CPL Filter Question: It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ??? Also...

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???
Also, is the Marumi brand a decent filter quality?

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

donrent wrote:

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???

Depends on the part of the world you are in. If in a northern hemisphere and it is winter months it will work just fine.

Same vice versa.

Actually I have used it in the midwest in summer and have had some results from it. So I would say the answer is yes.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

That depends on where you have the camera pointed. If it's pointed at the horizon then yes the sun would be at a 90' angle for a complete 360" pano. (no matter which direction you point as long as it is at the horizon) Remember, 90' is not only left and right. If you point the camera due north or south at dawn and stay there all day, the sun will always be at a 90' angle to you. (left arm morning, head mid day, right arm sunset)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The CPL filter works at angles to the sun other than 90 degrees, but just not at its full effect. Sometimes you don't even want it at its full effect anyway. I often use the CPL filter to control reflections from foilage, walls, pavements, water surfaces, vehicles, etc., which also deepens color saturation on these objects. Especially with foilage, reflections are coming at you from an array of different angles, so where the sun is often doesn't really matter that much. With an overcast sky, the sun's position is even less important because of light diffusion.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

donrent wrote:

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???
Also, is the Marumi brand a decent filter quality?

Hi Don, I have a CP filter on my 24-70 lens 90% of the time while travelling and taking mainly scenic pics. Even on overcast days. Sometimes it has absolutely no obvious effect but it does cut down on reflections nicely. Only time it comes off is if I have trouble getting an exposure reading I like.
Re the 90 degree question - this applies to maximum effect.
And yes, Marumi has a good rep but my advice is to buy the thinnest filter you can afford.
Cheers

jcboy3

donrent wrote:

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???
Also, is the Marumi brand a decent filter quality?

You get maximum sky darkening at 90 degrees. It's a look I used to go for decades ago, but find it very artificial now. In fact, I use a CPL rarely for sky darkening any more. What I use the CPL for is to cut reflections; if you have to shoot mid day then a CPL will reduce the harsh reflections and bring back the color. Especially good cutting haze, enhancing foliage, cutting reflections on smooth surfaces and water.

Marumi are very highly rated and tested, equal to B+W. And almost as expensive.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I have and use a Marumi CPL filter and love it. Prices vary according to your needs

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

donrent wrote:

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???
Also, is the Marumi brand a decent filter quality?

Off hand, it seems as though pointing any direction would be 90°. It would be like standing at the North POle. Whatever direction you're facing - it's south. I'm sure you're question will lead to lots of technical discussion. I doubt a CPL would have any effect at noon. As for Marumi, it is excellent. I bought one after reading this comparison. Prices are in Polish currency.

http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/

"Not at noon..."

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/3164957

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Hey guys, thanks a bunch for the feedback... Greatly appreciated.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

donrent wrote:

It is recommended that to use a CPL, do it at about a 90 degree to the sun... All well in good on that, but is the filter efficient at all at high noon ???
Also, is the Marumi brand a decent filter quality?

I've used mine at all times of the day. The effect varies, though.

The only brand I'd consider it B+W.
--Bob

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Jerry and others, math is math.

If you shoot at dawn (sun in the east) and you aim your camera south (or north) what is the angle of the sun to camera to south? 90° you say and you are correct. Same as shooting at sunset. (sun in the west)

If it is noon and the sun is directly overhead and you are shooting toward the horizon. (any direction) What is the angle of the sun to the camera to the horizon? Yes it is still 90° and the cpl will give max effect. Aim higher or lower and the effect diminishes. The upside is if you are doing a panorama with a cpl the cpl effect remains the same throughout the pano. If it's not high (sun directly overhead) noon, lose the cpl or be prepared to scrap the entire pano.

jerryc41 wrote:

I doubt a CPL would have any effect at noon.

"Not at noon..."

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

I use a CPL very often to reduce reflections, to see through water and glass, enrich the sky, etc.

I recently purchased a Marumi EXUS Professional Digital CPL from Amazon. It shipped from a retailer in the UK for a cost of approx. 96 dollars. It seems to have the best performance for the buck.

BTW, I appreciate Jerryc41 giving the link to the comparison, however it is several years old and not representative of product currently available. Better to read up on B and H or Amazon, etc. sites for current information.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I simply turn mine until I get the effect I want.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

rook2c4 wrote:

The CPL filter works at angles to the sun other th... (show quote)

I use a CPL 99% of the time regardless of the sun position or no sun at all. There are other other benenfits as rook2c4 talks about.

chaseb Loc: Casa Grande, AZ

I have used the CPL filter, effectively, but "aiming" it kind of mystifies me. Back in the days of the film cameras, I had a linear(?) Polarizing Filter, and it had an indicator as to which direction to set that gave the best polarizing effect. In the case of the current "CPL" (circular polarizing) filters, there is just no way I can see to figure out what the axis is, so I can only tell from what the view finder shows to know how to "aim" it (at the sun!??).

Am I missing something that is printed on the outside ring of the filter????