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polarising filter

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devman613
(@devman)
Posts: 782
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Topic starter
 

Hi since changing from film to digital I have not used a polerising filter because of the different thread size of lenses. I like the effect that a polerising filter produces, but will I get the same benefits with digital?

"Try to live a good life. Don't be afraid to be what you are'. some bloke in the pub.

 
Posted : March 29, 2015 10:28 pm
(@smash)
Posts: 137
Estimable Member
 

Should be exactly the same, I used one on my last holiday in bright sunshine. I find it's best to pre-focus, then rotate the polariser to see how it affects the image.

 
Posted : March 29, 2015 10:32 pm
barelee
(@leefos)
Posts: 587
Honorable Member
 

I seem to remember from the dim and distant past that you need to use a circular polarising filter with digital as the liner ones mess with the sensor (or was it the othe way round?).

OK me memory is going, but I'd check on the internet if I were you.

Boundaries are there to be stretched!

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 7:18 am
JMNude
(@jmnude)
Posts: 887
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I have often used a graduated Polarising filter with my DSLR and it works just as well as it did with film. I don't see any reason why there should be any difference at all - instead of light falling on chemicals and reacting, the light is altering the charge on a cell instead.

The only issue I can see is if your camera resolution is higher than the filter density you could end up with strips, so you may need to make sure you have a fine filter - but depending on focal length you may well not see this anyway.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 8:46 am
Davie
(@nakeddavie)
Posts: 1398
Noble Member
 

I've used one on a number of occasions without any problems my on my DSLR. Amazon sell them as do 7dayshop with prices below £5.00.

Davie  8)

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 9:10 am
RodB
 RodB
(@rodb)
Posts: 486
Reputable Member
 

Circular polarising filters are by all accounts, better for digital SLRs. I use them and they work very well. You can even use them as a mild neutral density filter. That could be the topic of a new thread.

R.B.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 9:22 am
milfmog
(@tazzymutt)
Posts: 326
Reputable Member
 

Circular polarising filters are by all accounts, better for digital SLRs. I use them and they work very well. You can even use them as a mild neutral density filter. That could be the topic of a new thread.

The guidance in my old Canon SLR manual was that linear polarizers tend to mess up the autofocus system, while circular polarizers do not. This may be less true with newer cameras.

A circular polarizer will reduce glare and enhance colour, but will not be impacted by rotating it, whereas a linear polarizer will allow you a little more control by permitting you to adjust the effect of the filter once you have composed your shot.

Have fun,

Ian.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 10:38 am
Lee@Joyce
(@leejoyce)
Posts: 45
Eminent Member
 

I got mine in Corralejo will have to buy another as I've just bought a new Canon D70 and the old one won't fit the new bigger lens. But have never had a problem with the pictures.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 11:09 am
cherry and john
(@cherry-and-john)
Posts: 1433
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A circular polariser on a DSLR will need to be rotated to use it BUT the strength of the effect may not be always obvious depending on the light around at the time. The best results are usually in bright sunny and contrasty conditions where the sun is roughly at right angles to the direction you're pointed in.

ND varies from filter to filter but usually only around 1-2 stops making them a bit of a also-ran (and expensive) way to cure an exposure issue. If you NEED to use ND then you usually need a lot more.
HTH

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 11:10 am
Lee@Joyce
(@leejoyce)
Posts: 45
Eminent Member
 

Fantastic pictures John and Cherry, I love the one of Alexander warf With the ship, the sunset on Cherrys with the boat looks electric.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 11:28 am
milfmog
(@tazzymutt)
Posts: 326
Reputable Member
 

A circular polariser on a DSLR will need to be rotated to use it BUT the strength of the effect may not be always obvious depending on the light around at the time. The best results are usually in bright sunny and contrasty conditions where the sun is roughly at right angles to the direction you're pointed in.

This is only true if the circular polarizer in question is actually a combination of elements, one linear polarizer and one circular. This is apparently the typical construction of modern "circular" polarizers, so to all practical intents and purposes you are correct. (At least, that's what Wikipedia says, so it must be true  ;))

Have fun,

Ian.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 2:04 pm
cherry and john
(@cherry-and-john)
Posts: 1433
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(At least, that's what Wikipedia says, so it must be true  ;))

Ian, LOL. Actually I popped my 30 quid Hoya Circ Polar onto the Nikon and checked, just to make sure 🙂

Lee@Joyce ... many thanks. Cherry's was in Finland where she used to live although I think it was at some ungodly early hour that personally I wouldn't even think about! 🙂

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 2:55 pm
devman613
(@devman)
Posts: 782
Member
Topic starter
 

My polariser was a circular that was part of the old coken system,  it was a bit difficult to rotate as the filter carrier would tend to rotate as well. 
Here's another one. Will a red filter make skys more dramatic if used on a digital on mono. I suppose I could hold a red coken against the lense to find out, but then we wouldn't be able to discuss.

"Try to live a good life. Don't be afraid to be what you are'. some bloke in the pub.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 5:05 pm
(@shadowchaser)
Posts: 111
Estimable Member
 

Colour filters are less effective on digital, also if you shoot in raw, the image will be colour any way, better using no grad, or even ading later in post production

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 7:05 pm
cherry and john
(@cherry-and-john)
Posts: 1433
Member
 

Shadowchaser is right. In Lightroom for example there are a load of presets to use that will give you every colour filter you'd ever need for your B&W images. And very good they are and you can also make your own. But, of course, you do need to shoot in RAW.

 
Posted : March 30, 2015 10:46 pm
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