Circular polarizer filters, can you help me?

[kshapero]

I have often wondered how to use a Circular polarizing filter on a rangefinder. I live near lots of water and, of course, glass. It would be nice to use one of these types of filters. or maybe a linear one, but how? I have actually seen viewfinders for these but what a pain. any ideas?

 

[jlw]

Functionally, there's no difference in how you use a circular polarizer vs. a linear polarizer. They work the same way and produce the same results.

To use either one on an RF camera, you look through the polarizer and turn it until you get the amount of reflection suppression you want. Note the position of the orienting dot, line or mark on the polarizer's rim -- for example, you might decide you get the best effect when the dot is at the "2 o'clock" position relative to vertical.

Then install the polarizer on the lens and set the dot to the same position, and proceed to take pictures.

Yes, this procedure is kind of a nuisance. Some people buy two polarizers of the same brand and use one as a "viewfinder" so they can leave the other on the lens. (If you've got two lenses that take different filter sizes, you can use one on a lens and the other as the viewfinder.)


About circular polarizers: The only time these are necessary is when you're using an SLR that has a semi-transparent reflex mirror (most AF SLRs do, most older manual-focus SLRs don't.) The semi-transparent mirror itself acts as a linear polarizer, so if you put another linear polarizer in front of it, they would interact. This would reduce metering and AF accuracy. The circular polarizer polarizes light on a different orientation, so it doesn't interfere with the SLR mirror. There's absolutely no benefit to using a circular polarizer on an RF camera, but if you also own an SLR and want to buy one polarizer for both, there's no reason not to get the circular type.

 

[LADP]

I have often wondered how to use a Circular polarizing filter on a rangefinder. I live near lots of water and, of course, glass. It would be nice to use one of these types of filters. or maybe a linear one, but how? I have actually seen viewfinders for these but what a pain. any ideas?

Here's something I posted on another forum to answer a similar question...

"Just a quick tip I might pass on. As we all know, unscrewing a polarizer to orient the filter to your desired degree of polarization and then screwing it back on is a PIA. The swing away types that allow you to set it and swing it back in front of the lens is relatively bulky and inelegant solution IMO.

I wear polarized sunglasses whenever I'm outside. I have oriented my polarizing filters for my cameras to my sunglasses: hold the polarizer up next to your polarized glasses, and find the appropriate orientation that matches your glasses. You can do this by viewing a reflection off a glass surface for example, or simply with the sky. If viewing the sky, looking at a patch of the sky 90 degrees off from the sun will maximize the effect of the polarizer. Once you've found the proper match to your polarized sunglasses, make a mark on the top of the rotating ring with nail polish or something semi permanent. Now whenever you are about to take a photograph, just tilt your head from side to side to find the orientation of the polartizer that gives you the desired effect, and simply rotate your polarizer on your lens to match. I find this method quick, easy, and pretty accurate."

 

[kshapero]

Here's something I posted on another forum to answer a similar question...

"Just a quick tip I might pass on. As we all know, unscrewing a polarizer to orient the filter to your desired degree of polarization and then screwing it back on is a PIA. The swing away types that allow you to set it and swing it back in front of the lens is relatively bulky and inelegant solution IMO.

I wear polarized sunglasses whenever I'm outside. I have oriented my polarizing filters for my cameras to my sunglasses: hold the polarizer up next to your polarized glasses, and find the appropriate orientation that matches your glasses. You can do this by viewing a reflection off a glass surface for example, or simply with the sky. If viewing the sky, looking at a patch of the sky 90 degrees off from the sun will maximize the effect of the polarizer. Once you've found the proper match to your polarized sunglasses, make a mark on the top of the rotating ring with nail polish or something semi permanent. Now whenever you are about to take a photograph, just tilt your head from side to side to find the orientation of the polartizer that gives you the desired effect, and simply rotate your polarizer on your lens to match. I find this method quick, easy, and pretty accurate."

nice and you get to wear sunglasses😎

 

[bsdunek]

Many linear polorizing filters have a little triangle or other mark on the rim. When this points toward the sun position it gives maximum effect. 90deg from the sun gives minimum effect. This can work fairly well, although it's sometimes difficult to decide just where the sun is when it's in front or behind you.
Practice helps. 😎

 

[dll927]

My understanding is that a circular polarizer should not be necessary on an RF. A linear one will work fine. Circular ones are for SLRs that have autofocus/auto exposure.

True enough using a polarizer on any RF is a PIA, but if you want the effect, you have to pay the price in inconvenience. Hopefully, the results will be worth it.