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03/23/2006 01:13:41 AM · #1 |
I've been learning a lot about over-exposure, reducing glares for nicer tones and all that. I've got a circular polarizer now and finds it a great help almost all the time.
Now, I'm thinking, can I just leave the thing on the camera all the time?
I mean, besides darkening the scene by a few stops (or less), are there any other cons (negative) or leaving the polarizer on? would it make colours dull or hazy? anything at all? My photography is rather diverse - I take potraits, landscapes, travel photography, macros, candids.
Please advise a newbie, thanks! |
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03/23/2006 01:26:28 AM · #2 |
well, if it's not set correctly, the polarizer can actually block the wrong light and be detremental to your shot.
Also, some purist will tell you that putting any filter in front of your lens (when not needed) takes away from image quality.
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03/23/2006 01:27:39 AM · #3 |
| Mostly you are losing reflections, which is usually a happy thing. But not always, if you want those bright catchlights in the portraits to make them reflect in the eyes, polarizer is not your freind. Ditto fro reflections of buildings, water, wet bricks, anyplace where the reflections are working for you. |
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03/23/2006 01:39:45 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
...
Also, some purist will tell you that putting any filter in front of your lens (when not needed) takes away from image quality. |
Especially the cheap, non-multicoated ones... get a filter get the best you can.
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03/23/2006 02:07:46 AM · #5 |
Polarizers are somewhat special purpose filters. They do no good at all if there is no ploarized shots and cause you to lose an f/stop and a half or so of light.
You want to use one where there is reflected light that has glare you want removed... they are typically used in landscape photography to make skies darker and clouds more dramatic, to reduce sky haze and/or reflections in water. Other than that you do not want to have it on. The require constant adjustment when they make a differnece and where they are useless they block needed light.
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03/23/2006 03:03:16 AM · #6 |
As you are probably aware - losing light often means a slower shutter speed, which can blur images, or other effects like reduced flash distance. Even in bright light, any fill flash will have to work harder.
The other thing I am aware of is related to the fact that polarizers work to varying degrees depending on their angle to the light source. This is a big issue taking panorama photo's where you will attempt to stitch the images back together later - The effect of the polarizer on each shot will be different.
Plenty of people leave UV filters on their camera all of the time, partly to safeguard against scratching the actual lens front element and partly to remove haze from photo's - leaving a polarizer on would be a lot less common, and there will be plenty of times where you definitely won't want it on. Once you get used to it's positive and negative impacts on photography you'll know in advance whether it will help or hinder depending on where you are taking photo's.
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03/23/2006 03:11:08 AM · #7 |
I'm glad I read this thread. Have just ordered my first polarizer and I will not keep it on at all times.
To protect my lenses, I have UV filters on at all times, kind of an insurance policy.
Name a place, outside DPC, that helps you learn something every day..... |
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03/23/2006 03:19:41 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by GuGi:
To protect my lenses, I have UV filters on at all times, kind of an insurance policy. |
But do keep an eye out becasue a UV filter can really mess up an image. I most noticed them giving me weird flare/light trails, and they decent canon filters. It happened twice in a week so I took them off.
The only time I was really happy I had a filter on was when by bag strap broke and my 28-138 IS (attached to my rebel) fell front-element down on a granite floor...the filter completly shattered but the lens is fine! Although the UV screw on metal is warped into the frame and I haven't got it off yet...
Anyways not to hijack and I know there was a debate like this in the forum a while back but I personally found that keeping the UV filter on never really did me any good, and occasionally was a bit detrimental. The front glass on my lenses are still nice and nick-free! |
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03/23/2006 03:29:00 AM · #9 |
I bought a circular polarizer a few months back. I put the filter to the light and could see how the light changed as I moved it around. I couldnt start to wait and play with this new thing.
I was doing a shoot in the UK and I left it on all the time. I found that it basically screwed up most of my shots as it was winter and a lot of shadows and the polarizer seemed to make them worse.
I then took 3 same pictures using the filter in different positions on the lens and one without, everytime better without the polarizer.
I took it off and have never used it since:-(
I also use to have a UV lens on my kit when I first started photography as I was advised to by friends, after 6 months or so and my appreciation for pictures went up I could see that all the UV lens was doing is reducing the light and reducing the quality of my pictures.
Pete
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 03:30:55.
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03/23/2006 03:29:51 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by GuGi:
I'm glad I read this thread. Have just ordered my first polarizer and I will not keep it on at all times.
To protect my lenses, I have UV filters on at all times, kind of an insurance policy. |
The UV filter first or the polarizer first?
how do you put it? :p |
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03/23/2006 04:29:00 AM · #11 |
hmmm, only one filter at at time or........
Guess I have to try without the UV on, see the difference, thanks.
Message edited by author 2006-03-23 04:30:58. |
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04/03/2006 03:16:07 AM · #12 |
Thanks to all who had shared info on polarizers.
I observed, and would like to share to other learners, that:
- a circular polarizer does not cause problems with the internal light meter
- polarizer will darken your indoor shots even with flash (flash got polarized?)
- makes a lot of difference on outdoor shots (esp sunny ones)
I'm beginning to understand when to use it effectively. Thanks again all. You guys are great. |
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04/03/2006 03:43:53 AM · #13 |
Here is a good explaination about polarizers.
I would recommend against leaving the polarizer on at all times. It has an intended use, mainly for daylight photos.
I enjoy using my polarizer, but it is a learning curve, just like every other tool in the bag:)
Good luck. |
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