circular polarizing filters.... ?

[jfred]

Thinking of getting one/two of these babies in preparation for upcoming vacation. Going to South Africa and think daytime landscape shots might benefit.

I used a standard polarising filter on my old manual-focus 35mm SLR and liked the increase in contrast it gave (and the reduction in reflections). For AutoFocus to work, I gather i need a circular polarising filter. Are these pretty similar in use to the "old fashioned" type?

Obviously there's a lot of playing around in photoshop you can do with a digicam image after-the-event, but I don't think I could recreate the effect of this particular filter (or perhaps this is down to my lack of photoshop skills!). The plus side of photoshop is that you can do and undo your effects without interfering with the original raw image data... whereas once you've taken a picture with a filter in front of your lens.. there's no easy way of "undoing" the filter effects later.

Any recommendations about these filters, brands or hint's and tips?

Thanks in advance!

[mdr]

Polarising effects cannot be created retrospectively in Photoshop. A polariser is the only filter whose effect cannot be reproduced on the computer!

The circular polariser works exactly the same as the linear one you have. Only difference is the circular 'construction' allowing AF to operate.

Best screw in filters on the market are Hoya Pro1 and B&W HMC polarising filters, although they are costly, particularly for larger filter threads, they are worth the extra cash if you can afford it.

I use a professional Lee filter system which includes a 105mm circular polariser. It's a spectacular piece of glass. If it had been made by Canon, it would be an L :D.

TIP: Suggest you buy one filter for the largest lens thread you've got, and buy stepping rings to allow this one to be used on your other lenses with smaller threads. Saves you a lot of money, not having to buy one for every size of lens thread you've got.

[ron chappel]

Absolutally,definitely be carefull buying polarizers for long lenses!
It's not discussed on the net much but polarizers are one of those things that can go completly tits-up wrong if you buy too cheap.

I found this out last year with a cheap brand example.It was **SO BAD** that i simply couldn't achieve focus (even manually) when using it on a long lens.Talk about blury!!
It was then i started asking around and found out what the go was.

So buy a good brand or-if you need to save money- just buy well before your trip so you have time to test and replace if nessesary

[Ben]

TIP: Suggest you buy one filter for the largest lens thread you've got, and buy stepping rings to allow this one to be used on your other lenses with smaller threads. Saves you a lot of money, not having to buy one for every size of lens thread you've got.
I currently have a 28-135mm lens which would take a 72mm filter. Would I be better off buying a 77mm filter and a stepping ring if i plan to buy a 70-200 later on?

[IainB]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45595&highlight=circular+polarizing

[mdr]

I would say it future poorfs you for a variety of Canon L lenses including the 17-40 f4 and 24-70 f2.8.

[Europa]

Best screw in filters on the market are Hoya Pro1 and B&W HMC polarising filters, although they are costly
I'd add Heliopan to that group.

[dwildone]

Absolutally,definitely be carefull buying polarizers for long lenses!
It's not discussed on the net much but polarizers are one of those things that can go completly tits-up wrong if you buy too cheap.

I found this out last year with a cheap brand example.It was **SO BAD** that i simply couldn't achieve focus (even manually) when using it on a long lens.Talk about blury!!
It was then i started asking around and found out what the go was.

So buy a good brand or-if you need to save money- just buy well before your trip so you have time to test and replace if nessesary

I second this. I recently had the same problem with a 100-400L and a cheap CP bought from a local camera store, and went through the whole issue in this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54780&highlight=circular+polarizer+problem) thread . Save yourself the hassle and buy one of the quality brands already mentioned here. :)