Polarizing Filters
Jan 4, 2024 08:31:24 #
Get polarized sunglasses and look around at things in the sunshine with and without them. There is a difference.
Plus, as someone else suggested, the glasses can be used as a filter in a pinch. Remember to rotate the lenses until the glare is gone.
Plus, as someone else suggested, the glasses can be used as a filter in a pinch. Remember to rotate the lenses until the glare is gone.
Jan 4, 2024 08:38:18 #
Jan 4, 2024 09:59:01 #
Leinik
Loc: Rochester NY
Why do you use a polarising filter in the first place???? It makes very little sense in most normal cases (even with film) and definitely even less with a digital camera (except a very limited number of situations—see below).
Polarising filters eliminate 2 f-stops (EVs) of light and prevent them to reach your sensor for what effect?
With digital imagery polarising filters have been almost put to rest as the saturation of colours can easily be obtained otherwise. Their only remaining interest is that they can cut reflections (on glass, water) in specific situations.
I have not used one for probably 20 years now. I only keep one in case I would use some of my frozen film again, but definitely not with digital.
Polarising filters eliminate 2 f-stops (EVs) of light and prevent them to reach your sensor for what effect?
With digital imagery polarising filters have been almost put to rest as the saturation of colours can easily be obtained otherwise. Their only remaining interest is that they can cut reflections (on glass, water) in specific situations.
I have not used one for probably 20 years now. I only keep one in case I would use some of my frozen film again, but definitely not with digital.
Jan 4, 2024 10:01:19 #
Leinik wrote:
Why do you use a polarising filter in the first pl... (show quote)
Simple, to eliminate unwanted glare (reflections).
Jan 4, 2024 10:11:16 #
Leinik
Loc: Rochester NY
Yes, absolutely, but do you realise you only need it in a very limited number of situations and that most of the time it is more a problem than a solution?
Jan 4, 2024 11:10:20 #
Leinik wrote:
Yes, absolutely, but do you realise you only need it in a very limited number of situations and that most of the time it is more a problem than a solution?
Since you didn't use Quote Reply.....
If you're asking me, definitely.
I only use it when I want to.
Absolutely no problem, it's just a filter....... use it or not. No biggie.
And it IS a solution to a problem.
Jan 4, 2024 19:41:41 #
Wyantry
Loc: SW Colorado
MrPhotog wrote:
I believe the information you need on lateral spac... (show quote)
Jan 4, 2024 22:56:50 #
Leland22 wrote:
No one brought it up but CPL's can brighten fall colors by reducing reflection on leaves.
That comes up several times every autumn. Right now its somewhat out of season.
Jan 4, 2024 23:00:08 #
Jan 4, 2024 23:03:16 #
Jan 4, 2024 23:11:00 #
petrochemist wrote:
Combining a linear polariser & a CPL gives a variable ND filter, .........
Unforunately, about half the folks who try that will find discover it doesnt work. With two LPLs it will work every time. You just might wanna look that up.
Jan 4, 2024 23:15:08 #
Randyfrieder wrote:
For the record, I totally agree with this advice. I too use the uv filters for protection to the front element. But haven’t used or needed a polarizer I. More than a decade.
Polarizer only darken light perpendicular to the particular the surface and really only beneficial for sun light.
And using it indoors will just cost you a few stops of light loss
Polarizer only darken light perpendicular to the particular the surface and really only beneficial for sun light.
And using it indoors will just cost you a few stops of light loss
Perpendicular is exactly when it will NOT work.
Jan 5, 2024 00:00:28 #
Some common sense advice to the OP or anyone else who is interested in practical technique. Don't listen to all the filter lovers and haters. A CPL filter is a useful tool and can be used advantageously in certain situations. It can remove or mitigate certain unwanted reflections- not that all reflections are bad. Oftentimes reflections are good- such as mirrored images in water or certain highlights that create modeling and dimension.
It is not a good practice to permanently install it on your lens for protection if it is not required for the effect you want to accomplish.
It can be effectively used to enhance skyscapes and darken the sky in certain landscape shots. It will increase color saturation by eliminating certain reflections (such as on foliage) that can gray down or dilute the chroma. It can help if you need to shoot through glass such as a shop window a museum display or a diorama. In some cases, total negation of reflections can be problamatic- it can rend wind as black and thereby seem unnatural or kill interestig reflections.
You do not need to be an astronomer, meteorologist, or optical scientist to effectively operat and utulize a CPL filter. You needn't scientifically measure the angle of incidence of the light source or worry about the position of the sun. All you need to do is place the filter on the lens, look the the viewfinder, and rotate the filter and you will SEE whether ot not the effect is happening. You can control the level of the effect- you needn't always go full tilt! With practice, you will get to know how, when, and where to employ your CPL filter.
The filter does have neutral density so you will lose a couple of stops. In some cases, you may want to boost your ISO a bit.
In certain, kids of work the CPL filter will have no advantages and its operation may slow you down if you need to capture action- sports, wildlife, etc. I have never used it in portraiture because I like special highlights.
It is extremely handy for copywork of artwork, and images framed behind glass, especially in conjunction wor polarized light sources.
I good quality filter will not seriously effect image quality, or cause excessive potential for flare so shift colors.
It is not a good practice to permanently install it on your lens for protection if it is not required for the effect you want to accomplish.
It can be effectively used to enhance skyscapes and darken the sky in certain landscape shots. It will increase color saturation by eliminating certain reflections (such as on foliage) that can gray down or dilute the chroma. It can help if you need to shoot through glass such as a shop window a museum display or a diorama. In some cases, total negation of reflections can be problamatic- it can rend wind as black and thereby seem unnatural or kill interestig reflections.
You do not need to be an astronomer, meteorologist, or optical scientist to effectively operat and utulize a CPL filter. You needn't scientifically measure the angle of incidence of the light source or worry about the position of the sun. All you need to do is place the filter on the lens, look the the viewfinder, and rotate the filter and you will SEE whether ot not the effect is happening. You can control the level of the effect- you needn't always go full tilt! With practice, you will get to know how, when, and where to employ your CPL filter.
The filter does have neutral density so you will lose a couple of stops. In some cases, you may want to boost your ISO a bit.
In certain, kids of work the CPL filter will have no advantages and its operation may slow you down if you need to capture action- sports, wildlife, etc. I have never used it in portraiture because I like special highlights.
It is extremely handy for copywork of artwork, and images framed behind glass, especially in conjunction wor polarized light sources.
I good quality filter will not seriously effect image quality, or cause excessive potential for flare so shift colors.
Jan 5, 2024 03:17:12 #
petrochemist
Loc: UK
User ID wrote:
Unforunately, about half the folks who try that will find discover it doesnt work. With two LPLs it will work every time. You just might wanna look that up.
No need to look it up I've done it, several times.
It works as long as the front filter is linear, and the CPL is the right way round. If using a CPL it is vital that the quarter wave plate is after any required polarisation effect. For a variable ND you can even do it with two CPLs if the front one is reversed, but that's not very practical.
Those who didn't get it to work obviously didn't know what they were doing.
FWIW two CPLs back to back give some really weird effects.
Jan 5, 2024 07:21:11 #
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