"Jim Phelps" <Jim.Phelps@MI.com> wrote in message news:3f13c23d_2@news5.uncensored-news.com...

> "Bill Doyle" <pitchinvasion@attbi.com> wrote in message

> news:59455f40.0307140703.7efc0a8c@posting.google.com...

> > I am going on vacation in two weeks. I want both a polarizer and a UV

> > filter for my new Canon 17-40 lens, but I only have the money right

> > now for one of them. the vast majority of my shooting will be

> > outdoors. which filter will serve me best for my trip, given my lens

> > and the outdoor nature of my shots? thanks for any input!

> Get the polarizer, a circular polarizer. Disregard the comments about

> fake color, as it doesn't change any colors (polarizers are GRAY). The

> Polarizer will enhance (darken) pale skies and reduce or eliminate

> atmospheric haze if used correctly. Great for mountain scenes and other

> distance shots. It will also reduce or eliminate reflections from most

> shiny surfaces. Would be helpful near water to reduce or enhance the

> highlight reflections from wave tips.

Ummm..., actually many polarizers do have a color tint - but even if

not, the peculiar look of the colors (in color slides, where these effects

are not lost in the printing) when surface reflections are modified give

the images an unmistakable "polarized" look that I find quite artificial

looking. You can spot a photo taken with a polarizer most of the

time...

> You will use a Polarizer for many more effects then an UV or Skylight

> filter. In fact, I don't own a UV/Skylight filter (anymore) but I own

> several Polarizers in various sizes - and use them all the time.

> UV/Skylight filters are not all that beneficial, as long as you take care of

> your lenses. To be honest, the amount of UV and Haze reduction I've seem

> from most of these filters cannot even be seen.

I agree with this - a good UV does not affect the image for ill or

good under most circumstances, and a skylight will add a slight warmth

to the color of slides, but its effect will be lost with prints. But a polarizer's

use will be very apparent in the image (more in slides than prints), and

with a WA, the effect of uneven polarization can be disasterous...

> However, the amount of haze

> reduction I've experienced with a Polarizer can make the difference in the

> shot.

>

> Jim

Polarizers work by altering reflections off surfaces, and their use is

dependent upon the angles of light striking subjects, and how it

is reflected. In hazy conditions, polarizers work less well than in

clear conditions due to the confusion of light source (and reflection)

directions (which is why they don't work well indoors except for

a few purposes). They can appear to intensify colors (making them

look artificial...;-) by blocking some surface reflections, but this

may also reduce/remove highlights which may give "sparkle" to

photos... I consider a polarizing filter to be a special-use item,

unlike the lens protection offered by a good UV filter (and shade).

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com

Hey, take a gander at www.visitithaca.com, too...!