polarizers and RF

[satbunny]

How do you use a polarizer (circular or linear) with a RF?

 

[VinceC]

The easiest way is to use two identical polarizer filters. Put one on the camera and look through the other with your eye to figure out best allignment. If the front of you lens turns with focusing, remember to focus first before setting the polarizer filter.

Most polarizer filters have some kind of index or dots on the ring to tell how they're oriented. If yours don't, you might have to carefully etch a couple of lines to use as an index.

 

[jaapv]

Vince's way is certainly an option; Heliopan sells polfilters with a numbered scale on the side to make this system possible. The really easiest way is to invest a considerable amount of money in the Leica Polfilter, which swings out 180 degrees in front of the viewfinder to enable you to jdge the effect. That one is not really usable if you have a rotating front element. My homegrown solution is to use a step-up ring and for instance a 67 mm filter (or more, depends on the geometry of the situation} and make circular slits along the side of the step-up ring. That will enable you to see the effect in the viewfinder, irrespective of the turning of the lens.

 

[denishr]

Hm, I thought I'd point out another problem - vignetting....

I used an old Series VI polarizing filter mountedd on my Ultron 35/1.7 via a 39mm-Series VI adapter. For a lens shade I used another Series VI filter adapter ring - which was obviously too much, as visible in the attached shot...

OTOH, I had no problems with rotation of polarizer. Before putting it on, I just checked in which position it gave the best effect, and when mounted on the lens, I turned it to that position - which was easy, since that one has a short handle on the rim...

Denis

 

[berci]

Hey Denis,

I don't mind the vignetting, it gives the picture an oldish, early viewcamera look.

Berci

 

[denishr]

Thanks, Berci....
Unfortunately, I used this setup on all my landscape shots with 35/1.7. I was quite disappointed when I saw what happened 🙁

You can say that, together with my previous Rolleiflex shots, this summer I had a nice crop of "vignettes" 🙂

Denis

 

[jaapv]

Thanks, Berci....
Unfortunately, I used this setup on all my landscape shots with 35/1.7. I was quite disappointed when I saw what happened 🙁

You can say that, together with my previous Rolleiflex shots, this summer I had a nice crop of "vignettes" 🙂

Denis

There is still some detail in the corners; you should be able to salvage them in postprocessing after the scan. PictureWindow Pro has a good vignetting-tool, but even Photoshop Elements should serve.

 

[zpuskas]

My understanding is you only need a circular polarizer if you have a auto-focus camera--such as the Contax G2 (rangefinder). No need to spend more than needed!

 

[VinceC]

Circular polarizers are also more accurate with through-the-lens metering. Noncircular (linear?) polarizers can mess up the in-camera meter.

 

[canonetc]

Buy a circular and hold it up to the sky. Turn the outer ring until the sky turns the dark blue that you want. Take a red, white or blue pen, and make a mark on the 12-O-clock (top)section of the ring. Screw the filter onto your lens. Turn the mark to 12-O-clock and take the picture.

This is what I did with my Contax G2 45mm lens, and it worked great.

chris
canonetc