Polarising filters

[PistonReg]

I've jsut come back from a trip to Tailand and got some great shots, but the sun glare in a few is rather annoying. I believe apolarising filter can help wiht this and am looking to get one.

I found this at Jessops:
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Cam...

Is it a polarising filter and is there anything in particular I should look for in one?

[_dobbo_]

No, that's a skylight filter. This is a polarising filter:

Can be had for less money than that.

For digital the key things are that you want a circular polariser and you want the filter size to fit your biggest lens front element size.

[PistonReg]

_dobbo_ said:

No, that's a skylight filter. This is a polarising filter:

Can be had for less money than that.

For digital the key things are that you want a circular polariser and you want the filter size to fit your biggest lens front element size.

Hey thanks Dobbo!

I presumed I'd need to buy one filter per lens, but are you saying that so long as I buy a filter to fit the largest lens of mine, I can use it on the smaller ones?

[SamHH]

You can get thread adapters to allow you to use filters of one size on lens threads of another size. Might be more economical if you buy an expensive filter.

[Established 1984]

PistonReg said:

I presumed I'd need to buy one filter per lens, but are you saying that so long as I buy a filter to fit the largest lens of mine, I can use it on the smaller ones?

You'll also need to buy an addapter ring, they are made in a range of size i.e. 62 to 58mm and available form most camera shops.

Also, ebay is much cheap than Jessops for Hoya filters, infact I think anywhere probably is. I think they make more money selling accesseries to go with a camera than they do on the camera.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

PistonReg said:

_dobbo_ said:

Can be had for less money than that.

I presumed I'd need to buy one filter per lens, but are you saying that so long as I buy a filter to fit the largest lens of mine, I can use it on the smaller ones?

Here's the expensive, but good solution - the Lee system.

A cheaper filter and step-down rings would be the most cost-effective option.

[kman]

Hi,

I'm basically just starting out playing with DSLR cameras and got a quick question - since a polarising filter gives better contrasts as well as reducing glare, is this something you'd always keep on the lens when taking photographs? Or is it just for outdoor photos or photos where theres lots of unwanted glare/reflections off shiny surfaces (Im hopefully going to the Geneva motor show next month and wondering whether the filter is necessary to get the best shots of the cars)?

Thanks...

[flat-planedCrank]

kman said:

Hi,

I'm basically just starting out playing with DSLR cameras and got a quick question - since a polarising filter gives better contrasts as well as reducing glare, is this something you'd always keep on the lens when taking photographs? Or is it just for outdoor photos or photos where theres lots of unwanted glare/reflections off shiny surfaces (Im hopefully going to the Geneva motor show next month and wondering whether the filter is necessary to get the best shots of the cars)?

Thanks...

The main reason not to have one attached all the time - you reduce the amount of light entering the lens by 1.5 - 2 stops. This will often hamper the autofocus (unless its a really bright day).

(You of course have to deal with all the other effects of reduced light - can you maintain the required shutter-speed? if not do you have a tripod to hold the camera steady ? or raise iso ? etc..)


Your probably best to leave it off, then attach it if you think the situation requires it

Some examples of polarised shots here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarising_filter


Cheers.

[Major Bloodnok]

Cokin is a cheaper alternative to the Lee system (although not of such high quality).

As to leaving it on the lens - no. Polarisers are not a universal panacea. as has been mentioned, they cut about 1.5-2 stops of light into the lens, but also, they don't always work. For example, they can enhance the blue of the sky, but only if your camera is pointing at about 90 degrees to the sun. Also, since you have to rotate them to get the effect, if they're mounted on a lens that rotates when it focuses, you're storing up a heap of frustration.