Do i need a polarizer on a macro lens?

[HowlinWolf]

Originally Posted by Kerry

Thanks HW for this info. I had just got hold of a book on filters called The Photographers Guide to Filters by Lee Frost and he hadn't mentioned about the angle, but I had read it somewhere else. With regards to the f stops of light, if the polarizer is in place when I do the meter reading on my Canon 400D won't the camera adjust for that?

Kerry

Yes, Kerry, you are correct in your assumption that the camera meter will take into account the light loss. A final tip when using a polarizer, is to over expose by a third of a stop (use exposure compensation if shooting in auto modes), as this filter does have a tendency to fool the meter in some situations.
You can't go wrong with Lee Frost. He knows his stuff.

HW

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by eeyore

a good move - though it doesnt need to be anything pricey ( you can spend a lot on these - mine was over 100 notes but that is for extreme conditions) for use on a beach a ziploc plastic bag with a hole cut for the lens , or as nightshade suggests a sleve cut off an old cagoule ought to be up to the job.

it is also a good idea to not change lenses on the beach unless absolutely necessary to cut down on the chance of salt spray getting inside the camera - and also to thoroughly clean your lens elements and camera exterior on your return home. Another good tip is to put a skylight or UV filter on the front of all your lenses - these are seentially clear but will protect the front element from spray and equally importantly from wind blown sand

I had been looking at these UV filters and wondering if I should get one; thanks for the warning. Many thanks for all your helpful suggestions.

Kerry

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by HowlinWolf

Yes, Kerry, you are correct in your assumption that the camera meter will take into account the light loss. A final tip when using a polarizer, is to over expose by a third of a stop (use exposure compensation if shooting in auto modes), as this filter does have a tendency to fool the meter in some situations.
You can't go wrong with Lee Frost. He knows his stuff.

HW

Thanks HW. I just need to remember all these helpful tips! It's a bit like learning to drive and am I sure it will all click into place soon.

Kerry

[HowlinWolf]

Kerry,
Whilst I agree with eeyore re: UV or skylight filters to protect front elements in harsh environments, I would advise against using such filters combined with a polarizer. Doing this adds un-necessary glass/air surfaces to the lens design, increasing the potential for image flare or degradation. Although I use UV's on all my lenses (the debate rumbles on) I do shoot a lot of seascapes, so this is justified: but remove the filter when using a polarizer as this is now protecting the front of the lens.
And as regards to remembering 'all these helpful tips', it will become second nature, as you say, just like driving a car.

HW

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by HowlinWolf

Kerry,
Whilst I agree with eeyore re: UV or skylight filters to protect front elements in harsh environments, I would advise against using such filters combined with a polarizer. Doing this adds un-necessary glass/air surfaces to the lens design, increasing the potential for image flare or degradation. Although I use UV's on all my lenses (the debate rumbles on) I do shoot a lot of seascapes, so this is justified: but remove the filter when using a polarizer as this is now protecting the front of the lens.
And as regards to remembering 'all these helpful tips', it will become second nature, as you say, just like driving a car.

HW

Hi HW

Actually I hadn't realised that I could use the UV filter as well as a polarizer, I had assumed it would be one or the other; that is one mistake that I wouldn't have made and not from good judgement either!

Kerry

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kerry

Hi HW

Actually I hadn't realised that I could use the UV filter as well as a polarizer, I had assumed it would be one or the other; that is one mistake that I wouldn't have made and not from good judgement either!

Kerry

The UV would be a screw on filter and thus has its own filter thread on the front to which you could screw another filter or and adaptor for square filters such as lee or cokin. HW however is correct that it is best to avoid having uneccesary filters on, so i would agree that you should remove the UV before fitting the polarizer - that said if there is a lot of spray or blowing sand about makesure that you make the change in a sheltered environment such as inside a coat or at the very least with your back turned to the wind.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by eeyore

The UV would be a screw on filter and thus has its own filter thread on the front to which you could screw another filter or and adaptor for square filters such as lee or cokin. HW however is correct that it is best to avoid having uneccesary filters on, so i would agree that you should remove the UV before fitting the polarizer - that said if there is a lot of spray or blowing sand about makesure that you make the change in a sheltered environment such as inside a coat or at the very least with your back turned to the wind.

Thanks Pete for these tips. Finding this forum and all you helpful people has been great. I usually learn the hard way, so it is nice to have you all helping me to learn the easy way.

Kerry

[eeyore]

no problem - i learnt the hard way about salt spray , killing a 10D and putting a little bigma in "hospital" in the process ( that was in extreme circumstances - photographing diving gannets from a rhib off grassholm)

I am happy to do anything i can to make life easier for new folks

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by eeyore

a good move - though it doesnt need to be anything pricey ( you can spend a lot on these - mine was over 100 notes but that is for extreme conditions) for use on a beach a ziploc plastic bag with a hole cut for the lens , or as nightshade suggests a sleve cut off an old cagoule ought to be up to the job.

I was looking for something to cover the camera and lens in inclement weather. The Aquatech Sportsshield is a bit pricey. However, Warehouseexpress have a Storm Jacket for thirty odd quid.

On their site navigate to Lenses>Waterproof Cases>Storm Jacket.

The colours are a bit garrish, though there is a black one.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Tormentil

I was looking for something to cover the camera and lens in inclement weather. The Aquatech Sportsshield is a bit pricey. However, Warehouseexpress have a Storm Jacket for thirty odd quid.

On their site navigate to Lenses>Waterproof Cases>Storm Jacket.

The colours are a bit garrish, though there is a black one.

Thanks for that info.

Kerry