Polarizing Filters

98olds

ok, So I have a Sigma 10-20mm Wide Angle Lens
I have been looking into purchasing a Polarizing filter for this particular lens its a 77mm diameter.

The Filters are expensive, and I want to just make sure that I have all my research done before i spend that kind of money haha.

I know that at wide angles such as my 10-20mm sigma that there is the possibility of vinetting. What should I look for in a filter choice to eliminate vinetting.

I guess What I am asking is What should I be looking for When I go to purchase a Circular Polarizer for My Sigma.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me
Feel Free to Recomend Certain filters too

jziegler

Are you really sure that you want a polarizing filter on a lens that wide? There are potential problems with unevenness as well as vignetting:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/filters.htm

See the section about halfway down the page.

That said, if you do want a filter for a wide angle lens, get a thin one.

Matthew Saville

Ironically, the best polarizer for your Sigma lens, is a Sigma polarizer! I bought mine from Sigma4less, which I believe is now called Photo4less, but I don't see them on sale in 77mm there right now. Adorama has them for $96. I paid $99 for mine back in 2006 or whenever I got mine...

Yes, you WILL have issues taking pictures of a pure blue sky at 10-20mm, that's for sure. It will look like you took a swipe at the sky with a burn / dodge brush in photoshop. But don't let that stop you from buying the polarizer! There are plenty of useful situations for a polarizer; I can't imagine leaving home without mine. Today, I wish I had a 2nd polarizer as a backup, but instead I bought a semi-useless ExpoDisc for $99. Go figure!

=Matt=

zoomer

If the money is an issue for you...it is very easy to get by without one....certainly not a requirement to have a polarizing filter.

SimpsonBrothers

Bought my circular polarizer for $50 from the local tourist camera shop in SF. No vinyetting and it's a little less than 1/4" thick on the rim.

98olds

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Ironically, the best polarizer for your Sigma lens, is a Sigma polarizer! I bought mine from Sigma4less, which I believe is now called Photo4less, but I don't see them on sale in 77mm there right now. Adorama has them for $96. I paid $99 for mine back in 2006 or whenever I got mine...

Yes, you WILL have issues taking pictures of a pure blue sky at 10-20mm, that's for sure. It will look like you took a swipe at the sky with a burn / dodge brush in photoshop. But don't let that stop you from buying the polarizer! There are plenty of useful situations for a polarizer; I can't imagine leaving home without mine. Today, I wish I had a 2nd polarizer as a backup, but instead I bought a semi-useless ExpoDisc for $99. Go figure!

=Matt=

Ok Thanks I will look into this. I use my Wide angle lens for Car shows, so I basically want it for the reflections on cars.

SimpsonBrothers

Hope those cars are made of plastic.

Matthew Saville

98olds wrote: »

Ok Thanks I will look into this. I use my Wide angle lens for Car shows, so I basically want it for the reflections on cars.

A perfect situation in which having a polarizer is a good tool even for ultra-wide.

I find that the Sigma EX circular polarizer is one of the thinnest on the market, but very high quality compared to all the cheaper alternatives. It is as thin or thinner than even a "slim" UV filter, and yet it even retains front filter threads! (Many "slim" polarizers forego front threads in order to avoid vignetting...)

=Matt=

Matthew Saville

SimpsonBrothers wrote: »

Hope those cars are made of plastic.

Are you implying that a polarizer will not be very effective on a metal, painted car? I'm not too familiar with that so I wouldn't know, although I'd guess that either way, the polarizer will still help with reflections on glass...

=Matt=

SimpsonBrothers

Matthew Saville wrote: »

Are you implying that a polarizer will not be very effective on a metal, painted car? I'm not too familiar with that so I wouldn't know, although I'd guess that either way, the polarizer will still help with reflections on glass...

=Matt=

It won't be effective on metal because light reflected from metal is not polarized. On paint it will slightly reduce reflection, but not eliminate it. On chrome it wont do a thing. Windshiled glass will look very nice though.

Matthew Saville

SimpsonBrothers wrote: »

It won't be effective on metal because light reflected from metal is not polarized. On paint it will slightly reduce reflection, but not eliminate it. On chrome it wont do a thing. Windshiled glass will look very nice though.

Thanks for the information! I'm always interested in random facts, lol!

=Matt=