Circular Polarizer

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 03:04 PM

Quick question, are Circular Polarizers applicable to most photography? is there a time when you would not need one?

Ira · 04-05-2010, 03:11 PM

Don't use indoors, or under heavy shade outdoors, although heavy cloud cover is okay,

Remember that you're losing a full stop or more, depending the filter.

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Don't use indoors, or under heavy shade outdoors, although heavy cloud cover is okay,

Remember that you're losing a full stop or more, depending the filter.

Ohs ... trying to find 1 filter for each lens... so yeah basically trying to find one for my kit lens and 50-300mm maybe... so that it would protect it (mainly from dust) that I would never have to take off.

The Kurly One · 04-05-2010, 03:20 PM

THen you arent after a Polarizer (not that I know much) but I beleive you are after a UV or Skylight or 1A filter.... something like that...

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by The Kurly One

THen you arent after a Polarizer (not that I know much) but I beleive you are after a UV or Skylight or 1A filter.... something like that...

Ohs ;/... ehh... I don't really know what to get now... ;P. There's something called a protector... and there's also the ones you mentioned!

photolady95 · 04-05-2010, 03:28 PM

A polarizer does something different than a UV filter does. Most UV or Skylight filters are not needed and trying to use one to keep dust off the lenses isn't going to work either because you can get dust on the filter and still have to clean it.

A polarizer cuts glare on windows, and water and deepens blue skies.

Ratmagiclady · 04-05-2010, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by NecroticSoldier

Ohs ;/... ehh... I don't really know what to get now... ;P. There's something called a protector... and there's also the ones you mentioned!

There is no actual photographic term 'Protector.'

If you are spending money on a good piece of filter glass, it may as well be a UV. If it is not, that is not a worry.

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

There is no actual photographic term 'Protector.'

If you are spending money on a good piece of filter glass, it may as well be a UV. If it is not, that is not a worry.

Oh... uhh Iunno there was this thing selling at the store by Hoya. It was labelled "protector" I don't know what it does though... besides protecting.

Ira · 04-05-2010, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by NecroticSoldier

Ohs ... trying to find 1 filter for each lens... so yeah basically trying to find one for my kit lens and 50-300mm maybe... so that it would protect it (mainly from dust) that I would never have to take off.

The overwhelming consensus is aside from a polarizer, which can DRASTICALLY impact and improve images under certain conditions, UVs and skylights do nothing but put an extra piece of glass, usually crappy, between your good lenses (I hope) and what you're shooting.

We all appreciate the care you're trying to take with your gear, but believe us, it's not worth it.

bdery · 04-05-2010, 03:55 PM

Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind.

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by Ira

The overwhelming consensus is aside from a polarizer, which can DRASTICALLY impact and improve images under certain conditions, UVs and skylights do nothing but put an extra piece of glass, usually crappy, between your good lenses (I hope) and what you're shooting.

We all appreciate the care you're trying to take with your gear, but believe us, it's not worth it.

Oh, okay! I think I'll just get a polarizer and take it off ONLY when I don't need it

so that way, it would be on it for most of the time so it would be protected to some extent. Anyways... my lens hood would do fine... that IS if I ever drop my camera (which is once... but I learned my lesson ;D) More worried about dust getting on to the front element and maybe seeping into the middle elements though.

Originally posted by bdery

Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind.

Never knew that, thank you! I'll keep that in mind, and will know the full extent of this by experimentation ;D.

Ira · 04-05-2010, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by bdery

Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind.

I use the Cokin system, and no. Plus, even if you buy one standard screw-in polarizer that you have at the widest filter diameter of all your lenses, and buy cheap step-up rings for your other lenses, again...no.

For a 10mm maybe, but for standard wide angles, no problem.

Ira · 04-05-2010, 04:04 PM

Dust is not going to creep into your lens, and if it does, it has a lot of places to creep besides the front element.

It might creep in by the time you give it to your GRANDCHILDREN, but for God's sake--they're not even born yet.

NecroticSoldier · 04-05-2010, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Ira

I use the Cokin system, and no. Plus, even if you buy one standard screw-in polarizer that you have at the widest filter diameter of all your lenses, and buy cheap step-up rings for your other lenses, again...no.

For a 10mm maybe, but for standard wide angles, no problem.

Oh yeah... I'm not planning on a Fish eye or DA 12-24mm for a while... so it's 18mm for now.

JeffJS · 04-05-2010, 06:04 PM

Don't waste your money on UV or Protector filters. Right after I took this picture, I took them off of ALL my lenses and that flare/ghosting went away. K10d, Sigma 17-70.

04-05-2010, 03:04 PM	#1
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488	Circular Polarizer Quick question, are Circular Polarizers applicable to most photography? is there a time when you would not need one?

