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Thread: Drop in circular polarizer for Canon 600 f4 IS L - advice please

  1. #1
    Ofer Levy
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    Default Drop in circular polarizer for Canon 600 f4 IS L - advice please

    Hi all,
    I am going to Kangaroo Island (Australia) where I am hoping to photograph Sea-Lions and Seals.
    I only got 4 days so will have to spend as much time as possible in the field rather than wait for the perfect light.
    My questions are: Is using a drop in polarizer filter a good idea to deal with harsh light?
    Any other tips and suggestions in this matter are greatly appreciated.
    Thanks,

    Ofer Levy
    Australia
    http://www.oferlevyphotography.com

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    Ofer,

    In my opinion, a polarizer will not help with harsh light. Harsh light is due to high angle directional light and a polarizer won't change that. It could, however, reduce reflections and darken the sky. Often near the ocean, the large aerosol particles reduce the effects of the polarizer, as large particles do not polarize light like very small particles and molecules do. I think it is still worth taking.

    Roger

  3. #3
    Ofer Levy
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    Thanks Roger! If it won't help with harsh light and I realise I lose 2 stops - maybe it isn't such a good idea to buy one after all...?
    How is the effect in overcast days?

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    Ofer,
    On overcast days, the effect of a polarizer is minimal. Clouds are not polarized as the light is scattered in multiple directions. Reflections from water are coming from many directions from the sky, and while still polarized at soe angle the effect is reduced. I have a drop-in polarizer for my 500 but do not use it much, but when I do, it can be very nice. With wildlife, one is often imaging with the sun behind one's back, and the maximum polarization on the sky is 90 degrees from the sun, so a different geometry.

    Roger

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    Ofer, If the seals are sleeping (stationary) you may want to shoot a burst of three different exposures and combine them with HRD software. That should open up the shadows a little and tame the harsh light.

    Eric Virkler
    Faces of Nature Photography
    www.ericjvirkler.com

  6. #6
    Ofer Levy
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    Thanks for your advice guys! Based on yor input I guess I will skip the polarizer filter and just try to get the photography done in the right time of day.

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ofer Levy View Post
    Thanks for your advice guys! Based on yor input I guess I will skip the polarizer filter and just try to get the photography done in the right time of day.
    In and around water at any time of day, I would always use my drop in CP filter on my 500VR. Definitely worth getting Ofer.


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