Question On Circular Polarizer Use

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Zeke_M

Senior Member
Getting ready to pull the trigger on a couple of Hoya CPL's. Hoya HD's for those keeping score.
I did a search to see what CPL's the kool kids were using.
I noticed that some members were keeping a polarizer on a given lens most of the time when outdoors. Even if there wasn't snow or water around.
Not quite sure how to phrase the question (getting more coffee. It's early.)
Outside of the usual water and snow pics, does the polarizer help in general outdoor photography and why?

Thanks in advance
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Zeke_M said:
Getting ready to pull the trigger on a couple of Hoya CPL's. Hoya HD's for those keeping score.
I did a search to see what CPL's the kool kids were using.
I noticed that some members were keeping a polarizer on a given lens most of the time when outdoors. Even if there wasn't snow or water around.
Not quite sure how to phrase the question (getting more coffee. It's early.)
Outside of the usual water and snow pics, does the polarizer help in general outdoor photography and why?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I'll take a stab at this and say yes... Simply put because there is a lot of reflected light "out there" that is affecting your shots. A polarizing filter sort of "cleans up" a lot of stray reflected light that is not essential. It's one of those things you don't really notice until it's removed. The effect is typically subtle, but I find my shots taken with a polarizing filter look "cleaner", with slightly better contrast and saturation.Yes, you could increase the contrast and/or saturation in post' but to my knowledge you can't actually duplicate the effect a CPL has using software.
 
R

RobHD

Senior Member
i got one in a pack when i bought my 35mm prime lens, i still havent used it as i was trying to figure out what id use it for, infact ive not used any of them, pack of 3 - CPL, UV and one for street lights.
I did have a play with how the CPL works and just watching the Live view im guessing for proper landscapes its going to be great as it keeps a constant appearance to the sky with out losing details or over blowing the colour
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I'll add my .02. I have a CPL on my 18-55, 99% of the time. It works well for most landscape/skyscape shots. There are a few quirks that you will find in using it. 1. it works best when at about a 90° angle with the sun. 2. On the wide end of the lens it can give some weird effects ie sky colors (light blue vs. dark blue spots). 3. Unless you are shooting in mainly one direction, the quick shots in many directions will not have the CPL adjusted for maximum effect. All of these are reasons that I usually only have it on the 18-55 which is more than likely used for the shots that can have some time to set things up. I have a CPL for the 70-300, but I usually don't have it on that lens because of the type of shots ie BIF from all directions and it is hard to change adjustments with the lens hood in place. The CPL has its place and is very useful when needed.
 
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RON_RIP

Senior Member
My polarizers stay on my lenses 95% of the time. Only when I am shooting indoors or in deep twilight or at night. I feel that they make clouds better delineated and help saturate colors better on a cloudy day. 2 points though, I always shoot at iso 400 and my white balance is normally set to cloudy. This helps to offset any exposure loss caused by the cpl.
 
B

Bukitimah

Senior Member
I have used and still owned the cpl. But when I change my lens from 52 to 67 mm, you cannot use the fitter anymore. Maybe a slot in filter is better? Any suggestion?
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
bukitimah said:
i have used and still owned the cpl. But when i change my lens from 52 to 67 mm, you cannot use the fitter anymore. Maybe a slot in filter is better? Any suggestion?
Click to expand...
if you do not have a lens which the filter (52) will fit sell it or trade it in for one that does fit. Camera stores may have stock of used filters (67) which can save you money.


 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Bukitimah said:
I have used and still owned the cpl. But when I change my lens from 52 to 67 mm, you cannot use the fitter anymore. Maybe a slot in filter is better? Any suggestion?
Click to expand...

You can buy a CPL filter to fit the largest diameter lens you own. If your largest lens takes a 67mm filter, then that would be the one to get. Then you can get step-up rings to fit the filter to smaller lenses.

A step-up ring would fit the size of the filter and have a second thread on it to fit it to a smaller lens. 52→67 would work for your example. You just want to be sure to get step-up rings and not step-down rings. The latter won't fit properly plus they cause vignetting.

Here is a Sensei brand ring that would fit. I have at least one by this company, and it is made very well. It is also slimmer which is preferable over one that is thicker.

The down side to using step-up rings is that your lens hood won't fit onto the lens when using step-up rings, but you can easily shield the sun from the lens with your hand (or a hat if you wear one). The alternative is to buy CPL's to fit every size lens you own which is what I do. Initially when I started out, I bought a large filter and used step-up rings to save money.

Sensei 52-67mm Step-Up Ring SUR-5267 B&H Photo Video

Sensei_sur5267_52_67mm_Step_Up_Ring_1351027412000_809616.jpg
 
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