Circular Polarizer

Well it works best at a 90 degree angle to the sun. So aim to shoot with the sun either on your left or right. I'm planning on getting one. Was thinking of the matte box option but that is another whole heap of cash!
 
Point it into a blue sky at a right angle to the sun. Turn it so the sky is darkest. Use the histogram or zebras to find the optimum point. I often use reflections on the ground like off a wet patch. Just rotate until the reflection is most transparent. Could also use a car windshield.

It can be used indoors but you may need to take it off to get more light in.
 
Haha didn't even see your post dazz but yea that's it. Use the rule of "thumb" to find the area of the sky most affected by polarization.
 
Well I tested it a little the day I got it, but I didn't know how to use it. Then it got overcast for the last few days, so I have not got a chance to use it.

I did find this to help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjD6tOWDhDE

And like I said, there is no turning it with the lens hood on. I thought it was something you could just leave on most of the time to make your color pop and cut reflection, but the angle of the sun is very important for proper use, so if you are out shooting random nature or people, you will have to stop to remove the lens hood, put on your polarizer, adjust(turn) it and your position in relation to the angle of the sun, put on your hood, shoot, then remove everything until you want it again. So it looks like something I will leave off until the right conditions present themselves. It's also pretty dark - reducing the light by a couple stops. I'm glad I have it, and that it's of the highest quality, but I'm not so sure I need it for 95% of my shooting. I was a little bummed because after ordering it my hours got cut to half at my video job, so I'm wondering id the 175.00 was worth it.

We'll see.

Does anyone have some tips, or will you share the way you use your polerizer? How often do you have it on your camera? What is the most common reason you use it - Sky saturation? Shooting through glass?

Thanks.
 
Yeah that video pretty much explains it all. Seems a lot of hassle without a matte box but that is another load of cash!

I think it's just a case of experimentation!
 
I use mine mostly for clouds and blue sky saturation. I'd also pull it out if I had a problem with shooting into glass windows from outside.
 
Couldn't have done without it on a music video where the artist was driving and we were shooting through the windshield. As I turned the filter, the windshield went from fully opaque to almost completely transparent. I'll post the video when it's done.
 
Cool. I'm glad I have it even if it's not something to leave on most of the time when out doors. I had hoped you could.

Actually now that I have watched some polarizer videos - I can tell when it's being used, and over used. It seem to put a dull haze over the whole shot in some cases, and I have been noticing this while watching various reality shows on my HDTV. They will be shooting a short lead in showing the outside, and the sky is saturated, but also there is a grayness to the whole shot - as if you have the NT filter on when it's not needed.

It's apparent that knowing when to use a polarizer is as important as having a good one.
 
I use a polarizer and a GND filter A LOT for my still photography, but less so with my EX1. My EX1 tends to do quite well without a polarizer, my landscape shoots have shown this, but there are times I still use one. It's harder to use, as has been noted, with video because we move and pan our cameras and the polarization effect noticeable changes. With a still camera I set up each shot statically and turn my polarizer to the desired effect, and making small changes of angle requires an adjustment.

If your general angle will be the same the polarizer works good on cutting glare on water (lakes, etc.) so you can see into the water if it's clear. If cloud contrast is especially bright it can help bring out detail in the clouds, but I prefer a GND filter for this situation if included in a larger landscape shot. Polarizers work wonders on rainbows and reducing the glare on trout to bring out the colors, etc. When going really wide angle you have to watch for uneven (distracting) polariztion effects on a blue sky, rendering some areas unnaturally darker than others.

But I always have a circular polarizer in my bag.
 
It seem to put a dull haze over the whole shot in some cases
Click to expand...

A polarizer shouldn't do that. I'm not sure about overuse. The only reason I can't leave it on all the time is because of the light loss. Otherwise I would.

there is a grayness to the whole shot - as if you have the NT filter on when it's not needed
Click to expand...

An ND filter doesn't do that. It just cuts light evenly. So having it on when not needed would simply yield an underexposed picture.
 
Yeah, that's what I meant. Underexposed takes it closer to black - which looks more gray. And "dull hase" wasn't the best choice of words. Underexposed it is.
 
I always use the polarizing filter outside. Even when it is off, or not filtering the uv rays, it acts as a neutral density filter and protects the camera lense from dirt and oils. With the hood on the EX-1, i paint a small line on the front rim of the P/F that can be seen from inside the hood. I also turn the filter rim with my finger from inside in front to make small ajustment changes to the rotation. Don't slip, or you will get a fingerprint on the filter. The power of a great P/F ajusted right is outstanding. I have taken long footage of the same scene both ways, and though it may not me apperant at first, the dept and quality of using a polarizing filter on any video camera gives a teriffic feeling of richness to it. -- Carl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top