend? Thank you.
It is a good idea in many situations; to maximize the saturation of the sky; when you are shooting things that are reflective like pools of water, water on leaves, waterfalls....etc.
Think of it like polarizing sunglasses....when you need them...your lens needs them.
Hoya is a good brand; B&W is a good brand
Apr 12, 2012 08:22:29 #
As your other reply - use when needed and don't when not. Often in bright light {which we are mostly not to shoot in} and reflective surfaces. Not at other times as you are just putting an additional piece of glass on the front of your camera. Some recommend all of the time to lessen the chance of damage in case you bump the lens against something, others say be more careful.
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Apr 12, 2012 09:41:10 #
I don't think it's a good or bad idea. It's a tool that you can use whenever you like if you believe it will improve the image or even if you need to use it as a neutral density filter.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
Apr 12, 2012 09:48:45 #
Better to have one, try it out and then decide; than to not have one to experiment with at all. I have both Hoya (Multi-coated) and B+W and they work well. Just make sure to rotate the filter to get the effect you want. On occasion you mat want to strengthen reflections instead of minimizing them.
Eric
Eric
Apr 13, 2012 07:32:53 #
Frank T wrote:
I don't think it's a good or bad idea. It's a tool that you can use whenever you like if you believe it will improve the image or even if you need to use it as a neutral density filter.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
I agree with you,one time I was shooting a waterfall in very bright sunlight. I first tried a 2x neutral density filter and still couldn't get my shutter speed down to where I wanted it, so I screwed on the polarizer and that did the trick on getting the water to blur the way I wanted it.
Apr 13, 2012 07:39:38 #
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Apr 13, 2012 08:59:30 #
Mary Photo Fan wrote:
Any advice on whether it's a good idea to use a polarized filter? If so, which do you recommend? Thank you.
Here are two fairly extreme examples of using a polarising filter, one to reduce reflections and the other to enhance a blue sky. By rotating the filter you can reduce and increase the effect. I think they are very useful at times.
Small boat in Croatia
Fishing boat in St Ives, Cornwall
Apr 13, 2012 10:11:58 #
Well, I've learned a great deal from every post. Thank you, group. I'm going to make the investment.
Apr 13, 2012 12:21:34 #
My pro advisor...whom has proven his good self over many years...recently sold me a Promaster Digital HGX Circular Polarizing, 77mm filter that works very well on many of my Canon L series lenses. It's well made and works perfectly.
A given image (certainly not every image) can be VASTLY improved with the proper use of a polarizing filter.
Many years ago I was the chief photographer at the Pacific Daily News on Guam. I shot a lot of Kodachromes in my spare time. Then one day I tried a polarizer....Good Lord!!!...it made a lot of the work I'd been doing look like junk....I still look at some of those images and marvel at the saturated aquamarine colors....
(Those old slides seem to look even better, here in Southern Illinois...along about January...February...)
A given image (certainly not every image) can be VASTLY improved with the proper use of a polarizing filter.
Many years ago I was the chief photographer at the Pacific Daily News on Guam. I shot a lot of Kodachromes in my spare time. Then one day I tried a polarizer....Good Lord!!!...it made a lot of the work I'd been doing look like junk....I still look at some of those images and marvel at the saturated aquamarine colors....
(Those old slides seem to look even better, here in Southern Illinois...along about January...February...)
Apr 13, 2012 13:06:09 #
Frank T wrote:
I don't think it's a good or bad idea. It's a tool that you can use whenever you like if you believe it will improve the image or even if you need to use it as a neutral density filter.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
Ditto.
Apr 13, 2012 13:21:00 #
Nevada Chuck wrote:
Ditto.
Frank T wrote:
I don't think it's a good or bad idea. It's a tool that you can use whenever you like if you believe it will improve the image or even if you need to use it as a neutral density filter.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
In the end, it's an artistic decision.
Ditto.
Well said...I agree 100 percent...when used correctly the results can be amazing....
Apr 14, 2012 13:23:33 #
Some other thoughts. First a polarizing filter works best if you are 90 degrees from the light source ( e.g. Usually the sun) . Second this filter can be used to increase definition on foggy days. Finally, when you think of reflective surfaces remember that it can have a dramatic effect on fall leaf colors.
Apr 14, 2012 13:29:10 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
I think its a good idea to have one especially when your shooting outdoors on a sunny day. Like any other tool there is a time and situation for its use. You'll have to spend some time learning when and how to use it. If you just slap it on and start shooting away you'll probably be disappointed.
Apr 14, 2012 16:29:42 #
I have a Hoya 67mm polarizing filter that I have used for many years.
I also have a 77mm Sunpak polarizer and a set of Sunpak color enhancement filters that I use on a regular basis.
Both brands work well for me.
A polarizer is a tool. Like all tools there are appropriate places to use it.
I also have a 77mm Sunpak polarizer and a set of Sunpak color enhancement filters that I use on a regular basis.
Both brands work well for me.
A polarizer is a tool. Like all tools there are appropriate places to use it.
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