Circ Pol Filters vs. lense hoods

[Rigby470]

OK, I've been doing much reading in old posts. I am about to go on a cruise and I want to be able to cut sun glare from my photos. I was about to hit the order button at BH on a Hoya Circ Pol filter AND a lense hood for my 28-135 IS USM, then I started reading.

It seems it would be a real trick to use both a lense hood and a CP filter together, since you have to twist the filter to gain optimum effect. (Note: I'm not crazy about having to monkey around with my filter with each shot, but not sure what I can do. Suggestions? Is it worth it?)

Should I forego the CP filter and just stick with a lense hood? Or lose the lense hood and just use the filter? I like the idea of being about to darken the sky, etc. with the CP filter. That sounds cool! But it sounds like a CP filter would be something to use only on special occasions for specific shots, not just to leave on the lense full-time for every shot. Am I correct on this?

Sorry about all the questions. I tried to study some and not ask a bunch of questions which have already been covered.

Thanks once again,

Keith

[rent]

you are correct about CP not being used full-time.

i agree swapping filter/lens hood can be a hassle. i personally dont have this set up, but the EW78BII hood may be just large enough for you to stick your fingers in to rotate the CP. I do this all the time with my 16-35mm/f2.8L with the hood on.

something else i often do before putting the CP on a hard-to-reach lens: just hold the CP in front of you and look at the scene you want to photograph thru it while rotating the CP. if you don't see the effect you like, or the CP doesn't make any difference, then you don't even need to bother with it.

good luck!

-alex

[blue_max]

UV filter is virtually transparent, whereas a polariser is quite dark and you lose about two stops of light. The UV is more for protection than effect, whereas the polariser is about effect (dampen down reflections when twisted). You could twist the polariser until you get the effect you want and then add the hood (you would probably need a tripod).

Hope that helps.

Graham

[Rigby470]

Thanks for the info Alex and Graham! Very helpful!

This board is fantastic!

Keith

[robertwgross]

I have certain lenses that I always use with a lens hood. I have certain other lenses that I never use with a lens hood, and those are the ones that I use with a polarizer on some occasions.

A lens hood has several purposes. One is to keep out stray light from entering the front of the lens. The closer you get aimed toward the sun direction, the more important that is.

On the other hand, a polarizer is generally used best at 90 degrees away from the sun direction. There, the hood might be used, but it is not so important for keeping out stray light.

---Bob Gross---

[SkipD]

Keith - go ahead and get both the CP filter and the hood.

The filter screws into the internal threads at the front of the lens. The hood has a 1/4-turn quick connection to the fitting around the front of the lens. You can easily remove the hood, adjust the CP filter, and reinstall the hood without affecting the filter position. Depending on the depth of the hood at any particular zoom setting, you may be able to adjust the filter rotation with the hood in place as well.

Some folks (particularly camera store sales people) will tell you that you "need" a UV (or skylight) filter for protection of the lens. With a good quality lens hood, you normally don't need any other protection for the front element of the lens. Most of the folks who I see using a filter as protection don't use a lens hood, and I fully understand why they are constantly cleaning the filter - it's fully exposed to their fingers and other things that will contaminate the front surface. A decent hood will keep your fingers (and a lot more) from touching the front lens element, and will also act as a bumper to keep the lens from banging into things.

[MarkoPolo]

I have that same combination and generally can use a finger to reach inside the lens hood and rotate just fine without taking off the hood. It takes a little practice, but soon becomes second nature. It's a very useful filter and you'll love what it can do for your photos. Hope this helps.