Slim polarizers ??

[csa mt]

I bought the slim B+H 55mm polarizer after several had said it would work with my w/angle lens. Here's one and it definitely shows the "dark" spot in the sky. Is there anyway to eliminate that, & have an "even" sky? Do all do this?



BTW, I also heard many saying the the filter caps on the slim filters would not stay on. The B+H is a snug fit, and definitely stays on!

[HaseebM]

Did you try turning the filter around? Normally the angle should be pointed away from the sun, i.e., hold up your thumb and forefinger with the thumb pointed towards the sun. You can adjust the intensity by turning the filter. I have a 77mm filter which does this. Nice image btw.

[Mark von Kanel]

take the filter off, throw it away and sort the sky out in post?

[Kodiak]

Hey Carol,

A well known fact in physics: polarizing filters are better used on 60mm+ lenses.
NO POLARIZERS IS RECOMMENDABLE FOR WIDE ANGLE USE!!!

[Mark von Kanel]

•
Hey Carol,

A well known fact in physics: polarizing filters are better used on 60mm+ lenses.
NO POLARIZERS IS RECOMMENDABLE FOR WIDE ANGLE USE!!!

unless theres no sky in the shot, then they can be useful

[Kodiak]

unless theres no sky in the shot, then they can be useful

Not always! …even smooth bodies of water will be affected exactly because
they reflect sky light. The 90° rule still applies there too!

[csa mt]

Thanks everyone! I went back out & took another, this one is more appealing, with the darkest area over to the top left.



Both images are right out of the camera, no post processing on them.

[csa mt]

take the filter off, throw it away and sort the sky out in post?

I'm not about to throw away a $55 filter!

[csa mt]

The "slim" poarizer is recommended for wide angle use!!!

[Kodiak]

…this one is more appealing, with the darkest area over to the top left.

Yes, the picture IS more appealing but…
since it is at quite the same place than before, it's more the presence
of clouds that makes the whole difference!

[csa mt]

The reason I thought it was more appealing is that the darkest area of the sky is now moved out of the center of the sky, and looks more natural.

[Kodiak]

The "slim" poarizer is recommended for wide angle use!!!

Between what salespeople say and the laws of physics…
Just see the result you have and tell me!
The only reason why they recommend it is that it will produce less vignetting
because it is "slim" and this has nothing to do with the effect they have in
your photos.
I sincerely believe that salespersons that use this sales pitch are pure incompetent!

[Kodiak]

The reason I thought it was more appealing is that the darkest area of the sky is now moved out of the center of the sky, and looks more natural.

Still, the beautiful clouds are rescuing the nasty effect of the filter! IMO.

[Mike Buckley]

Carol,

To briefly summarize the use of a circular polarizer including some of the facts already mentioned:

• Polarizers can be effectively used with any focal length depending on the situation. Like any tool, it has to be used when it is effective and should be removed from the lens in all other situations.
• Beware of using the polarizer with a short focal length when the sky or a reflection of the sky is in the scene, as it can cause the unattractive situation displayed in your photo.
• Feel free to use the polarizer to your advantage in any situation when the effective focal length (including the effect of a sensor's crop factor) is about 50 to 60mm.
• The slim characteristic of your polarizer has no impact on the appearance of the image except that if you were otherwise using a non-slim filter and a short focal length, a vignette might appear.

[Shadowman]

Carol,

What lens (focal length) are you using the filter on?

[csa mt]

Carol,

What lens (focal length) are you using the filter on?

It is on my 20x60x FZ70, @20mm.

[csa mt]

Between what salespeople say and the laws of physics…
Just see the result you have and tell me!
The only reason why they recommend it is that it will produce less vignetting
because it is "slim" and this has nothing to do with the effect they have in
your photos.
I sincerely believe that salespersons that use this sales pitch are pure incompetent!

Thanks Kodiak! Actually, it was not salespersons that recommended the slim filter; rather reading information on forums. I did not want the vignetting in my images; although I know that can be cropped out.

[Shadowman]

It is on my 20x60x FZ70, @20mm.

So you can still use the filter at the longer focal length and not have reason for concern?

[Mark von Kanel]

Not always! …even smooth bodies of water will be affected exactly because
they reflect sky light. The 90° rule still applies there too!

Thats why i said CAN be useful, not are always useful

[Kodiak]

Granted!