Using a circular polarisor with my D80

[herc182]

I bought a circular polarisor for my D80 but it never seems to make a huge difference as it did with my panasonic FZ20. the camera overexposes anyway so i always have it at -0.3 EV but still doesnt make a huge difference. Someone i know also has the same problem with the Canon 400D (or rebel Xti!). Is this common with D-SLRS?

I am aware that most effect comes at 90 degrees to the sun. But those skies arent "Blueing" up :-)

[Gsquared]

I am having the same problem Herc... I bought an expensive HOYA CIR-PL filter, and it either does nothing or makes the picture hopelessly dark. I sorta understand I need to twist the filter for optimal results, but it just isnt working for me. Ive seen other people get nice vibrant skies and reduced reflections off water and glass... just not me. :(

What are we doing wrong?

[coldrain]

You indeed have to turn the filter, you see it (sky) getting lighter or darker while you turn it. If the effect is not so big, it just means that there is not all that much polarized light to be filtered out. It very much depends on the atmosphere and weather.

[Rooz]

i find the results get better, (in oz anyway), after say 2pm. any earlier and the sun is just too harsh and bright and you don't get that deep blue in the sky. i have the pro hoya on my 70-300 and the regular on my 10-20mm/ 18-200 and i can;t pick the difference at all. imo, getting the pro version was a waste of money.

a cloudy sky is also ideal. the "sharpness" and definition of the clouds in particualr with a polariser is great.

[Rooz]

incidentally, both these shots were taken with a polariser.

[Prospero]

Nice shots, Rooz. Shooting the moon with a polarizer is a great idea. Since it is reflected light, using a polarizer the detail on the surface gets a lot better. I'll give that a try when I can see the moon (may take a while with the dutch weather :rolleyes: )

I agree with Coldrain and Rooz. I also get better results in the afternoon (or early in the morning, though I haven't tried that too often). With clouds the contrast and the effect gets a lot bigger.

[Rooz]

Nice shots, Rooz. Shooting the moon with a polarizer is a great idea. Since it is reflected light, using a polarizer the detail on the surface gets a lot better. I'll give that a try when I can see the moon (may take a while with the dutch weather :rolleyes: ).

yes i don't recall seeing the sun much last time i was there to watch ajax v newcastle utd. but then again...everything was a bit cloudy after a few beers and a couple of those "biscuits". lol :p

[herc182]

Alcohol and hash cakes. Well we are moving on....

I guess I havent had too many sunny days since i got my camera so will wait and see when there is a prolonged sunshine period.

otherwise i will be using HDR all the time :-)

[jnpalma]

Guys,
Have you read this before ?

http://dpfwiw.com/polarizer.htm#circular ;)