Polarizers on telephoto lenses
Oct 23, 2018 09:32:15 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
Foto Fun wrote:
I've been reading the UHH Digest for a many months... (show quote)
Canon's long primes, 300 to 800mm have a slot at the rear of the lens for filters. There are no threads in the front to screw in a filter and the large size would be prohibitive as far as cost. I do have and sometimes use a CPL on different lenses but not on long primes as I don't want to loose any speed and it's easy to loose 2 stops.
Oct 23, 2018 10:13:47 #
Circular polarizers are useful to eliminate or suppress reflections from non metallic surfaces. They darken the sky but in my experience they are not necessarily useful for that because digital usually gets a nice rendition of the sky with the proper exposure.
Nobody needs a polarizer on any lens unless there is a reason to use one. Eliminating reflections is a very good one.
Polarizers are more effective when used at a 45 degree angle to the sun and at full polarization they have a filter factor of 2 stops. It is not recommended to use multi pattern metering with them. Polarizers and wide angles do not work well because part of the sky is polarized which make the image look unnatural. They are very useful for the fall foliage and when it rains.
I have no experience using a polarizer in the snow.
Nobody needs a polarizer on any lens unless there is a reason to use one. Eliminating reflections is a very good one.
Polarizers are more effective when used at a 45 degree angle to the sun and at full polarization they have a filter factor of 2 stops. It is not recommended to use multi pattern metering with them. Polarizers and wide angles do not work well because part of the sky is polarized which make the image look unnatural. They are very useful for the fall foliage and when it rains.
I have no experience using a polarizer in the snow.
Oct 23, 2018 10:34:48 #
camerapapi wrote:
Circular polarizers are useful to eliminate or sup... (show quote)
There is no problem using a circular polarizer with any kind of through the lens metering, including multi-pattern. You should not use linear polarizers, because they will not work with camera metering systems. Also, the most effective angle is 90° and not 45°.
Oct 23, 2018 10:49:41 #
I took a CPlL to Antarctica last year on an 80-400 Nikon lens. The filter caused difficulty with auto focus at the extreme so I took it off. I did use one on my shorter lens.
Oct 23, 2018 12:10:21 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Use exposure compensation or adjust your exposure manually to assure a proper exposure when using the CPL.
The AE system compensates for this automatically since it measures the light coming through the lens. It does, however, not magically "make up" for the loss of light due to the CPL - Nothing can as the light is literally filtered out.
That being said - usually you have no issues with light when there is a lot of snow/ice - it is actually more common to have too much light so the issue is probably not really an issue but maybe really a blessing
Oct 23, 2018 12:32:36 #
CPLs work great on long lenses, but can distort color in wide angles. The usual bad effect is darker sky on one side and lighter sky on the other side of the shot. To avid this either use another filter type on wide angles or rotate the polarizer so that the little arrow points straight up.
Oct 23, 2018 12:44:29 #
Opinions vary, but my habit is to mostly leave the CPL on my lens, (when I buy a lens I always buy a matching CPL) the exception being in extreme low light without a flash. Minimally a CPL will protect the front lens element, but unlike a UV filter it actually does something useful. As far as an uneven effect with a wide angle I usually like it, adding lighting drama to an otherwise uninteresting sky. And if there are clouds in that sky, a CPL can't be beat. The effect of a CPL on an image cannot be mimicked in post. Like I said opinions vary, but it is my filter of choice.
Oct 23, 2018 13:38:42 #
Unless you are going to spend a lot of money for a filter. Do not use one.
Would you buy a Ferrari and put cheap Wal-Mart tires on it?
Same with a pro lens.
Would you buy a Ferrari and put cheap Wal-Mart tires on it?
Same with a pro lens.
Oct 23, 2018 13:46:01 #
The only advantage of the CPLs is the reduction of glare. View a leaf in both minimum extinction and full extinction and notice the leaf vein detail in the latter. The amount of subject surface polarization is all about the angles of both incoming illumination and reflected light to camera. So the value of the CPL is a trade-off which becomes more important in tough lighting and problematic exposure situations. Is there a Golden Rule here - experts chime in.
Oct 23, 2018 15:29:40 #
tiphareth51
Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska
The cpl on my Nikon 200 to 500 was absolutely necessary this past summer. The glare off the water inhibited my photography. In winter ice art is very popular and again a CPL will be an added addition to my lenses. Living in Alaska we learn to shoot in different kinds of extreme weather. If anyone has never photographed ice art, it makes a wonderful backdrop for portraits.
Oct 23, 2018 17:57:25 #
Foto Fun, Sounds cold, but what an opportunity for great shooting. I use a CPL when conditions warrant with our Tamron 150-600, and same as all the other glass we have, you'll know if you need it and it can make a huge difference. Happy shooting and good luck. sv
Oct 23, 2018 18:46:43 #
Foto Fun wrote:
I've been reading the UHH Digest for a many months... (show quote)
Don't worry about the polarizer reducing the light by a stop. When you use the Pol the most is when there's plenty of light. AND, that's how you take care of the glare as well as darker blue skies. Think of the CPL as sunglasses for your lens. There are many uses beyond this, but don't hesitate to use the CPL on the long lenses if you have one that fits.
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