Dumb pol filter question from a newbie to xpro2.

[qruyk12]

So, dumb question. Years ago, I recall only circular polarizer were recommended on digital platforms. Same deal? Or have advancements in technology changed things?

Just went digital this year..

 

[konicaman]

No such thing as a dumb question. Circular polarizers are still recommended for digital; metering as well as phase detection AF might have trouble with a linear polarizer.

Congrats on the new camera - have fun!

 

[narsuitus]

Linear polarizers may also interfere with metering and phase detection auto focus in some film cameras.

If you already have a linear polarizing filter that you want to use, use it and manually focus your lens and use a hand meter to determine your exposure.

 

[Dwig]

So, dumb question. Years ago, I recall only circular polarizer were recommended on digital platforms. Same deal? Or have advancements in technology changed things?

Just went digital this year..

This is not really a film<>digital issue.

Circular polarizers are needed with any camera that uses beamsplitters or semi-silvered mirrors whether film or digital. This means that any autofocus SLR and many, but not all, TTL metering SLRs.

The so called "mirrorless" digital cameras that use contrast based AF are imune to the issues involved so conventional linear polarizers are OK. If the camera uses phase detection AF you are likely better off with a circular polarizer.

 

[sevo]

So, dumb question. Years ago, I recall only circular polarizer were recommended on digital platforms. Same deal? Or have advancements in technology changed things?

Circular polarizers are required in every camera that utilizes split mirrors for through-the-lens metering or AF, as split mirrors are polarizing elements, and two polarizers at right angles will block all light. This affects every TTL AF SLR ever made, whether film or digital, those non-AF SLRs that do behind-the-mirror metering (some Prakticas and Olympus models, Nikon F3), and every pellicle mirror SLR (i.e. the Canon Pellix and many dedicated high-speed cameras) - in the latter it will even affect the image and not only the electronics.

Mirrorless cameras (for obvious reasons) are not affected. Neither are rangefinders (where the lens is concerned - their finders usually contain a beam splitting mirror) and SLRs that have no beam-splitting component (i.e. most non-AF SLRs ever made).