Do you use an Autopole on your TLR?

[johnny9fingers]

I am considering finding an Autopole for my Rolleiflex 3.5 B Automat MX-EVS.
Are they a useful tool, and how often would someone use it?
Thanks,
John

 

[ZeissFan]

What is the Autopole? You have piqued my curiosity.

 

[Matus]

It is a polarizing filter for TLR cameras with Bayonet I (Rolleicords, Rolleiflex T, Yashica 124, Minolta Autocord) that allows you to see the effects of the polarization through the viewing lens.

Look here for example: Autopole on Flickr

 

[johnny9fingers]

So........ No one uses one?

 

[Sanders McNew]

Or you can just buy a Bay I polarizing
filter. Figure out the proper orientation
by holding it up to the viewing lens and
turning it until you get the desired effect,
and then mount the lens onto the taking
lens. The Rolleipol filter rotates in its
mount to facilitate this.

A lot of older Rolleipols have delaminated.
you can buy one for $10 on eBay and then
replace the glass with a Tiffen or Hoya
filter.

 

[ZeissFan]

I have one of these for a Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex TLR. It's called an Ikopol (appropriately enough).

The Ikopol slips over both lenses. The filters are connected to each other by serrated rings, and you rotate the upper filter as you peer into the viewfinder. What you see in TLR viewfinder should reflect the polarization effect that is recorded on the film.

I haven't yet tried mine, but I have some Kodak Ektar so I will give it a go this week. As soon as it stop raining!

 

[bcostin]

I have a Minolta Autopole. It works well, and I should use it more often than I do.

 

[nikon_sam]

If I had one I would but I don't so I use the method that Sanders described above...

 

[johnny9fingers]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I may just go the same route as Sanders as well and save a few bucks.
Thanks again,
John

 

[hanskerensky]

I don't know about the Franke & Heidecke Autopole but for my Ikoflex i have a clamp-on Ikopol which does the same trick. Works great for taking away reflections (more saturated colors) or darkening parts of the blue sky on sunny days.