How & When to use a CIRCULAR POLARIZER - Are they worth it?

[@jremi]

This video is 4 years old, but I just came across it, as a relatively recent subscriber of this channel. It is packed with very useful information indeed. Thank you very much!

[@evzevz06]

If you want a super fast way to tell if its worth taking the filter out of the bag at all. Take along some sunglasses that have polarised lenses in them, the effect it has on your eyes is identical to if you put a polarised filter on your camera, making windscreens and the glare and reflections on water/surfaces disappear

[@YaakovSloman]

Hey, Ian. Nice video. A quick point at about 1:05 you talk about turning the front filter for "more polarization" which isn't quite right. The CPL has a linear polarizer as the the outer filter (the movable one) and a quarter-wave plate fixed closest to the lens. When you rotate the outer polarizer, you are changing the polarizing angle, and selecting the polarization of the light that will pass through the filter while the quarter-wave plate then circularly polarizes the light. This is why the filter only works properly when looking through the fixed filter at the rotating one. Also, you mentioned buying the best you can afford, which is spot on. But you didn't mention what you are paying for. A couple of things are reduced color shift and smooth operation. The first is obvious, who wants a weird color cast to deal with in post? But the second is important, especially when you are dealing with the filter in less than idea weather, with cold hands or gloves. A good CPL will move smoothly as you rotate it, and not unscrew itself from the lens because of the friction of rotation. It's also easier to use, since sometimes the effect you are after is subtle and knowing how much you're actually moving the polarizer is very helpful when evaluating the effect. A sticky or rough filter makes this much harder. Thanks again for the excellent video.

[@ian_worth]

Awesome comments buddy, you have given some great knowledge there. Thanks for watching 😃👍👍

[@andreaslack8379]

Thank you for the elaboration. I understand what polarizes do, what is linear polarization and what is circular polarization and so many statements in the video just didn't make sense. Especially the point you point out about "more polarization" and conversely" less polarization. Cause a purely circular polarized filter one would experience no change rotating it. I was wondering what circular polarization filter did and was puzzled by those more/less polarization statements and when the effects wee described they were consistent with that I used linear polarized filter for. Your explanation that thee are two parts and the outer is linear polarized now it makes sense. The only thing off in my mind that is fuzzy is why not use a liner polarized filter then? I am guessing it is the statement about DSLRs not liking linear polarized. Would that be because of some polarization selectivity the sensor? I used a linear polarized filter with my film cameras as well as my old DSLR without issue that I noticed, but perhaps it is different with newer sensor or negative effects were just not enough to jump out at me.

[@Mattriggo]

Thorough, concise, and clear information with no meandering off on tangents. Thank you so much for this helpful explanation.

[@tobyjugg6202]

Good one Ian, enjoyed that careful explanation - seriously helpful - big thumbs up

[@markdavies9415]

This is the best explanation i’ve seen for circular polarizers. Another great video 👏 Learning a lot from your videos.

[@ian_worth]

Thanks Mark, that means a lot buddy 👍😃😃

[@mileswiththemels1718]

Great tips! I've watched dozens of these types of videos, and you're the first person who has mentioned the rings.

[@jeanpierreguaron9222]

A couple of comments, Ian. With digi, I haven't found it necessary quite so often to use a UV or polarising filter. For different reasons obviously, since they are different filters. When polarizers really shine is in dealing with reflections. Back in the analogue, that wasn't always the reason advanced for using them. The other point is a safety one. These filters are adjusted by rotating the ring furthermost from the camera body - the filter itself is screwed into the front of the lens. Revolving in one direction CAN (doesn't always) overtighten the filter - making it necessary or, at least, preferable to loosen it with a filter spanner, before removing it from the lens. And rotating it in the other direction can - sometimes - loosen the filter, so you have to be careful or it might drop on the ground. Taking reasonable care overcomes both problems - but you do need to be aware of them, or you won't end up taking the necessary degree of care.

[@ian_worth]

Thanks buddy, some good advice there. Great comment 😃👍👍👍

[@RFranks]

It really helps when the leaves are wet that's when you can get maximum color saturation.

[@ian_worth]

Yes i like woodland in the rain too. Thanks for watching buddy 😀😀👍

[@ahavens2463]

Wow thats very in depth. Thank you!

[@ian_worth]

You're so welcome!

[@alanbrunelle1546]

Some good food for thought - really appreciate you sharing your expertise.

[@ian_worth]

Thanks Alan, appreciate that buddy 👍😃😃

[@naludog8087]

Thanks Ian...Help! How do I best deal with sun glare on the water when shooting video of surfing? ND or CPL? I'm using a Canon R5C with RF100-500 lens. Great video content. Thanks for posting.

[@videolaricin8634]

Thank you for this great video! Can i use the polorize filter with the black mist pro filter at the same day?

[@ian_worth]

I've never used a pro mist with a polarizer, but cant see why not, 👍

[@vincenthinch6033]

@@ian_worth any idea what order would make most sense to place the polarizer with a pro mist as well? Polarizer on the outside or inside?

[@GoogleSheetsFanboy]

I have seen a lot of your videos on using the tg 6. I was wondering if you had a list of all the accessories that you use. I was trying to find the ND filters from the video but I could not find them. Do you have an affiliate link I can use?

[@jvusa]

Thanks Ian, Very informative video.....Keep doing great work....

[@ian_worth]

Thanks, will do! 🙏🙏😀👍

[@rvdvfender]

Thank you, your information was very helpful!

