How and when to use a polarizer filter: I recently purchased a polarizer filter for a new lens (Sigma 18-200) but I am not sure when to use it. Here are a few pictures I took at a...

AsiaPaul Loc: Vietnam

I recently purchased a polarizer filter for a new lens (Sigma 18-200) but I am not sure when to use it.

Here are a few pictures I took at a beach in China with the polarizer filter, in addition to a few pictures on a cloudy late afternoon walk home from a market.

lorenww Loc: St. Petersburg

It should be a circular polarizer meaning the outside ring will turn. In your shot keep an eye on the sky and turn the outer ring and you will see the sky get darker and bluer.
Darker and bluer is what you want, so turn it back and forth to get the darkest blue.

AsiaPaul Loc: Vietnam

Thanks for the reply. When I get a chance, I will try your suggestion. I live and work in China so my camera shop contacts do not speak any English. Will have to go sometime with a translator!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

lorenww wrote:

It should be a circular polarizer meaning the outside ring will turn. In your shot keep an eye on the sky and turn the outer ring and you will see the sky get darker and bluer.
Darker and bluer is what you want, so turn it back and forth to get the darkest blue.

Circular and Linear polarizers BOTH have a rotating outer ring, but a circular style is the only one that will work on an AF DSLR. Circular is differentiated from linear by the way in which they polarize the light, and has nothing to do with the shape of the filter itself.

Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI

Also, a polarizer is most effective if the direction of the sunlight is perpendicular or nearly so to the direction in which you aiming your camera.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I agree with what everyone has said and would add that these photos are much better than yesterdays as far as composition and interest.

Nickey Loc: Arizona

Glad to know. Thanks MT.

MT Shooter wrote:

quote=lorenww It should be a circular polarizer m... (show quote)

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I bought my first-ever CPL for my camera and went to a car show with it on Wednesday. I noticed that on some shots it made a huge difference and on others it made none at all...I'm guessing now that it was the sun angle. I'll make a new thread and post some of them there unless I have your permission to post here.

Nickey Loc: Arizona

planepics wrote:

I bought my first-ever CPL for my camera and went to a car show with it on Wednesday. I noticed that on some shots it made a huge difference and on others it made none at all...I'm guessing now that it was the sun angle. I'll make a new thread and post some of them there unless I have your permission to post here.

I say post it here. This thread is about using CPL, that way we can see the difference. IMHO. What do you think ChinaPaul?

LouEllen

Nice photos. China is my favorite place on Earth! Especially southern China. We went to a beach in Zhanjiang and really enjoyed our time there. Where is this beach located?

I would love to see more pics of China if you care to post them.

Lou Ellen

ChinaPaul wrote:

I recently purchased a polarizer filter for a new lens (Sigma 18-200) but I am not sure when to use it.

Here are a few pictures I took at a beach in China with the polarizer filter, in addition to a few pictures on a cloudy late afternoon walk home from a market.

nikon_jon Loc: Northeast Arkansas

MT Shooter wrote:

quote=lorenww It should be a circular polarizer m... (show quote)

Thanks, MT. I was about to make that comment myself.

nikon_jon Loc: Northeast Arkansas

mtmello wrote:

Also, a polarizer is most effective if the direction of the sunlight is perpendicular or nearly so to the direction in which you aiming your camera.

In other words, if you are shooting to the east or west, the polarizer has limited or no effect. If you shoot to the north or south, the change in the sky color can be dynamic. The sun needs to be at right angle to what you are shooting.

They are also good for removing unwanted reflections on non metallic surfaces or water. You can turn the pola and dial out the reflection on the surface of water and see what is beneath. Or you can dial out the reflections on a window and see what is behind it. The position of the sun has little effect on this use of the polarizer. Try dialing out the reflection from a car window and see who or what is inside.

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

Also if you change your perspective you need to readjust the filter. CPL's are also good for removing glare from reflective surfaces such as glass, water and shiny cars

mtmello wrote:

Also, a polarizer is most effective if the direction of the sunlight is perpendicular or nearly so to the direction in which you aiming your camera.

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

nikon_jon wrote:

mtmello wrote:

Also, a polarizer is most effective if the direction of the sunlight is perpendicular or nearly so to the direction in which you aiming your camera.

Try dialing out the reflection from a car window and see who or what is inside.

If you see the business end of a gun, DUCK!!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

vignetting on the first two images. This will happen with CPs used on ultra wide angles. You want a super-thin CP.