Filters! Couple Questions.

HybridCreations

HybridCreations

Well-known member
Hey everybody,

I just wanted to find out some other uses for polarizing filters. Beyond making the sky bluer and killing reflections (say on a windshield). I have a Tiffen 72mm screw-in Circular Polarizer.

Also, I'm thinking about getting a Filter Kit from Tiffen. Most of their kits seem to have 2 good filters and one basically useless filter but this one looks like it might be worth it. I think I'll get the most use out of the ND Grad and the Pro-mist. Thoughts?

Tiffen Special Effects Filter Kit

Thanks,
Ryan

P.S. Sorry Mr. Turner, can't afford the Schneiders. :cheesy:
 
Polarizers do what you said -- make the sky bluer, and minimize reflections. For those two purposes alone they qualify as a "must have". But the reflection thing can make a huge difference outdoors as well -- leaves and grass can reflect glare, and the polarizer can cut through that reflection and let the images really pop.
 
I like linear polarizers myself, since you can rotate them to contol glare or reflections.

ND grads are nice to have, but I always try to limit my exterior shooting anyways, with video that is.

enhancing filters can be nice in the right situation to make colors pop.

the above are all exterior choices

for interior with video, a 1/4 pro mist or 1/2 to 1 soft FX are the most common. Many people only use them for close up shots on female characters. Particularly with DV, these filters are seldom needed because the resolution is already low and these degrade the image further.
 
Thanks guys.
The tip about using the polarizer to cut grass reflection is just what I was looking for. I probably wouldn't have even thought to put it on to cut grass or leaf reflection! BTW Icarus, I CAN rotate my circular polarizer to "dial-out" reflections etc. I thought the opposite was true about Linear Pol's, that you couldn't rotate them(?)

As far as the Pro-mist goes, I believe that the 1/4 that the kit comes with is the "weakest" pro-mist you can get. I figure it might add a nice softness to some shots (and highlights), even if it does give the appearance of a lower resolution. I'd rather not rely on doing it in post. The Gold FX/Diffusion will probably do the same thing (maybe a little stronger) but since I have Color-Temp control on the camera I probably won't need that much.

Thanks for your help guys, I really want my colors to pop LOUD and you've convinced me that this kit might be an asset.
-Ryan
 
Both linear and circular polarizers are rotateable. The difference is in how they polarize light, not in whether they can be rotated -- they both require rotation in order to be effective.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top