how to use a CPL Filter?

[evilorgi]

i understand that a CPL Filter has a head that is able to rotate. may i ask what effect does the rotation create?

i also know that a CPL filter does do away with unwanted reflections when shooting @ reflective surfaces and it does gives some shots greater saturation. how do i acheive that?

and the most important question of all, HOW TO USE?

 

[gymak90]

Google is your best friend. Buy a CPL filter and learn.

 

[evilorgi]

Google is your best friend. Buy a CPL filter and learn.

ok, google helps. regarding buying and it learn, i will consider that if i am rich enough. i dont own any money printer fyi.

 

[Redsun]

ok, google helps. regarding buying and it learn, i will consider that if i am rich enough. i dont own any money printer fyi.

actually...its not that expensive anyway

 

[KY1977]

Actually dun really have to read from anywhere. Put on one, go to an open space and turn to see it's effect on the sky. You will see that the tone of the blue will change. The effect is stronger if the sun is 90° on your side. Same procedure for reflective surface, though the 90° has no effect on reflective surface.

 

[andylausk]

My CPL filter rotate 1/4 round it change from one extreme to the other, and the expose time will also take longer. see the differences of each pic.
#1

#2

 

[Octarine]

Hope that helps:
http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/polarizing-filter.html

 

[night86mare]

this advice will probably help you the most

" give a man fish, he will survive for 3 days. teach a man how to fish, and he survives for life."
(until the fish run out, anyways)

learning how to discover photography for yourself, when it can be done - makes the experience a lot more profound and interesting and personalised than just whacking the question out on the internet and waiting for a shovelling of information down your throats.

 

[evilorgi]

Hope that helps:
http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/polarizing-filter.html

ya, this is helpful to me. thanks for your help.!!

 

[evilorgi]

My CPL filter rotate 1/4 round it change from one extreme to the other, and the expose time will also take longer. see the differences of each pic.
#1

#2

ok, i roughly get it. perhaps i should rent it 1st before buying it. but i read that it's a strongly recommended filter for landscape shooters. thanks for helping!

 

[evilorgi]

Actually dun really have to read from anywhere. Put on one, go to an open space and turn to see it's effect on the sky. You will see that the tone of the blue will change. The effect is stronger if the sun is 90° on your side. Same procedure for reflective surface, though the 90° has no effect on reflective surface.

ok, i shall figure it out after i rented 1. now i roughly get teh theory so now must try practical le. thanks thanks!!

 

[ngck12]

rent? are you sure? i rather you get one cheap one at the classified section to try out.

 

[Gengh]

Not sure if people actually rent out CPL filters... but if you're really insistent on not buying one yet, you could see if anyone around you has a pair of polaroid sunglasses. You can see the same effects as using a CPL filter by looking through the sunglasses and rotating them around (don't put them on).

Quickest test to see if the sunglasses (or anything else) has polarising effects: look at any LCD display (a digital watch will do) through the sunglasses. If the LCD display darkens when you rotate the display or the sunglasses, you have a polariser.

 

[parampita]

ok, i roughly get it. perhaps i should rent it 1st before buying it. but i read that it's a strongly recommended filter for landscape shooters. thanks for helping!

The difference is quite prominent. Look at the water.

Just go ahead and buy one if you shoot landscape (no use for macro/model shoots). It's not expensive.

 

[lennyl]

Not sure if people actually rent out CPL filters... but if you're really insistent on not buying one yet, you could see if anyone around you has a pair of polaroid sunglasses. You can see the same effects as using a CPL filter by looking through the sunglasses and rotating them around (don't put them on).

Quickest test to see if the sunglasses (or anything else) has polarising effects: look at any LCD display (a digital watch will do) through the sunglasses. If the LCD display darkens when you rotate the display or the sunglasses, you have a polariser.

Which brings up a good point - don't wear your polarized sunglasses when shooting with a CP. Actually should be avoided even when you're not using CP, but my eyes are bad enough without further abuse from bright sunlight.

I sometimes try to quickly determine of CP when wearing my sunglasses by twisting my head to see the difference. I get a lot of strange stares.

Another thing you may or may not find on Google : if shooting rainbows, try it without CP (it makes them fainter).

While on the subject of CPs, can I hijack the thread for a little while? Can someone tell me if there's any disadvantage to using a slim CP over a regular one, other than higher price, lack of front threads and inability to use regular lens cap? I'm specifically looking at the B+W MRC CPs, and want to know if there's any disadvantage to using a slim CP on a standard zoom or long telephoto. I googled but could not find much info (some guy asked the same question but did not get much of an answer). TIA.

 

[arktos88]

So a CPL is essentially a polarizing filter?

Ooh, I learn something new everyday!

 

[calebk]

So a CPL is essentially a polarizing filter?

Ooh, I learn something new everyday!

CPL stands for Circular Polariser

 

[evilorgi]

rent? are you sure? i rather you get one cheap one at the classified section to try out.

there is 1 CSer here that provides rental services mah. then he also rent out CPL filter so i think when i rent lens from him then i tk together lor.

 

[evilorgi]

Which brings up a good point - don't wear your polarized sunglasses when shooting with a CP. Actually should be avoided even when you're not using CP, but my eyes are bad enough without further abuse from bright sunlight.

I sometimes try to quickly determine of CP when wearing my sunglasses by twisting my head to see the difference. I get a lot of strange stares.

Another thing you may or may not find on Google : if shooting rainbows, try it without CP (it makes them fainter).

While on the subject of CPs, can I hijack the thread for a little while? Can someone tell me if there's any disadvantage to using a slim CP over a regular one, other than higher price, lack of front threads and inability to use regular lens cap? I'm specifically looking at the B+W MRC CPs, and want to know if there's any disadvantage to using a slim CP on a standard zoom or long telephoto. I googled but could not find much info (some guy asked the same question but did not get much of an answer). TIA.

ya cool, this is something i wish to know too. from what i know i think a standard thickness CPL filter wil not cause vignetting if focal length is >24mm right?

a B+W slim is ex sia, almost 200. lolx.

 

[lennyl]

ya cool, this is something i wish to know too. from what i know i think a standard thickness CPL filter wil not cause vignetting if focal length is >24mm right?

a B+W slim is ex sia, almost 200. lolx.

Yeah, using a slim is not necessary for longer focal lengths, but wonder if there's any downside.

Check out the price for Heliopan - makes B+W look cheap