[@ian_worth]

You're welcome 👍

[@dayoneentertainment]

Thanks really needed this bro a lot of great content

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Well explained mate nice work

[@ian_worth]

Thanks Paul 😃👍👍

[@pauldarville3843]

Thanks Ian, very informative!!

[@pianoman1973]

Great explanations - thanks !

[@ian_worth]

Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@JohanGartner]

Thanks! I learned a lot! Sometimes I think its hard to see the effect in the camera display, specially in the woodland. And sometimes I forget that I have a polarizer on.. that's quite annoying! But that's me being stupid🤣 but when it goes as it should the result are awesome, and you can't get that polarizing effect in post production, so it's a great tool! Thanks ian🤜🤛

[@ian_worth]

Thanks buddy, yeah i know what you mean, sometimes it is difficult to see it on the rear lcd, especially when there's reflections on the screen, I think it's easier to see it in the viewfinder. Thanks for watching buddy 😃👍👍

[@JohanGartner]

@@ian_worth but that was a good ide to take several shots with different amount of polarizing👍 looking forward to your next video!

[@MOAB-UT]

In my prosumer level Nikon D5500, I can toggle on a histogram on the camera. I haven't found a way to do it live, but if I do a quick test shot, I can see all the info., delete and adjust for the next shot. I also like using exposure bracketing of course in RAW. This is the safest route as it takes 3 quick pics (

[@BrianMason1000]

Ian nice video. Very informative.

[@ian_worth]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍👍

[@renoholland7090]

Great video. Thank you.

[@VaperDave]

So much help.... thank you

[@kevinacla8291]

Thanks alot. Wonderful guidance for newbie photographer like me 😉

[@abacab1701]

Hi Ian. Do you get vignetting issues with the Xume system? Thanks

[@ian_worth]

Thanks James, I haven't noticed any, but i haven't tested it on my wide angle lens to be honest, I usually use it for video purposes with my variable nd, so don't tend to go super wide. Thanks for watching 👍😃

[@callie111295]

Been using CPL's for years but some great advise and tips on this video. Thank you, I've added it to my favourites to refer to again in the future. Now to order one of those long sleeved shirts, they look great ;)

[@ian_worth]

Thanks Jan, really appreciate that, thanks for watching and checking out the merch 😃😃😃👍

[@callie111295]

@@ian_worth Ordered the long sleeved shirt. Looks great :)

[@techprojm]

If I'm using a polarized filter on a 16mm for apsc camera which is like 24 mms, and I shoot waterfalls, would I have the same problem of color uneven as with the sky?

[@ian_worth]

Hi, I think in principle yes, but as the landscape is made up of lots of different shades, colours and textures, it is a lot less noticeable in my opinion 👍😃

[@nehaanil2189]

I tested yesterday a Freewell CPL filter I got recently, and it's behaving exactly as you said in the sky. It darkens only a part of it...but it behaves fine with metal or glass surfaces....So, no reason to send it back then? (based on what you said). By the way veery informative video, one of the best on yt. Thanks so much...

[@ian_worth]

Many thanks 👍😁

[@ckons89]

I have a question, since they perform circular polarizing why it useful to perform rotation of the filter? In linear polarization by theory makes sense

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

Thank you and well done

[@ian_worth]

Cheers brian 👍😃😃

[@graham_T]

Thank you Ian . As others have said , a very informative and helpful video . I use XT3 and have the Nisi 100mm system that includes the CPL however I have rarely used the CPL ...reason being that I find it impossible to see the effect of it in either the rear screen or EVF ....which is very frustrating . I will now try using doing a series of shots turning it a quarter turn in between I have been trying to find out why it is that I cannot see the effect of it. I already knew about direction of sun so have discounted that as the reason . I am wondering if the camera metering or something is compensating in someway or another for the polariser and wonder if you have any thoughts as to what it might be and if there is something in settings I could change that would make it easier to see the effect in either rear screen or EVF . Thank you

[@ian_worth]

Hi, try testing your filter out on a window from the outside, turn the polarizer until you can't see any reflection in the window. This should give you an indication to whether your polarizer is working correctly. Let me know how you get on and thanks for watching 👍😃😃

[@Moses_Kanneh]

Great Video

[@avs4365]

Full and concise Ian. Your point 're clouds so true.:)

[@ian_worth]

Thanks Alan 😃😃👍

[@VyNguyen-zi9mo]

Hi Ian Worth. Can I use a CIRCULAR POLARIZER for shooting or making video about Jewelry. Like shiny gold surface (Wedding bands)

[@Jwitherow1964]

Thanks

[@paganphil100]

Excellent and very helpful video. Which brand/s would you recommend for a CPL filter....I want a 77mm one and I'm willing to pay up to about £150 ?

[@ian_worth]

Thanks buddy, There's lots of good ones in that price bracket, some brands to look out for would be tiffen, hoya, b+w , formatt hitech. I have the hoya pro cpl, it works well for my needs. best of luck 👍😃

[@paganphil100]

@@ian_worth : Thanks for the reply Ian......the Hoya Pro cpl is the one I've been considering. Its £120 (77mm) at my local camera shop but currently out of stock.

[@stavrosk.2868]

The best explanation of CP so far. Well done and thank you.

[@lowbudgetproduction]

Put a body cap on that Fujica ! I can't watch that :)

[@arnealden7576]

Thank you for a very informative video but please, in your next video, skip the irritating backround music. It’s so difficult to consentrate on what you are saying. 🙂