Polarizing filter?

[bearski]

I already have a Hoya UV (multi coated) filter and I am looking at getting a polarizing filter. I am looking to spend $70 or less. Should I go with a Hoya multi coated polarizing lense or are there better brands for that price? Also if I put the polarizing on top of the UV will it wreak my pictures because I would have too many layers of filters (I think it’s called "vintaging")? Thanks!

[SmartWombat]

Definitely use one filter at a time.
Depending on your filter size, you may just be able to afford it.
A good 72mm polarising filter cost £100, so I expect you'll be able to get a good smaller one.
Not much better than Hoya, but make sure whatever you get is the multi coated.
Anything less and you're going to see reflections in the images.

[bearski]

Definitely use one filter at a time.
Depending on your filter size, you may just be able to afford it.
A good 72mm polarising filter cost £100, so I expect you'll be able to get a good smaller one.
Not much better than Hoya, but make sure whatever you get is the multi coated.
Anything less and you're going to see reflections in the images.

This maybe a dumb question but, if you have a polarizing filter on do you even need to use a UV filter?

[bearski]

This maybe a dumb question but, if you have a polarizing filter on do you even need to use a UV filter?

I decided to go with the Hoya DMC PRO1 Digital Circular Polarizer Glass Filter was that a good choice? Does anyone have this filter? Is it good quality?

[SmartWombat]

You don't even need to use a UV filter on a digital camera.

That's a good one. The HMC (not DMC) is a cheaper one.
For me it was a toss up between that DMC and the Canon filter, the Canon was surprisingly cheaper in the UK !

[A.M.D.A.]

Also if I put the polarizing on top of the UV will it wreak my pictures because I would have too many layers of filters (I think it’s called "vintaging")? Thanks!

Stacking two filters should be OK. But if you combine several, then dark corners may appear in the pictures. This is called “vignetting”.

I sometimes screw a Kenko polarizer on to a Tiffen UV-Haze-1, and there are no obvious problems. However, when I use the polarizer on its own, the image quality is noticeably better.:thumbsup:

[byjamesderuvoDHQ]

A polarizing filter can be a good idea as is a neutral density filter, but remember that anything you can do with a filter, you can do in Photoshop to much greater effect. And you have the extra insurance of having an "undo" button.

[A.M.D.A.]

A polarizing filter can be a good idea as is a neutral density filter, but remember that anything you can do with a filter, you can do in Photoshop to much greater effect. And you have the extra insurance of having an "undo" button.

Yes, mimicking filters can be done in an image-editing program. However, I think this offers a few disadvantages:

#1. The polarizer is the one filter whose effect is still better when done in-camera.

#2. Editing photos takes up more time than attaching filters.

#3. When a photo is retouched in PhotoShop, or any other image-editing software, you can no longer say that it is the original. As soon as someone hears the word "edited", "modified" "altered", "retouched", among others, that person will immediately lose some trust in the photograph, because they have no idea what was done to it post-shooting. However, if the photo came straight from the camera, then the viewer will know that what is shown happened in real-life, so there will definitely be more trust toward that particular shot.

Even if the photographer explains only this edit or that edit were applied, other people won't know for sure, they are strictly relying on your word. A peek at the metadata of an original photo will prove that it is indeed, original. But by looking at the metadata of an altered photo, you can only tell it has been altered and in what program. All sorts of edits can be accomplished, and then only some of them admitted afterward.
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~I would recommend doing as much possible in-camera, and reserve minor edits for the computer. Sure, there are some gimmicky filters available, these are probably more effective when applied in an image-editing program. However, the polarizer, ND and UV are the essentials.

[jbornga]

SmartWombat,
You state that the Canon filter is cheaper and just as good as the DMC. I have the option of a ProMaster, Nikon, Sony, or Canon circular polarizing filter (work is buying). Would you suggest that any one of these is remarkably better then the other?

Thanks for any input,
Jeff