Polarizing filters are probably my favorite, they're like a real life cheat code. As far as I know, they're the only filter you can't replicate at all afterwords in Photoshop / Lightroom. (Though of course for specific cases, NDs and graduated NDs can come in handy for extreme HDR scenes or when you you want a long exposure in a bright scene and you can't just lower the ISO further).
For anyone new to filters: Buy larger diameter filters and use stepdown rings to attach it to your lens, that way you don't have to worry about vignetting and you only have to buy one set of filters and they'll work on all your lenses. Example: I got filters in 67mm which is the diameter my biggest lens use so the filters fit without having to use step rings. For my wide angle lens which has a filter diameter of 49mm i got a step ring from 49mm - 67mm
@@fibonacho i never use my lenshood with this method because it's not possible. I've bought 67mm filters and stepped down to a 49mm for my wideangle, thats probably a drawback for some but I've never had issues with flares so i don't see it as a problem.
So happy you made this video. I started using CP filters 50 years ago, but in the digital era, over time, I stopped using them for a variety of reasons - reliance on editing, laziness. Your video reminded me just how effective they are in so many situations. I've put them back in my bag. You actually motivated me to go out and shoot. Thank you.
I accidentally found out about these filters about 3 years ago, and since then, they are on my wide-angle zoom lenses almost all the time. The difference between the sky saturation and the grass/leaves is amazing! My go-to filter brand is Hoya. Highly recommended for any photographer's kit. If you already have a pair of polarized sunglasses, you can see for yourself, just look at the sky 90 degrees from the sun and try to tilt your head left and right. You will notice the difference immediately. Then you can decide if you want to spend your money on a filter. :)
I haven't used one since my film days. You're right - this is one effect that can't be duplicated digitally, and with high ISO performance being so good nowadays, the loss of light is less of a problem for hand-held work.
What a brilliant video. I had realised there were so many benefits. It was the benefit to leaf photography that was the particular surprise to me. Thanks for making.
Chris, many thanks for the hard slog of reviewing all these filters. Seems like you did a very similar review, not all that long ago...doubtless seems like only a few weeks' ago to you. Very helpful video for those thinking of getting their toes wet with these very useful, and in some cases, very expensive aids. Nisi filters always tempt me, if for no other reason than I have never heard a negative, or even qualified comment as to their excellent results- of course, that's totally dependent on the users' abilities.
Cheaper ones usually cast a different color, which you can ofc correct, but it adds more work in post. I used to use CLP filters when I first got them, but later on I didn't bother anymore. I often like that the sky isn't that deep blue, it doesn't look natural. I often just settle with bringing down the highlights a bit and get a better effect.
Thank you for this wonderful video. Your videos zen me out... I often recall your Lens reviews when shooting on glass you've discussed .... and ill often recall you saying something like "stop it down to 5.6 and the corners become razor sharp" or something and I stop down and get a great shot. - Anyway brilliant thank you.
Thanks for this video! Question: Would a polarizing filter keep the sky from getting blown out in outdoor portraits? Or would it make the subject look odd at the same time?
Thanks for this useful information! It seems silly, but I'm having a hard time buying filters until I feel I have the lenses I want. I guess I could just get a big filter and some step up rings.
There's one thing to note though, according to Fresnel's Equations for Reflection and Transmission, the polarization effect from air particles is uneven depending on angle from the light source. As a result, the light transmission with a polarizing filter under a clear sky forms a circle opposite to the sun , something like the area circled in a rainbow. It's nearly unnoticeable with medium or longer focal lengths since the angle of view is small enough to capture a homogenous field, but with ultra-wide angles, it would be common the see a dark circle on the sky, like a hole.
I use a polarizing filter in a perhaps more uncommon way. A have a small setup with a ring light that have a big polarizing sheet in front of it and with a hole for the camera to peek through. The polarizing filter on the camera is rotated to eliminate all specular reflection of the light and create an image that is very flat and evenly lit. I use it for photogrammetry to create 3D models of objects and these flat images are perfect for that. I place small objects on needles and the metal will be invisible against a black background with no visible light reflecting back. So my object will just float in the air against a black background without any need for masking before feeding them into my software.
I was looking at those Marumi filters and see they have a magnetic version of them. Will you ever review those? Im super interested in them! i hate having to thread/unthread filters... and if the quality is good enough im buying them!
Hey, that's a nifty little gadget! I'll just pop on over to the usual camera websites and browse prices...YIKES! Okay, a good one ain't cheap! But ain't that always the way in the world of photography? I think I'll get one and see what it does for me.
4:10 "Now go buy one and improve your photography". Can't get a more recommended than that xD. But yes, they're great. I bought 2 from amazon for around $10-20 and they work extremely well.
What I wonder is - what do I need to worry about when I just leave it on my lens? Can I keep it on my lens at all times like my UV filter or do I need to fiddle with it everytime I want to use it?
Good concise video! I use polarising filters for Motorsport however as you say it can create some funky rainbow colours in the windscreens. I'm guessing it's down to the different composite of Plastic and Glass.
Related to the weird effect you get when you shoot with polarizing filters throw some windows, some windshields or headlights on cars also show weird rainbow patterns when using polarizing filters.
Hi Christopher thanks again for a very informative video, I use the filters from time to time, but think now will use them more often. Question for you, being a lenses expert, I've recently been experimenting with 35mm slr cameras, of which the digital full frame sensors sizes are taken from, one thing I have noticed is the lenses are a lot lot smaller ,why then are full frame equivalent digital lenses a lot bigger?
I used to have a Marumi one but got rid of it because it had an awful purple'ish colour cast, I now use Tiffen and it's great although Hoya Pro-1 are the best i've used.
Like your videos, but when you're filming and shooting night shots, you can't correct the white balance so it's right, not so extremely yellow. It looks nicer and easier to judge the lenses :)
First thing I bought to my camera (aside from a lens). Unfortunately I bought the polariser for my first lens and I have since upgraded and the new lens is larger... -.- So, the obvious solution is to buy another lens, that match my polariser. :D
No one discusses the need for a split pola - for instance where water reflections need to fully polarized down but a sky would render towards black. And be careful with sky's, they may look good on a EVF but you're really getting such a deep blue that it becomes a worthless frame. Believe me, it took a long time to apply some discipline on this. Always back off a bit.
Never buy the cheapest filters! There is a huge difference to the better ones. (You don’t need a expensive but avoid the cheap, most cause awful color casts). And better buy one step bigger than your widest lens to avoid vignetting, especially on wide angle lenses. There will be scenarios where you want to use two filters combined …
