Linear Polarizers and Contrast Detect AF?

[Disaster_Area]

OK, so forgive me if I get some of this wrong, I'm not completely knowledgeable about how all the different AF techs work.

So, correct me if I'm wrong but, circular polarizers came about because the linear polarizers messed with the phase detection type auto-focus that became popular with SLR's and DSLR's.

Now we have a whole new breed of tech in the mirrorless world, most (if not all) the m4/3 from Panasonic/Olympus and Sony are using contrast detection for their autofocus. Will linear polarizers mess with the AF or exposure sensors in these cameras? It would be great if they didn't as there's a TON of linear pol's floating around that most people have no use for anymore.

 

[sevo]

Linear polarizers don't interfere with either AF mechanism per se. However they mess with beam splitters - and SLR AF sensors are placed behind the mirror, which acts as a beamsplitter. On a mirrorless camera, linear polarizers are perfectly fine.

 

[Disaster_Area]

Do you know if Linear Pol's mess with the metering in mirrorless cameras? I did my due diligence googling around before I posted here and roughly one in five articles I read mentioned metering in a vague way, but never said exactly HOW linear polarizers affected metering tech.

 

[sevo]

Do you know if Linear Pol's mess with the metering in mirrorless cameras?

They can't, for the same reason - the troublesome polarizing element on behind-the-mirror metering cameras (like the Nikon F3, Pentax LX or Canon F1) was the mirror.

 

[Disaster_Area]

Great, thanks!