Creative photography

[dimitrz]

Hi Gail,

Wanted some advise with regards to the purchase of a Polarizing Filter for my Camera (Sony DSC H2 ).


1) What specification should be kept in mind while buying the Polarizing filter  (both technical &  other ( Believe size & type is based on camera’s ‘mm’ measurement) --  I want to use the filter on/with the Adapter ring provided with my camera kit (That’s the logical thing- I presume)

   The specification of the adapter ring are enclosed in the jpeg accessible on this link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23531375@N00/2446436564/

2) Landscape photography is my passion so is there any specification for Polarizing filter that I need to look out for ?

3) Can Polarizing filter be used for water fall shots? Given a situation where I can either buy a polarzing or ND/ND Grad filter which one should I go for?

4) If possible I would like to go for a ND or ND Grad filter ( which would you recommend – for landscape photography ) and at what specification.


5) Would it be possible to use the filters that I am purchasing for my Sony to be used with a Nikon D80 ? (Am planning to go DSLR    in the near future with the purchase of Nikon D80 DSLR or some other good Nikon model ( as of now most people I come across recommend the D80)

Excuse if some/any question seems childish but I don’t want to leave anything for assumption.


Cheeers

Dimitrz

[ShutterbugGail]

Here is some information about filters and polarizers to get you started. Will get back to you on some of your other questions.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/filters/

Moderator bdrey has written a good deal about polarizing filters. Take a look:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/filters/polarizers.php

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/filters/polarizers2.php

Some techie stuff:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/shoot-pro/axis.php

5) Would it be possible to use the filters that I am purchasing for my Sony to be used with a Nikon D80 ?

Only if the filter sizes are the same. It's something to think about before you invest too heavily in filters. I'm not sure about the Nikon D80, but on my Canon XSi it's almost impossible to use polarizing filters since the front of the lens rotates when focusing.

So do your homework before you plunk down your hard earned money.

[dimitrz]

Thanks Gail....just going through the links provided

[Deb]

(Just popped in and saw this ...)

Great advice and suggestions Gail!

As for my 2 cents worth   , on DSLRs it's the lens that determines the filter size, etc. Even with lenses whose front element rotates, you can use a polarizer but the method is slightly different. All you need to do is remember to rotate your polarizer AFTER you've focused.  

[ShutterbugGail]

Even with lenses whose front element rotates, you can use a polarizer but the method is slightly different. All you need to do is remember to rotate your polarizer AFTER you've focused.  

While not impossible, I've been told it is quite difficult on the kit lens that came with my camera. The front element rotates quite loosely. Many Canon users complain about using a polarizer on it.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/12/kit-lens.php

The kit lens, while quite good for the money, is inexpensive compared to the kind you probably use, Deb. It doesn't have many features or markings, but I can switch between auto and manual focus. I think one is more taut than the other so it just might work. I'll give it a try when I have time.

I was pleased to recently discover that I have a good quality 58mm polarizer left over from my SLR days (a UV filter, too). Polarizers today can be quite expensive!

[Deb]

Hi, yep, it can be tricky. This method might be of help. Try using the type, or barrel ring grooves as an indicator of roughly where the focus is set. Hold the lens so it doesn't shift, and make your polarizer adjustment. Since the polarizer doesn't have to be right-on to be effective so, you could focus, get your polarizer lined up best you can, then double-check your focus and shoot. Not the zippiest process but effective.

If all else fails, and you are in the market for a new lens, there are entry-level and economically priced lenses whose front elements do not rotate. You don't have to spend a lot. If you plan on using a polarizer quite frequently, you might want to consider one of the other lenses.

[dimitrz]

I might be way over my league here , Howevr I presume the cannon lens used by you Gail is for a DSLR - and from my experience almost everyone using DSLR's,   kind of automatically use filters.

Hence it would seem pretty stupid (no offense intented to anyone) for a lens company to create a lens which cannot use a filter - espcially when there are competitors around.

[dimitrz]

Ps : Gail thanks for those awesome links they turned out to be very helpful and informative.


PPs : this guy Bdery really knows what he is talking about

[ShutterbugGail]

Actually, I have a skylight filter for my Panasonic FZ18, which is not a DSLR. Like a UV filter, the skylight filter is used primarily to protect the lens. I've thought about getting a polarizing filter for it, but I need one that is "slim" and they are not that easy to get at the 46mm size.

I just happen to have some filters left over from about a decade ago when I used a regular SLR that can be used on my new DSLR.

I think a filter for a lens is a small price to pay for the protection it affords. I take a lot of photos by the salt water and it's better to be safe than sorry.

On all my other compact digital cameras, I never bought a filter. It depends how much and where you use a camera.