How to use polarising filters???

[RobbieG]

I have just bought a new Hoya 58mm Circular Polarising filter and have some questions about its use?
1. Am I right in assuming 180 degrees is the maximum I would ever need to turn the filter as it is circular?
2. Should the filter rotate freely? The one I have seems quite tight to rotate, is this normal or is the filter faulty. (It is difficult to turn without affecting the focus on my canon 28-55mm kit lens or unscrewing it off the lens)

Regards
Robbie

[zona5101]

Hi
90 degrees should be the effective range - the polorizing surfaces will either be aligned 0 degrees or opposed 90 degrees.
It shouldn't be real hard to rotate and if it is now, maybe it will loosen up with use? You don't want it super sloppy but it should rotate freely without casusing the filter to unscrew. When mounting it to your lens be sure and get it screwed on snug.

[RobbieG]

Thanks for your reply zona.
That makes sense and I will try to work the filter a little to try and free it up some.

[Krusty79]

The only negative aspect I have run into while using a circular polarizer is the gradient effect you get in the sky when taking wide angle shots. Notice how the sky in the right part of the picture is lighter.

[ToadHollow]

I just purchased a polarizing filter too, but to be honest I am totally stuck with it. The store I bought it from mentions turning the filter while looking through the viewfinder to tune it. I watched an online tutorial, it said the same thing and as an exercise it had me put the filter up against my computer monitor and twist it to see the effect in action. It worked great.

Here's my question, in the field, on a sunny day, to be honest I can't really see any difference when turning the filter while it's attached to the lens. Is it subtle, do I need to pay closer attention? Perhaps I am doing something wrong? Any advice at all appreciated.

[Photologyst]

This explanation with graphics might do the trick for you: Polarizing Filters

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

I just purchased a polarizing filter too, but to be honest I am totally stuck with it. The store I bought it from mentions turning the filter while looking through the viewfinder to tune it. I watched an online tutorial, it said the same thing and as an exercise it had me put the filter up against my computer monitor and twist it to see the effect in action. It worked great.

Here's my question, in the field, on a sunny day, to be honest I can't really see any difference when turning the filter while it's attached to the lens. Is it subtle, do I need to pay closer attention? Perhaps I am doing something wrong? Any advice at all appreciated.

Look at the sky with the sun at a 90 degree angle to you and rotate to see the greatest effect. You can also see a big difference in water. Rotate it, and you will see the reflections on the water appear and disappear.

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

This explanation with graphics might do the trick for you: Polarizing Filters

That was incredibly helpful thank you so much! I now totally get the theory behind it all, I just need to get this working for me out in the field...

Originally Posted by RLucas

Look at the sky with the sun at a 90 degree angle to you and rotate to see the greatest effect. You can also see a big difference in water. Rotate it, and you will see the reflections on the water appear and disappear.

It's a beautiful sunny day here today and I was planning on heading out on my lunch break for a quick shoot, I can't wait to try this out in action.

Many thanks to both of you for taking the time to post, I really do appreciate that. This forum is fantastic, I've learned a lot already and I've only been here a few days. Many thanks!