How much difference does it make?

[2jamesl]

Hi, Im considering purchasing a polarising filter but i dont know how much difference it makes, it improves contrast and gets rid of a certain amount of glare/reflections but was wondering, is it a dramatic improvement?

Also im considering purchasing a telephoto lens for my P880, all of these accessories need to have a 52mm screw on filter so does anyone have any recommendations?


thanks everyone

Edited by 2jamesl on Wednesday 21st November 19:13

[Major Bloodnok]

It can have a terrific effect on blue sky - especially dramatic if there are some nice cumulus in the shot. Got to have the right angle wrt the sun, though.

[2jamesl]

Oo nice, do you have any examples of what the sky can look like?

[flat-planedCrank]

2jamesl said:

Oo nice, do you have any examples of what the sky can look like?

Left without a polariser, Right with a polariser.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/CircularPolarizer.jpg/800px-CircularPolarizer.jpg 

Some more pics and an explanation of the filter on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarising_filter


Cheers.

[RobDickinson]

IMo a Polariser is one of the few filters you should have with you all the time.

Can make a huge difference with anything reflective (cars, landscapes), remove glare, haze, allows you to shoot through reflective water etc. Also brings out colours a lot more.

[5H4K]

Nah, you don't need one.

Edited by 5H4K on Wednesday 21st November 23:03

[5H4K]

As for the sky:

[Luca Brazzi]

No brainer. Especially when shooting black cars...they look stunning.

Do it, and remember you'll reduce the light by up to 75%, so need to adjust ISO accordingly. Another reason for getting a fast lens.
LB

[Longers]

2jamesl said:

.....all of these accessories need to have a 52mm screw on filter so does anyone have any recommendations?

Buy a filter and filter holder from someone like Cokin or (more costly) Lee and you can buy adaptor rings so that the holder fits any lens, which will save money in the long term if (when!) you end up with different size lenses.

[2jamesl]

thanks everybody, whilst im here can anybody help me on UV filters as amazon hs a special deal. UV & Polarizer for 30 pounds. Is a UV filter worth it?

[2jamesl]

Also, whilst im here, can i be cheeky and ask somebody to pick out 3-5 filters from this link that are best for me?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=searc...



Thanks everyone

as for the filter holder, is this the kind of thing?

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/32205/art/cokin/a2...

and if i want a telephoto lens does it have to have a certain magnification? the Kodak telephoto lens is 1.4 times which isnt enough but providing it has a 52mm thread can i use a 3times magnification one?

Edited by 2jamesl on Thursday 22 November 11:42

[Chris71]

That wiki link is pretty useful for covering filters (to a newbie like me anyway...)

Does anyone here use the more 'arty' filters - overtly tinted shots, graduated filters etc?

[Gemm]

2jamesl said:

as for the filter holder, is this the kind of thing?

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/32205/art/cokin/a2...

This is the typical Cokin filter holder (comes in 'A' or 'P' sizes). I'm sure I've got 'A' version somewhere in my drawers with lots of filters (including polariser, grey grad etc), so let me know if you are interested.

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/fi...