Circular Polarizer?

[Patrick Martin]

I just acquired a Sigma 10-20 and a B&W MRC circular polarizer to go with it. I'm familiar with the use of a CPL, and like the results on my Sigma 17-70, however on an UWA such as the 10-20, I'm not so sure if I'm really a fan of the results I'm seeing while doing some test shots in my backyard. I'm not getting any of the banding that I've seen in test results, just not so sure I'm noticing a huge difference in the pics.

Anywho, wondering if anyone else is using a CPL for storm photography?


edit: Yes, I know I spelled circular wrong in the title. Did not realize until after I submitted the thread and can't correct the title

 

[James Langford]

Personally, I use a polarizer for pretty much all of my landscape photography including storm chasing. On an ultra wide like your Sigma, you will see banding when at full wide. This is due to the amount of sky you are covering, and the way the light is polarized. I don't mind this too much, as I prefer the effect of the polarization, even if there is a bit of banding.

Edit: Oh, on the effect of polariztion. It really depends upon the angle of the sun, the time of day, and the amount of clouds. The rule I try to use is to keep the sun behind me for the maximum amount of polarization.

 

[Allan Jeffers]

Yeah, stronger polarization is at right angles to the sun. I used a polarizer with a couple shots here:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showpost.php?p=264869&postcount=4

I read somewhere that point your index finger at the sun and stick your thumb up, then rotate your wrist, your thumb will point at the band that will provide the greatest polarization

 

[Laura Duchesne]

I also swear by using circular polarizers while shooting in the daytime. Circular polarizers are the best polarizer filter to get because you can simply adjust the amount of polarization you want in your photo. I especially use it when it is hazy out because it cuts though the haze much better, makes the sky bluer and the clouds stand out more. Keep in mind, however, that in low light situations (from my personal experience) this will also cut down on the amount of light that can reach your lens, making your photo either turn out darker, or by using a slower shutter speed and having a blurry picture as a result if you are using automatic settings.

One lesson I learned, though, is to never use a polarizer at night while shooting lightning. I wasted 3 rolls of film quite a few years back while shooting lightning over Lake Huron. Ouch!

 

[Lanny Dean]

CP filter for ND filter too??

Something else to keep in mind is that a standard CP filter can also be used as a ND filter. In fact, even the cheapest CP filters will give you almost 2 stops of ND.
I have used my CP filter in line with graduated ND filter (4 stops) and with the additional 2 stops the CP filter gives I get around 8 stops total.

This can and is amazing for taming blown highlights such as the sun with darker foregrounds as it will help you expose correctly for the sky and ground at the same time. In addition and as well all know, the CP filter will help pop those vivid colors all the while helping to tame reflections.

My CP filter is on my camera at all times....I wouldnt shoot without it even during the "magic hour" as you can see below. The picture of downtown Tulsa below I shot during the magic hour however, I still was having trouble exposing the sky with the ground. When I tried to use my ND filter I found that it was dark (about 6 stops) so instead of trying to mess with my exposure as my light was fading fast, I simply put my CP filter in place of my ND filter which gave me about 2 stops.....just what I needed.

Just my 2.

 

[Patrick Martin]

Thanks for the great responses! It's a different animal on an UWA compared to my wide zoom, but I'm seeing the benefits the more I shoot with it.

Lanny - Excellent control of the light in your example. Great pic!