Does everyone use a polarizer?

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Philx1979

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Phil
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Hi,

I`ve been doing alot of Landscape/Seascape photography over the past couple of years and have been pleased with my results, but never ever used a polarizing filter, i have however got Lee grads which i use, but am i really missing out alot without using a polarizer?

will it make a massive difference to my photos? would like to hear your opinions before splashing out on the filter, also whats a good ball park to spend on them?

My site just in case anyone wants to take a look Section: Phil. www.porthlevenphotography.co.uk
 
I only use it when needed, but I almost always carry a circular polariser in the bag (and usually a linear as well). A circular polariser can make a dramatic difference to your skies and is very useful for controlling reflections on water.
 
If I shot landscapes I would own one, I used to and did have one, but now I cant I don't bother with one.

I think it will make a difference to your skies, and also the water in your shots
 
I use mine alot of the time, but then I do live somewhere where the sun shines most of the time :-)
 
Arkady said:
No...

Owned, but seldom, if ever used...
Click to expand...

Likewise.

Useful for cutting out reflections on buildings and cars, but equally can cause some unwelcome patterning in glass.

[oh, and using a polariser with a hood on your lens is a pain]
 
I use my Polariser all the time, permanently attached.

I love the effect of a Polariser, making the white clouds stand out against the blue sky (sometimes ;)), and taking reflection (sometimes ;)).

Sometimes the difference between using the effect and not is stunning, :eek: like the picture were taken at different times.

As for using it with a lens hood, it is quite easy with a petal type hood on a standard lens, but I can see it could be a pain with the other type of hood or with a large zoom lens.
 
It is one of the few effects you cannot really do with photoshop, as pointed out they can be really useful with reflections, water, skies and generally boosting saturation. They can also slow things down if needed, as they can reduce light by 1.5 to 2 stops. Also they can have interesting effects on flowers, foliage and insects – this is quite a good summary on the pros and cons - http://www.rosshoddinott.co.uk/docs/polarizing filters.pdf - I always carry mine for use on my DSLR and G11.
 
Hi,

You'd probably notice a difference if you used a polariser,
They intensify blue skies, mainly about 90' to the sun, and for that reason can have a patchy effect on wide-angle lenses due to the amount of sky covered.
They reduce reflections in water so you can often cut down on burnt out highlights.
They also cut down reflections on shiny foliage and beetles etc if doing macro.
They cut down reflections on glass and plastics (but not metals - I don't know the physics as to why not), useful if you have sun reflections, but too much can make it look like windows are missing.

As you rotate them you are able to use more or less of the effect to give full/less/no reflection.

Downside is you will lose about 2 stops of exposure.

People will argue merits or otherwise of circular vs linear and how much to pay.

edit; beaten by jfb on most points due to slow typing:D
 
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No. I don't shoot landscapes (only people and buildings really) and once the initial "ooh look at that!" effect wore off I didn't particularly care.

Polarized sunglasses are fab though.
 
I have one I use with a Cokin holder, rarely. It takes so long to set it up and fiddle with it only to find that it's made very little difference.
 
I've just bought one and will be using it 'in anger' next weekend.

Main reason I bought it is for a growing interest in landscape photography (no good at it, just enjoy it) but I want to use it more in rally photography to remove glare/reflections of car windscreens.

DB
 
I always carry one in the bag but very rarely use it. It has to be there though as there are shots that just cant be taken without one and along with a ND for slowing the exposure, it's about the only one that can't be replicated in post process.
 
Actually.... the last few times I've used mine it's been with a ND to get the shutter speed down.
 
I've got a couple of polarisers but rarely bother to pull them out of the bag.
 
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