What are the Benefits of a Filter?
As you become familiar with a polarizing filter, you'll find that your still and nature scenes can become greatly enhanced. Because this filter allows the ability to seemingly darken the sky, while at the same time being able to remove reflections from both water and other shiny surface, you'll find it to be a great help to your photography efforts. It is the only filter of its kind that can perform all of the previous tasks as well as enhance color saturation, so it is a powerful tool in the hand of a skilled photographer.
Since the polarizing filter blocks out distracting rays while allowing desired light to pass through, it truly is an effective filter for your photography. It does this through a system of filters that are actually set at right angles to each other in order block out certain light rays. Yet, because of this design, it will be necessary to adjust the angle at which you shoot so that you can capture your subject in the best light possible.
How Do You Work with the Filter?
Even though some mistakenly believe that you can't use a rangefinder camera with a polarizing filter, you'll find that you still can as long as you can locate the correct angle. Manufacturers have come up with many options for solving this problem, but to keep costs low, you can simply do it yourself. By using a filter that has markings around the rim, you'll be able to note the angle that works and then use it to your advantage.
If it's at say 1 o'clock at maximum polarization, then put the filter on the camera and turn it so that the mark is again at 1 o'clock when it's on the lens. Heliopan polarizers are to be preferred for this reason because they have continuous numerical marks around the periphery of the filter which makes doing this quite simple.
Another option for setting up your reference angle is to simply use a pair of polarized sunglasses. As you turn the glasses to the angle that works best for your shot, simply keep that angle in mind as you go to take your picture. This is a great reason to consider polarized shades the next time you renew your prescription, if you wear glasses.
How Do You Overcome the Challenges?
Even though you can use polarized sunglasses in place of a marked filter, just be sure not to use both at the same time! To do so, would render your own vision impaired because the combination of the two filters will more than likely block out most (if not all) the light. The solution, of course, is to only use one!
The second issue with polarizers and very wide-angle lenses is the thickness of the filter. By their nature polarizers are thick filters because they have a double ring, the first of which mounts the filter to the lens and the second which is the rotating polarizing element itself. If the lens is wider than about 24mm, when used at small apertures the edge of the ring can cause vignetting at the corners of the frame.
The solution is to buy a "thin" polarizer. One option is to buy a single polarizer of the largest size that you need and then to buy step-down rings to fit it to your smaller lenses. However, this is not something you should attempt in the field if there are difficult weather conditions. In addition, be sure everything works before setting out and be sure that you are NOT using a wide angle lens, then vignetting will likely occur.
Thus, having solutions for the challenges you may face when dealing with a polarizing filter will hopefully give you the tools you need to go out there and make it happen! Prepare for the incredible shots that you are about to take! Now go and have fun in the field!
As you become familiar with a polarizing filter, you'll find that your still and nature scenes can become greatly enhanced. Because this filter allows the ability to seemingly darken the sky, while at the same time being able to remove reflections from both water and other shiny surface, you'll find it to be a great help to your photography efforts. It is the only filter of its kind that can perform all of the previous tasks as well as enhance color saturation, so it is a powerful tool in the hand of a skilled photographer.
Since the polarizing filter blocks out distracting rays while allowing desired light to pass through, it truly is an effective filter for your photography. It does this through a system of filters that are actually set at right angles to each other in order block out certain light rays. Yet, because of this design, it will be necessary to adjust the angle at which you shoot so that you can capture your subject in the best light possible.
How Do You Work with the Filter?
Even though some mistakenly believe that you can't use a rangefinder camera with a polarizing filter, you'll find that you still can as long as you can locate the correct angle. Manufacturers have come up with many options for solving this problem, but to keep costs low, you can simply do it yourself. By using a filter that has markings around the rim, you'll be able to note the angle that works and then use it to your advantage.
If it's at say 1 o'clock at maximum polarization, then put the filter on the camera and turn it so that the mark is again at 1 o'clock when it's on the lens. Heliopan polarizers are to be preferred for this reason because they have continuous numerical marks around the periphery of the filter which makes doing this quite simple.
Another option for setting up your reference angle is to simply use a pair of polarized sunglasses. As you turn the glasses to the angle that works best for your shot, simply keep that angle in mind as you go to take your picture. This is a great reason to consider polarized shades the next time you renew your prescription, if you wear glasses.
How Do You Overcome the Challenges?
Even though you can use polarized sunglasses in place of a marked filter, just be sure not to use both at the same time! To do so, would render your own vision impaired because the combination of the two filters will more than likely block out most (if not all) the light. The solution, of course, is to only use one!
The second issue with polarizers and very wide-angle lenses is the thickness of the filter. By their nature polarizers are thick filters because they have a double ring, the first of which mounts the filter to the lens and the second which is the rotating polarizing element itself. If the lens is wider than about 24mm, when used at small apertures the edge of the ring can cause vignetting at the corners of the frame.
The solution is to buy a "thin" polarizer. One option is to buy a single polarizer of the largest size that you need and then to buy step-down rings to fit it to your smaller lenses. However, this is not something you should attempt in the field if there are difficult weather conditions. In addition, be sure everything works before setting out and be sure that you are NOT using a wide angle lens, then vignetting will likely occur.
Thus, having solutions for the challenges you may face when dealing with a polarizing filter will hopefully give you the tools you need to go out there and make it happen! Prepare for the incredible shots that you are about to take! Now go and have fun in the field!
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As you experiment with different filters that are suitable for your camera, take a moment to scan some of our recent posts that might help you out in the process!
