A question about polarizers. . .

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi all. . .

I almost never wear sunglasses (I know. . . big mistake), but lately I have started to do so and I've notice how much richer and contrasted (maybe too much) things seem to appear with my polarized sunglasses on. This leads me to wonder if shooting with a polarizer all the time (when outdoors, at least), might make sense.

What say ye gents?

Thanks.

Stephen

 

[Björn Benckert]

Yes for sure. By one put it on and spin it and see how it affects the image. Usually for the better but ofcourse depending on what you do. Nice also to be able to take down reflections and orher stuff.

 

[Les Hillis]

Polarizing filters for sunglasses and cameras can be very different in design and effect, basically because one is made for our eyes and one is made for what the camera sees.

Polarizing camera filters usually try to stay neutral and just reduce reflected light from particular angles, while polarizing sunglass filters can do that and more to enhance and clarify what you see.

It's definitely worth having a polarizer available, but they do have limits that prevent them from being left on the camera and used all the time, eg. they have an inherent filter factor/light loss, will probably introduce a slight tint from the filter glass, and the polarizing effect changes in intensity depending on your angle to the light source (beyond the range of adjustment you get by rotating the filter).

 

[Vance Colvig]

If you shoot outdoors on a blue sky in daylight, big difference from shooting north/south and east/west. They do not intercut well if at all if sky is in the shots from different angles.

 

[Les Hillis]

Faces and skin-tones can look strange too if the filter reduces their natural shine and increases their colour saturation. Still worth checking out and having one on hand though imo.

 

[Nick Gardner]

I shoot with a Pola on exteriors 99.9% of the time. As does almost everyone I've ever worked with.

Nick

 

[Phil Holland]

I absolutely don't use them all the time for outdoors, but they are a fundamental tool nonetheless. Depends on your goals really.

 

[Nick Gardner]

Perhaps I should amend that. If I am shooting exteriors, I automatically call for a pola and an n1.2. Then it's in until there is a reason for it not to be, then it's back in again ;-)

Nick

 

[M Harvey]

Off hand, does anyone know which rotating circular polarizers are compatible with Tilta matte boxes, specifically the MB-T12? (I know it's a popular model on the forum.) On B&H, a number of the most popular options specifically say they don't fit Tilta (like the Revar Rota-Pola), or have a review pointing out an issue (like the Nisi)...