[paulh]

A couple from the local botanical gardens in late March. SMC Takumar 20/4.5 on *ist D:

[Dartmoor Dave]

Sometime back in the last century I swore that I would never use a polariser again. But lately I've been thinking that I really like the way the world looks through my polarising sunglasses as I'm driving along, so I'm tempted to have another try.

I picked up a cheapo called a Hoya Pro-1 to play around with, and the results are horrible (and is there anything more amateurish than a thing that says pro in its name?). It seems to completely destroy the Takumar rendering style, not just with its colour shift but with a loss of microcontrast too.

Can anyone recommend a polariser that works well with Taks, with minimum colour shift and the Takumar rendering intact? I used to get results that I liked with my old Cokin linear polariser on Kodachrome, so I'm wondering if maybe I should just look for a used one of those.

[Jonathan Mac]

I use a Marumi 49mm circular polariser occasionally and it's superb, though I've never used it on a Tak so I can't say if it does anything to the rendering. The only reason I don't use it more is laziness.

[Cabessius]

Overcast today
The yellowed radioactive Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is good for these days.
A bit stopped down, as the DOF when wide open is just too narrow for almost anything.

[Dartmoor Dave]

I use a Marumi 49mm circular polariser occasionally and it's superb, though I've never used it on a Tak so I can't say if it does anything to the rendering. The only reason I don't use it more is laziness.

Thanks Jonathan, I'll look into a Marumi filter as an option.

Here's a snap from this evening that I think would have been better with a good quality polariser to bring out a bit more structure in the sky. It also would have forced a slower shutter speed, which would have probably made for a more interesting photo.



The first rule of driving on Dartmoor is that ponies always have right of way.
The second rule of driving on Dartmoor is that if there's a sheep anywhere near the road it will jump out in front of your car and try to kill itself.
The third rule of driving on Dartmoor is that if you get passed at high speed by a maniac in a little French car, that's probably me.


EDIT: Shot with the Tak 20.

[Jonathan Mac]

Thanks Jonathan, I'll look into a Marumi filter as an option.

Here's a snap from this evening that I think would have been better with a good quality polariser to bring out a bit more structure in the sky. It also would have forced a slower shutter speed, which would have probably made for a more interesting photo.

The only photo I have which I know was shot with the Marumi is this one, using the DA 15mm and K-3. The polariser allowed me to bring out the gorgeous blue sky and beautiful clouds without any impact on sharpness, and thereby capture how it really looked. Not using the polariser on that day would have been criminal.


Stockholm by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

[MJSteele]

Overcast today
The yellowed radioactive Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is good for these days.
A bit stopped down, as the DOF when wide open is just too narrow for almost anything.

Lve the flower shot Cabessius
Nicely done

[paulh]

This tree has seen better days - Super Tak 35/3.5:

[Erictator]

This tree has seen better days - Super Tak 35/3.5:

Isn't that the tree where Jedi see their inner demons and feel the dark side?!
Nice scene to try the 35mm 3.5 on ...I have the 35f2.0 and need to try it on the K-1 sometime... so much to try, so little time.
Eric

[paulh]

Isn't that the tree where Jedi see their inner demons and feel the dark side?!
Nice scene to try the 35mm 3.5 on ...I have the 35f2.0 and need to try it on the K-1 sometime... so much to try, so little time.
Eric

Yes, I think that's the one . It's a bleak and uninviting location, at least it seemed that way in February when I took that shot. I want to return soon to see if Spring has changed things. Pls post some 35/2 images when you can!

[Bhuey55]

Spotmatic SP Takumar 200mm f3.5 preset shot on Ektar 100

[paulh]

Taken in late March with the SMC Tak 20/4.5 on *ist D:

[rayallen]

Taken in late March with the SMC Tak 20/4.5 on *ist D:

Great perspective with the 20mm, Paul.

[Cabessius]

Yes, I think that's the one . It's a bleak and uninviting location, at least it seemed that way in February when I took that shot. I want to return soon to see if Spring has changed things. Pls post some 35/2 images when you can!

While Eric takes his time to post, I can do it in the meantime.
Found a mint S-M-C Tak 35mm f/2 from a German seller at a good price (65 euros+shipping) a couple of weeks ago and now I have both (35mm f/3.5 is also the S-M-C version).
Used the f/2 only a couple of times and found that it has a bubble bokeh wide open.

Will add more when I get some time...

Xposted:

[paulh]

Great perspective with the 20mm, Paul.

Thanks Ray. The fading light was very helpful that evening as well.