Circular Polarizers

[Avarond]

Ive asked here before and got a "search" for it answer. Did that and couldnt find the information I wanted. So I'll ask again.

My question is what is the correct way to use a CP, Ive read all over the web about it, and they all explain what it does and how its suppose to work etc. But none actually go into detail on how to actually use it (though some sites suggested extending your fingers toward the sun and shooting to where you thumb points when its at 90 degrees type of thing). Like where do I put the white line on the outside ring (its a Hoya multicoated CP) is it only there for reference, is it supposed to point toward the sun, or what? Also turning changes the color of the image which is normal and I understand why and how its doing that but how am I sure that im actually using polarization and not just "dialing" it back to normal, or is that just a visual preference too?

Anyways its almost lake season and I was wanting to get all the information on this that I could. Basically im just wanting to use it to reduce the glare off of everything out on the water. Any suggestions on using the CP would be great also, for instance I learned that it works great on reflections on car windows from this site too.

[Scottes]

If you're using an SLR then just look through the viewfinder and spin the CPL until you get the look you want. You'll see what the sensor will see.

If you're not using an SLR then it pure luck I'd think.

[Avarond]

Guess im making this more complicated than it really is. Thanks for the reply.

[sp00g3]

The real trick with CP's is using a lens that doesn't have external focusing elements. I made this mistake trying to do a panoramic shot and because of the focusing, every shot came out different.

[Scottes]

Yep, true. Focus, THEN turn the CPL.

It is much easier with lenses that use internal focusing.

[MediaMagic]

A CP will certainly take glare off the water surface. Another good advantage is color saturation.

This little example of a rainbow (shot from my apartment balcony) was shot a couple days ago with a CP, without it, the colors would look very faint, in fact, it was almost invisible.

If you are shooting in manual mode, a CP will need + 1.5 to 2 stops. If you are in an automatic mode, the SLR will compensate automatically (although you may still need compensation depending of the composition/subject matter, same as without a CP)

By rotating the CP you can actually watch the rainbow appear brightly, fade into almost invisibility, then come back brightly, etc. Be sure to rotate it clockwise. If you rotate counterclockwise, you can inadvertantly unscrew the filter and drop it, in your case, maybe into the water.

http://mediamagicnw/shares/rainbow_small.jpg


I like the two trees at the right of the frame. Looks like lovers, standing with arms around each other watching the rainbow. I use those trees for sunrise subjects rather often. Normally I'd frame the shot better, but I didn't have time to get to another lens (rainbows can disappear in a hurry) so the 50mm 1.8 I had to suffice.

[Sendide]

I like the two trees at the right of the frame. Looks like lovers, standing with arms around each other watching the rainbow. I use those trees for sunrise subjects rather often. Normally I'd frame the shot better, but I didn't have time to get to another lens (rainbows can disappear in a hurry) so the 50mm 1.8 I had to suffice.

!! I only see an empty square up there! cold you please reattach the pic again :)

[MediaMagic]

!! I only see an empty square up there! cold you please reattach the pic again :)

Hmmmm, I have no idea why.. okay, here's the direct link, try clicking directly to the picture:

http://mediamagicnw.com/shares/rainbow_small.jpg