Tips for using a Circular Polarizing filter with a G5?

[devs101]

As the subject say I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or advice they can share with me on using a Circular Polarizing filter with a G5?

Many Thanks,

Devs

[abel]

none really... othen than usin it for outside landscape shots...

i use mine quite a bit.

[devs101]

Hi mate I was hoping for some tips on its use the best times to use it how to use it etc? I did a couple of test shots and it didn't seem to make any difference ;(

[abel]

well... u should have a line on the filter that shows u the side where the filter will be darkest... i rotate the filter so that line is pointed up towards the sky in order to richen up the blues in the sky.

if u are taking a portrait pic (camera vertical) then u turn the filter so the line is on the top towards the sky etc

this is how ive been using mine

[devs101]

Thats a great help abel! many thanks for that I didn't understand where the marker should be turned to etc.

Cheers,

dEVS! ;)

[ccauss]

well... u should have a line on the filter that shows u the side where the filter will be darkest... i rotate the filter so that line is pointed up towards the sky in order to richen up the blues in the sky.

if u are taking a portrait pic (camera vertical) then u turn the filter so the line is on the top towards the sky etc

this is how ive been using mine

The only difference with you is that I pointed the line towards the sun :)

Claude

[d'Lord]

For best results, shoot perpendicular (90deg) from the sun, turn the ring till you get a dark blue sky.

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[s00pcan]

Man in my physics class today I learned how polarizing light works and now I understand why you can rotate the filter, and why circular filters are needed. neat.

[abel]

explain a bit... im interested

[ccauss]

explain a bit... im interested

See this url

http://travel.howstuffworks.com/sunglass4.htm

Claude

[slejhamer]

Here's a tip for using a polarizer:

Always turn the outer ring in the direction of the inner ring's threads (clockwise if you are looking at the front of the camera.) This will prevent the polarizer from falling off the camera if it is not screwed on tightly.

Don't ask. :oops:

[kreego]

Don't ask. :oops:

Hmmm, this sounds familiar 8)

Hope this isn't off-topic, but does one need to dial in extra compensation when using a polarizing filter?

K

[slejhamer]

Hope this isn't off-topic, but does one need to dial in extra compensation when using a polarizing filter?


Not if you are using an automatic (or semi-automatic) exposure mode, as the camera should adjust for the loss of light either by opening up the aperture or by slowing down the shutter speed.

If you are setting exposure manually, you will need to make similar adjustments yourself. A polarizer typically cuts 1-1/2 to 2 stops of light.

[shniks]

I have a couple things to add. The easiest way to use the polariser with a G5 is to have it in manual mode or to have the exposure locked. The you will able to see the effects of turning the polarising filter around immediately in the lcd, you will see the colours getting richer, so you can decide on the exact effect you want. If you just leave it in normal mode, the camera will compensate for exposure and the effect will be less obvious.
Once you have figured out exactly where to leave the polarising dial, you can then re-expose the shot, if it has become too dark.
I love using one with my G5, it makes nature scenes look so much better.

[Rowboffin]

A couple of random thoughts about polarizers:

Some polarizers have the blocking axis marked and others the pass axis so whether the line should be pointing towards or at 90 degrees to the sun depends upon the type you happen to have.

As already mentioned, polarizers are most effective for deepening the blue of skies and increasing contrast on hazy days when you're shooting at 90 degrees to the sun. They're pretty much useless for this if you're shooting at less than 60 or more than 130 degrees from the sun. In those circumstances the polarizer is just acting as a neutral density filter.

Also, since scattered light is polarized perpendicularly to the sun, at noon when the sun is directly overhead the arc of polarization lies pretty close to the horizon and thus there's little point using a polarizer in these circumstances.

You have to be careful when you're using a polarizer with a wide-angle lens since this can lead to sky banding. The parts of the sky where the polarizer is blocking the light will appear darker but the sky will be lighter on either side of the "optimum" angle.

The other use for polarizers is for cancelling or reducing reflections from glass and shiny non-metallic surfaces (it won't work with specular reflections off chrome bumpers, for instance). If you're shooting through a plate glass window and want to cancel the reflections on the outside of the glass then you should shoot at an angle of 35 degrees to the glass and turn the line on the ring of your polarizer either perpendicular to or paralllel to the glass (depending on whether the pass or block axis is marked).

For cancelling/reducing reflections off horizontal, reflective surfaces shoot pointing down at 35 degrees to the surface and turn the ring so that the line is either perpendicular to or paralllel to the surface (depending on the type).

A more detailed coverage of this stuff is here:

http://dpfwiw.com/polarizer.htm

Oh, a quick after-thought: if you're having trouble seeing the difference adjusting the polarizer is making as you turn the ring then take it off the camera and just look through it (make sure its the right way round though). Its often alot easier to see the effect the polarizer is having than trying to see it on the LCD when its on the camera. This is also the best way of determining whether the pass or block axis is marked on your polarizer since its not often documented and different manufacturers tend to follow different rules :shock: