Polarising filter

[riggy]

Hello

Just wondered if someone could answer a couple of questions re polarising filters

I am looking at getting one to improve these type of pics

(not been sharpened just minor adjustements in Picasa made and resized for WAB)



I currently have a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens on my Sony a200 with a UV filter on. If I get the polarising filter should I take the UV filter off when using the polarising filter and is it worth paying the £30ish for one

Cheers

Paul

[slimrbp]

Hi Paul,

I used a polariser for this shot and it really does help to cut down on the glare/reflection from the water surface.



The only down side is you can lose a lot of light so it can be tricky to maintain a reasonable shutter speed. I am not familiar with your lens but does the front element rotate when it focuses?
If it does it can make it difficult to get set the polariser up as you turn it to get the desired effect so you would need to focus, then set the polariser to get the effect you want.

After all that though they are a useful addition to the camera bag as they are also great for enhancing blue skies, saturating colours on bright days and the like.

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by riggy

I currently have a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens on my Sony a200 with a UV filter on. If I get the polarising filter should I take the UV filter off when using the polarising filter

Try a few shots with both on (at different focal lengths) to see what, if any, vignetting you get.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by riggy

Hello

Just wondered if someone could answer a couple of questions re polarising filters

I am looking at getting one to improve these type of pics



I currently have a Tamron 70 - 300mm lens on my Sony a200 with a UV filter on. If I get the polarising filter should I take the UV filter off when using the polarising filter and is it worth paying the £30ish for one

Cheers

Paul

I'd take the UV filter off, adding too many extra layers of glass could impair the image. I must admit I keep a polariser on my normal zoom (24mm - 105mm) as a standard. Make sure it's a circular polariser and spending some extra money on a good quality multi-coated filter does make a difference. I use the Sigma EX DG Circular Polarising Filter range.

[riggy]

Thanks for the advice everybody, I am getting the filter today hope to go and have a play before work. At the moment I think I will take of the UV filter as it mainly there to protect the lens. Since I am not spending a fortune on the polerising filter(£24 for the Hoya 62mm Filter Circular Polariser) I am prepared to leave this filter on the zoom all the time. I will try and take a couple of shots of the minnows again to see the difference, While I type this the sun is shining!

Thanks again

Paul

[pete-c]

Riggy

I think you should do as Tormentil suggested and try taking some test shots both with and without. I did this when I first purchased a polarising filter and learned a lot from it.

Regards

Pete