Can anyone tell me if these Circular polarizing filters are worth the cost?
Hoya make one for digital cameras but it costs $140-$170 depending where you go. I have an old linear pol filter (68mm) which I hand held in front of the 350d for a quick comparison. It did improve distant mountain clarity a little, however I lost significant colour depth in the foreground.
These Hoya filters are bit too pricy for a try it after you buy it exercise.
Any experience out there? Am I looking at the wrong filter type anyway?
I want to cut reflection from windows, and improve distant hill detail.
This photo was destined to not be any good anyways, but it illustrates bad reflection.
cheers,
Doug
I used the Hoya CPL extensively when I used to do a lot of mountaineering in my younger days in the UK and Europe. The main usage was to darken the sky to an almost midnight blue, which then contrasted very well with fluffy white clouds and glaciers, snow fields, etc. The CPL was superior in this regard compared to the linear type; it gave much more control and a greater range of polarisation.
Unfortunately I never tried it on reflections. In terms of distant detail, back in the days of 35mm SLR's, the standard practice was to fit a UV filter to "cut distant haze" and protect the front element of the lens.
I’ll see if I can dig up my old collection of filters and take an image of reflections in glass to see if the CPL can “remove” them. I’ll post the results later.
We have purchased a range of Hoya 48mm (2") colour filters from an ebay supplier called maisonbiz.
You can order direct with Patrick via email maisonbiz@cox.net
If he has a Cir-Pol in the size you need cost would be much cheaper.
Have found Patrick very good to deal with.
Delivery normally about 10 Days.
Here are “before” and “after” photos of the pool, outdoors, with the Sun to my left. The photos of the pool showed the greatest difference in the use of the Circular Polarising (CPL) filter.
You may have to read up on the physics of these, but I understand that sunlight is highly polarised and the effect is maximum at 90 degrees to the Sun. I had a visual look indoors where there is much more scattered light, and the annoying reflections from e.g. the TV screen were only slightly reduced. So, if the light is highly scattered then the effect of the CPL will be less it seems.
Thanks everone for your help.
Dennis, those pictures...enough said
David, I have had a looky c on Ebay.au and can see what I want for around $73 best price by far. Will push ahead with the purchase.
Thanks again everyone
cheers,
Doug
