Polarizer results in darker upper right corner

[danstone]

I just used a B+W circular polarizer on my 50 Canon EF F1.4 lens for this first time and the upper right of all my pictures came out much darker than the rest of the sky. As can be seen by the attached photos this happened in both horizontal and vertical pictures. In addition, the two attached pictures were taken at very different angles from the sun. Any help understanding this would be appreciated.

[Tom W]

Where is the light source?

[robertwgross]

Yes, that is about right.

In your two examples, the sun was on the left. As I stated before somewhere around here, there is a big change in the degree of polarization between the sun side and the non-sun side when you use a wide lens. So, one side looks brighter than the other. If you had used a longer lens, then you would not have seen such a difference. Some people like that effect, and some people say that it looks fake. So, if you are using a wide lens next time, maybe do some polarization "bracketing". Shoot one with the filter cranked to 100% maximum, then one with 50%, then one with none. See which you like best.

---Bob Gross---

[danstone]

In the vertical shot the sun was to the left about 45 degrees, and in the horizontal shot as best as I remember it was almost 90 degrees to my right. Both pictures were taken about midday, but the sun was low due to time of year and location.

The thing that puzzles me most is that I've taken hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures with a polarizer (on an old Canon ftb) over the last 30 years and never seen this problem.

[FlyingPete]

On the fake looking side of things, when was the last time your saw sky as dark as the top corner during the day, probably on your last sub orbital flight ;)

I'm with Bob on this, might pay to cut back the polarisation a little, as with all affects, some can be over done.

Interesting though that I had very simular results in very simular condidions, clear sky, alpine. What time of day was that taken? I ahve only had my polariser give me skies that dark in those conditions.

[CyberDyneSystems]

This is definitely pretty standard behavior, and often more noticeable on wider angle lenses...

[theflyingkiwi]

the effects you are getting is perfictly normal for the type of filter that you are using.

As I read somewhere awhile ago. If you like the effect then use it. :lol: