rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

For maximum effect, yes. But one should avoid overemphasizing the word, "must". You will get useful effect at angles other than 90 degrees, such as 70 or 105, it just won't be the theoretical maximum effect. Probably very few if any photographers actually bring a right angle along for exact angle measuring. I certainly don't. When using the polarizer to tame reflections from foliage, these reflections are coming at you from a wide variety of different angles; some may be exactly 90 degrees, but most are not - generally leaves and grass blades are not all tilted at the same angle toward you. The 90 degree rule is more of a guide to help one understand how the polarizer works rather than a strict rule of application.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

rook2c4,

If the photographer has, and uses, a CP filter he/she can balance the effect when not at 90 degrees to the sun.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

One can get more "pop" to rainbows using a polarizer and a normal to telephoto lense. Wide angle is possible but usual suffers from some drop off of the effect.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

wdross,

No argument there.

So, what angle is between the sun and falling raindrops?

TB4 Loc: TX

If your going to rant - and least take the time to get your sentence structure and spelling correct - and reference what the hell you are talking about.

"If YOU'RE going to rant - AT least take the time"
to take your own advice...

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Just who the H*** are you writing to?

TB4 Loc: TX

I quoted part of Shellback's response which was the fourth entry on this thread. We all make errors but when someone uses incorrect grammar while criticizing someone else's grammar and spelling I find it annoying. Why are you upset?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Ken, I am neither going to criticize the way you structured you're post nor your spelling. I, for one, understood what you were saying.

HOWEVER, I would question your first piece of advice. You are correct that having the sun at ninety degrees to your line of sight provides the most efficient use of a polarizer. BUT it is the factor oner which you may have the least control. If you're going to take a picture so a slow, clear stream or creek, you probably don't have a great deal of latitude in your relation to your chosen scene; you'll take the sun where you can get it. On the other hand, if you have the luxury of standing in the same spot all day, you might be able to wait for your right angle sun. There are ways, including applications, which will allow you, given your location and line of sight, to calculate the optimal time for use of a polarizer, but when you happen upon a scene, you can't always sit down with a computer and figure the optimal time (Murphy's law would show that the optimal time was just before you took out your computer). So the four suggestions you read are those over which you (and your gear) have the greatest control.

SO, you are technically correct, but, in practice, probably not correct in the context of the article.

But do not let that, or other comments, discourage you. Whether or nor your comment was correct in context, somebody probably learned something from it.

Welcome aboard the rocky ship Hog!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I would have to look it up to be sure, but I believe that the angle for the rainbow is about 118 degrees off the sun or about 62 degrees when looking in the direction of the sunlight (towards one's shadow). There are secondary rainbows if one is lucky to see one strong enough. That usually takes a very heavy downpour, a very dark shadowed cloud's underside, and bright unobstructed sunlight. I can not remember anymore how many are possible, but the most that I have been able to discern has been five. Trust me when I say that it was a hell of a storm and four and five were very weak. Most of the time, one gets to see the primary plus one or two secondaries. Please note that some of the secondaries reverse the order of color from the primary rainbow.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Because you posted into the wild blue sky. You did not use quote reply, this is done so we all know who you are replying to, and avoids simple mistakes in reading a blind reply.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

It was driving me nuts, so I decided to look up the angle. The angle is 42 degrees, not the 62 degrees that I had previously mentioned.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

When you are set up near center of a 100 meter field, and time of day may be any, it is damned hard to limit yourself to ONLY 90 degree shots in relation to the sun.
And the speed of the action never gives you time to fiddle with filters.
Polarize on that for a while. ;)

ken glanzer

Mogu;:Thanks for your comments and I was aware of them and even more having used a polarizer for over 70 years. I've obtained some very very dramatic pictures and effects but ONLY at right angles. I could have filled the page with many useful observations few know (even using 2 of them together and with other filters) but kept my suggestion short and simple. I just had 2 eye operations and didn't have my glasses. I mistook a "m" for an "n" which is very easy to do in the small font (big deal). This was my first entry and started my entry in the original entry assuming it would appear correctly. It's not immediately clear how to use this system. He should have mentioned maximum affect is at a right angle, has had little experience with the filter and probably wasn't aware of it either. That was a MAJOR Omission no one commented on? Additional sky blueness for one diminishes to ZERO AFFECT head on or 180 degrees to the sun and I've found many users didn't know why. Ken

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

File in "Grumpy Old Men" file. :lol:
Ref: 70 years of use. Pet Peeves.

Your right, your right, you are right.
Sheesh! :roll:

Unwatch.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

Now you're embarrassing me. I was born, raised and went to California schools, too. California used to have some of the best schools in the country. Not so much anymore. Just one of the reasons my location reads "from California".

At least SonnyE won't see this since he Unwatched this topic.