Narrows

While I did not want to start a fight here...this brings up another question if I may ask it a this time. Polarizer sun glasses.... I am unable to use them on the boat as one does not get to see the chart plotter, etc. Am I forced to use prescription sunglasses and not flip down polarizers?

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Narrows,

I am afraid I do not understand why you cannot use polar sunglasses on the boat as referenced to the chart plotter.

Michael G

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Mogul,

Thanks for your research and link. The contents contained in the article is almost correct but misses in some very important points.

When dealing with light sources all our reference points are to a "Point Light Source". The Sun is a point light source, the stars are a point light source, the Moon is a reflected light source.

When light leaves a point light source the photon energy leaves in parallel streams, or waves. These sub-atomic particles continue on their path to Earth in parallel with other.

Only when they strike another sub-atomic particle do they refract/reflect off of that particle and become non-parallel. A photon striking a molecule of moisture gets reflected and is no longer parallel to its brothers and sisters.

The circular polarizer filter absorbs/blocks non polar photons (the ones causing haze, and reflection in windows and water surfaces).
The circular Polarizer filter, because it can rotate around the central axis of the lens and sensor, can adjust the effectiveness of the blocking action. This allows the filter to allow some reflective photons to register on the sensor and also allow the underlying scene behind the display window to be captured by the camera.

Michael G
former optical weapon technical,
USA civilian

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Perhaps this explanation will be more to your liking:

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Polarizer

My only point is that, in most electronic equipment, circular polarization provides a higher level of control of light, including but not limited to multi source and/or reflected light.

By the way, it was my understanding that, while single source light may be polarized when emitted, interference, such as the Earths atmosphere, can scatter light rays, requiring multiple steps in the polarization process

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Polarizing filters price ranges go from about $25 to well over $100. Naturally the most expensive is considered the best. You probably don't need the most expensive. A mid range price should be satisfactory. Check polarizing filters on B&H website. Don't confuse with ND filters. Different name brands to select from.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Some Polarizing Filters cost than $100.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Get a good polarizing filter. I recommend B+W. their rings are brass not aluminum.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, there is a difference.

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.lightstalking.com/polariser-mistakes/
http://nikonrumors.com/2014/07/26/how-to-use-a-polarizing-filter.aspx/
http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.lightstalking.com/polariser-mistakes/

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Are your flip-downs tinted as well as polarised? If they are, the tinting is going to be a significant contributor to the darkening that they cause. Depending on the amount of tinting, it may be causing more darkening than the polarisation.

I spent some time looking for polarised glasses for driving that weren't tinted, or at the very least lightly tinted, and they're not that easy to find - and not cheap when you do find them. Anglers use them because they reduce the reflections on water, and if they're not tinted or lightly tinted, the anglers can still see through the water to what's underneath.

I eventually settled for fairly cheap polarised driving glasses that are lightly tinted yellow (other tints can be hazardous when driving at night).

clavius

The "circular" in CPL refers to the polarization of the light such a filter will pass. As much as I hate to quote wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_polarization

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

http://www.lenstip.com/139.25-article-Polarizing_filters_test_2015_Results_and_summary.html

In depth article and reviews of a number of popular CPLs. Worth the read. Best part - for a 77mm filter size - the $150 Hoya Fusion outperforms the all of the others, though the Kaisermann HTC B&W looks decent and comes in at around $120 at B&H.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Did you fix your mistale by returning them and getting an expensive polarizer and a cheap lens?

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

There are cheap ones and expensive ones; the more expensive ones use better glass and have anti-reflective coating.

Some have steel rings and other have brass.

Some are linear and some are circular. Linear polarizers are less common today because they can interfere with auto-focus. Memory tells me they had a stronger effect, but this is just my impression - I've never done or seen tests.

And of course size changes too, but polarizers tend to be thicker than other filters. I tend to use polarizers more often with wide-angle lenses and these are more subject to vignetting. Some manufacturers offer a thin polarizer but another solution is to buy a larger size and a step-up ring. This is a particularly good solution if you have another lens that needs a slightly bigger filter.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for the new review. The one I had was from 2009. Based on that, I bought a couple of Marumi CPLs.