Polarizing Filters for D70

[SMuse09]

I'm traveling to Sedona, AZ next week and was wondering if it would be wise to use a polarizing filter for scenic shots of the canyons. I just purchased a Nikon D70 and haven't had much time to 'play' with my new toy in preparation for my trip. So, any help/advise I can get on how (or techniques) to capture a great blue sky; awesome sunsets; and lavish red rocks is extremely appreciated!

Thanks!

ADP (amateur digital photographer)

[MikeyB]

yes, definately invest in a circular polarizer filter - probably the most useful tool a landscape photographer can get! Their ability to bring out blue skies and increase colour saturation is well worth it. You might want to look into a garduated nuetal density filter also - that way you'll be able to have plenty of detail in the foreground whilst getting a nice dark exposure for the sky at the same time

[SMuse09]

so, you're saying to use both filters simultaneously? Sorry for the silly questions...I'm still learning.

[MikeyB]

yeah you can do, but you can use the polarizer by itself and still get great results. Basically, buy a circular polarizer and you won't regret it!

[SMuse09]

Will do! I'm going out to buy the circular polarizer tonight! Thanks for all your help!

~S

[ChronosIII]

Dear ADP in Boston

I concur with my knowledgeable colleague Mr. MikeyB on the importance of the polarizer, please use one in almost all of your outdoor photographic endeavors. I wish to add a couple of points.

1. Polarizers are great for sky detail and enhancing colors by removing the blue haze that comes with light scatter however this same polarizer will remove reflections from water and other items so be aware if you want that reflection.

2. Polarizers are like sunglasses for your camera and in lower light situations you might find it better to remove it to get the exposure settings you want.

3. The reason it is called a circular polarizer isn't because it is round, it is because of the complicated process that two layers are sandwiched together but ultimately what you need to know is this; a circular polarizer will work with TTL metering on all cameras and lenses Linear doesn't always. So although a little more expensive it is well worth it.

4. Here is a piece of advice, filters for your lenses can get quite costly especially if using high quality filters (I highly recommend Tiffen or Hoya) to avoid buying filters for every size lens I have I buy filters for the largest lens I have or want to get (95mm for me) and then step down rings (very inexpensive) for each lens, this will also often help you avoid the vignetting that can occur when using a wide angle lens and multiple stacked filters.

5. When using the filter you need to turn or dial it to the right position, look through your lens while doing so to see the effects and keep in mind it doesn’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚t always have to be the maximum effect. Also be careful that you don’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚t unfocus your lens while turning the filter.

Good Luck and have fun, So says;

The Big Kahuna

[Buddy4344]

One other point on the circular polarizer given to me by Kevin on this board - take care to rotate in the direction you threaded it onto the camera otherwise sooner or later, you will accidentially unthread the filter and it will fall onto the ground (or in my case - into a stream).
Buddy

[Rocketball]

Originally posted by buddy4344
One other point on the circular polarizer given to me by Kevin on this board - take care to rotate in the direction you threaded it onto the camera otherwise sooner or later, you will accidentially unthread the filter and it will fall onto the ground (or in my case - into a stream).
Buddy

I did the same thing many years ago at Disney World. We were in line for a ride in EPCOT, and I was taking some photos while standing on some kind of bridge, and the filter came off in my hand. I didn't know what was happening, and before I knew it, it was gone. Worst part about it was I could still see it. I just couldn't reach it, and I thought climbing over the railing to get was too risky. The only good thing was that at that time, EPCOT had a really nice camera shop in the park and I bought a new filter.

[swier]

OK... So I am a little late to this posting but being an ADP in learning I am going to ask. Probably a dumb ? but here it goes. Do you stack the Polarizer on to the UV filter? Do these two types of filters even play nicely together??

thanks for your patience and KNOWLEDGE.

ADP #2

[Buddy4344]

sure, you can stack them. being lazy, I often do. the "pro's" don't recommend this - I assume because you are looking through more glass = more potential distortion and also maybe loosing a few more wavelenghs, so f/stop and shutter speed are slightly compromised. That said, I haven't had a problem with stacking.

[swier]

Now when it comes to photos my wife would not say I am lazy... Can't say asmuch for cleaning the dishes...

The thing I was worried about was switching back and forth. As I was told that the best protection (besides caution) for the lens was the UV filter. So I anticipate that it will be a permenant fixture that keeps my finger prints and dust away. After hearing your stream story above that made me think about having to switch between the two. And for me and my nibble claws that could be more exciting than adjusting the filter for the image in the wrong direction.

[ChronosIII]

Stacking isn't usually a problem, on some wide angle lenses you can get some vignetting as you add filters and as stated earlier if you have low quality filters (read cheap) you will sometimes get distortion.

A trick with adding and removing filter... for us nibble fingered tografers..

Leave the lens cap on while unscrewing then holding the sides of the more easily handled lens cap transfer the filter to its case and release from cap, this way you don't smudge it in the transfer, then reverse the process for the new filter,

I almost never remove my UV 1a's except on my extreme wide angle lens.

Hope it helps.

The Big Kahuna