Polarizing filter for Canon 50mm 1.8 (Cross-thread)

[ameliaindubai]

Hi,

I am looking for a polarizing filter for my canon 50mm 1.8. Around $50.

A few questions:

a) I'm going to use this lens as a portrait lens. The idea is that I will get better skies with a polarizing lens, but i've seen advice saying they are mainly for landscape. Is it worth buying one or should I wait til I get a longer lens?

b) What size do I need? Is it 52mm?

c) Any lens recommendations? is $50 a big enough budget?

Thanks!!!

[Murtasma]

I don't use polarizers for portraits because you end up loosing a stop or two of light, it will also reduce reflections coming from the skin which can leave the person appearing flat and dull. Using fill flash with a softbox outside in the shade on a sunny day would be my preferred way of handling the situation. That's not to say a polarizer wouldn't be a good investment for other uses. You may like the way skin appears when using a polarizer.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by ameliaindubai

a) I'm going to use this lens as a portrait lens. The idea is that I will get better skies with a polarizing lens, but i've seen advice saying they are mainly for landscape. Is it worth buying one or should I wait til I get a longer lens?

This is a minority opinion, but I don't think that polarizers are necessary for "better skies" with digital photography. Don't overexpose and the sky will be fine. Since you can review the captured image and the histogram, preventing overexposure shouldn't be a problem.

b) What size do I need? Is it 52mm?

If I recall correctly, that lens has a 58mm thread. Just look at the front of the lens, at the lettering in the ring around the front element. There should be a symbol that looks like a circle with a line through it. The number next to that is the filter size.

c) Any lens recommendations? is $50 a big enough budget?

I presume that you mean filter recommendations. $50 US will be marginal. The main thing is to be sure that you get a coated filter (multi-coated is even better). An inexpensive uncoated filter—Canon, Tiffen, etc.—will decrease contrast and possibly introduce ghost reflections.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

An inexpensive uncoated filter—Canon, Tiffen, etc.—will decrease contrast and possibly introduce ghost reflections.

Just throwing it out there: Tiffen DO make coated filters

[ameliaindubai]

Thanks for the fantastic quality of responses!

I will wait until I get a longer lens. Thanks for your help