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04-05-2010, 03:11 PM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Don't use indoors, or under heavy shade outdoors, although heavy cloud cover is okay, Remember that you're losing a full stop or more, depending the filter.

04-05-2010, 03:18 PM	#3
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira Don't use indoors, or under heavy shade outdoors, although heavy cloud cover is okay, Remember that you're losing a full stop or more, depending the filter. Ohs ... trying to find 1 filter for each lens... so yeah basically trying to find one for my kit lens and 50-300mm maybe... so that it would protect it (mainly from dust) that I would never have to take off.

04-05-2010, 03:20 PM	#4
The Kurly One Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 233	THen you arent after a Polarizer (not that I know much) but I beleive you are after a UV or Skylight or 1A filter.... something like that...

04-05-2010, 03:24 PM	#5
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by The Kurly One THen you arent after a Polarizer (not that I know much) but I beleive you are after a UV or Skylight or 1A filter.... something like that... Ohs ;/... ehh... I don't really know what to get now... ;P. There's something called a protector... and there's also the ones you mentioned!

04-05-2010, 03:28 PM	#6
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	A polarizer does something different than a UV filter does. Most UV or Skylight filters are not needed and trying to use one to keep dust off the lenses isn't going to work either because you can get dust on the filter and still have to clean it. A polarizer cuts glare on windows, and water and deepens blue skies.

04-05-2010, 03:49 PM	#7
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by NecroticSoldier Ohs ;/... ehh... I don't really know what to get now... ;P. There's something called a protector... and there's also the ones you mentioned! There is no actual photographic term 'Protector.' If you are spending money on a good piece of filter glass, it may as well be a UV. If it is not, that is not a worry.

04-05-2010, 03:52 PM	#8
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady There is no actual photographic term 'Protector.' If you are spending money on a good piece of filter glass, it may as well be a UV. If it is not, that is not a worry. Oh... uhh Iunno there was this thing selling at the store by Hoya. It was labelled "protector" I don't know what it does though... besides protecting.

04-05-2010, 03:55 PM	#9
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by NecroticSoldier Ohs ... trying to find 1 filter for each lens... so yeah basically trying to find one for my kit lens and 50-300mm maybe... so that it would protect it (mainly from dust) that I would never have to take off. The overwhelming consensus is aside from a polarizer, which can DRASTICALLY impact and improve images under certain conditions, UVs and skylights do nothing but put an extra piece of glass, usually crappy, between your good lenses (I hope) and what you're shooting. We all appreciate the care you're trying to take with your gear, but believe us, it's not worth it.

04-05-2010, 03:55 PM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind.

04-05-2010, 04:00 PM	#11
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira The overwhelming consensus is aside from a polarizer, which can DRASTICALLY impact and improve images under certain conditions, UVs and skylights do nothing but put an extra piece of glass, usually crappy, between your good lenses (I hope) and what you're shooting. We all appreciate the care you're trying to take with your gear, but believe us, it's not worth it. Oh, okay! I think I'll just get a polarizer and take it off ONLY when I don't need it so that way, it would be on it for most of the time so it would be protected to some extent. Anyways... my lens hood would do fine... that IS if I ever drop my camera (which is once... but I learned my lesson ;D) More worried about dust getting on to the front element and maybe seeping into the middle elements though. Originally posted by bdery Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind. Never knew that, thank you! I'll keep that in mind, and will know the full extent of this by experimentation ;D.

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04-05-2010, 04:01 PM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by bdery Remembe that, at wide angles, the polarizer will not have an even effect. It can look somewhat like vignetting. that's something to bear in mind. I use the Cokin system, and no. Plus, even if you buy one standard screw-in polarizer that you have at the widest filter diameter of all your lenses, and buy cheap step-up rings for your other lenses, again...no. For a 10mm maybe, but for standard wide angles, no problem.

04-05-2010, 04:04 PM	#13
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Dust is not going to creep into your lens, and if it does, it has a lot of places to creep besides the front element. It might creep in by the time you give it to your GRANDCHILDREN, but for God's sake--they're not even born yet.

04-05-2010, 04:04 PM	#14
NecroticSoldier Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 488 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira I use the Cokin system, and no. Plus, even if you buy one standard screw-in polarizer that you have at the widest filter diameter of all your lenses, and buy cheap step-up rings for your other lenses, again...no. For a 10mm maybe, but for standard wide angles, no problem. Oh yeah... I'm not planning on a Fish eye or DA 12-24mm for a while... so it's 18mm for now.

04-05-2010, 06:04 PM	#15
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Don't waste your money on UV or Protector filters. Right after I took this picture, I took them off of ALL my lenses and that flare/ghosting went away. K10d, Sigma 17-70.