Polarizer - do I need one, can I use one?

[Andrew Cotterill]

I'm thinking of getting a polarizer, the idea being it improves sky contrast and reduces haze (is this right?)

The item I'm thinking of getting from the well-known auction site says "Generally requires through-the-lens viewing". I'll be using this on a ranngefinder. Is it possible to use a polarizer without being able to see the effect? I've not looked through polarised glass since 3rd year physics, so can't remember much about it.

All advice gratefully received

 

[Hamish Gill]

Generally ... Pretty much definitely requiers ...

you could hold it up to you eye and rotate it until it has the desired effect then whilst keeping the orientation the same hold it in front of the lens.

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Just had a look on google ... Seems you can get polarisers with numeric markings for use on RFs ...

 

[Andrew Cotterill]

Thanks Hamish. I didn't think it was going to work, somehow, although I like the idea of tuning it visually.

The filter is part of a set of 4, with UV ND and Diffusion, but I might be better off just getting UV and Nd separately, and put the saved money towards my next camera...

 

[Hamish Gill]

Sounds wise! Nd filters are a lot of fun... I'm looking forward to summer since I found a really dark one in a box of old Nikon filters. Going to try get some sunny photos of my daughter running around in the sunshine with very my fast Nikon wide open. It's not something I've tried before...

 

[Pete Askew]

There are indeed a couple of polarisers around for RFs. There's basically two sorts; one where you have a viewing filter with a scale and another over the lens with a matching scale; the other sort swings up in front of the RF window, where you view through it and adjust, then you swing it back in front of the lens and it retains its orientation. Both sorts are expensive and the swinging version is more suited to things like a Mamiya 7. A handy cheap polarising effect can be achieved using a pair of polarising sunglasses as long as your lens is small. I've taken shots through my sunglasses using my Ricoh to good effect. Not quite the same as a circular polariser but if you want to eliminate a shadow or get a nice saturated sky etc, it will do the job.

Hasselblad XPan, XPan 11 fit "Kenko matched Polariser and Finder", RARE in UK | eBay - ignore the Hasselblad stuff, they work with any smaller RF.

 

[Andrew Cotterill]

T...A handy cheap polarising effect can be achieved using a pair of polarising sunglasses as long as your lens is small. I've taken shots through my sunglasses using my Ricoh to good effect. Not quite the same as a circular polariser but if you want to eliminate a shadow or get a nice saturated sky etc, it will do the job.

Hasselblad XPan, XPan 11 fit "Kenko matched Polariser and Finder", RARE in UK | eBay - ignore the Hasselblad stuff, they work with any smaller RF.

Thanks Pete - The sunglasses idea is great, I'll be trying that this summer (if we get any sun). I think my lenses are easily small enough to be covered by shades,

The Kenko matched finder/filter is very clever, but a bit on the expensive side as you said.

 

[Andrew Cotterill]

Sounds wise! Nd filters are a lot of fun... I'm looking forward to summer since I found a really dark one in a box of old Nikon filters. Going to try get some sunny photos of my daughter running around in the sunshine with very my fast Nikon wide open. It's not something I've tried before...

I've managed to find a 4-stop ND filter ('Light reducer') to fit my Vito B(s), which gives me a lot more options come summer, I won't be stuck with f16-f22 now (taking my Fed2 out in summer sun is just asking for a singed curtain)