Polarizing and UV Filter

[rickp1]

Hey guys,
I have a Singh Ray polarizing filter that I pretty much just keep on my lens except when indoors.
Am I really getting much out of it if the sun is not at 90 deg from the lens? The reason I ask is I want to start using other filters like a color intensifier and I want to know If I should stack them or just remove the polarizing filter.

Also, I always have a UV filter on my lenses but I read that that's a no no since i degrades the image, true or false?

THanks
R.

[dcclark]

What's a "color intensifier" filter? Sounds unusual...

Polarizers can be useful in many situations, not just for intensifying colors. The biggest one is to remove reflections from water and glass. But, polarizers also absorb light -- 1 or 2 stops, usually -- and even outdoors that can be significant.

As for the UV filter, this is a constant argument. A good quality UV filter will not really degrade your image, but it also serves no purpose except to protect the front of your lens. That's not a bad idea, but the UV filtering part is pointless on digital cameras.

[rickp1]

dcclark,
Singh Ray has a color intensifier filter. Here is the link Singh-Ray Filters: LB Color Intensifier it looks like a handy tool to have for certain situations.

Yeah I've done some research about the UV filter thing. I have a B&W UV filter and it saved my 70-200 lens when I dropped it once. Other than protection I've never seen a change in image quality though. I'll do a little testing on that, now I'm curious.
Is there a specific time where the change can be more predominant?

R.

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by rickp1

I'll do a little testing on that, now I'm curious.
Is there a specific time where the change can be more predominant?

Do you mean for the polarizer? Reflections can be eliminated any time. For color intensity, it needs sunlight, preferably fairly bright. As you know, the best polarization in the sky occurs when you point 90 degrees away from the sun.

[rickp1]

No i meant testing on the uv filter and it affecting the image.

Did you check out the link for the intesifier?

[dcclark]

I did check it out. Never heard of such a thing before -- why not edit it later and have more control? That's a case where I don't think a filter would be better than post-processing.

The UV filter, if it's of any reasonable quality at all, shouldn't affect image colors or quality. The main issue is reflections caused by the extra glass -- again, a good quality multicoated one should help avoid that.

[Enrique]

Originally Posted by rickp1

Hey guys,
I have a Singh Ray polarizing filter that I pretty much just keep on my lens except when indoors.
Am I really getting much out of it if the sun is not at 90 deg from the lens? The reason I ask is I want to start using other filters like a color intensifier and I want to know If I should stack them or just remove the polarizing filter.

Also, I always have a UV filter on my lenses but I read that that's a no no since i degrades the image, true or false?

THanks
R.

" I want to know If I should stack them or just remove the polarizing filter."

You can stack or you can use the combo (Polarizer warming + color intersifier)



"I always have a UV filter on my lenses but I read that that's a no no since i degrades the image, true or false?"


Singh Ray are top quality fitler, so you have not worry about it

Cheaps filters must be avoid it because can cause degradation on color and image quality

stack many filters may cause vigneting your pictures, especially in wide angle lens

some filters need you to adjust your f/stops. Filters's especifications should get you the f/stops you need to adjust in your pictures