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#1
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Circular Polarizer and lens flare
Would a circular polarizer be useful in
reducing lens flare problems with older uncoated lenses? Thanks |
#2
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#3
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"Quest0029" wrote in message Would a circular polarizer be useful in reducing lens flare problems with older uncoated lenses? No. It might actually contribute to lens flare, because it adds yet another air-to-glass surface. Uncoated (I should say "Non-Multi-Coated" Lenses, because virtually all lenses are at least single-coated) lenses can give maximum performance when fitted with an appropriate lens hood, to block off-axis light. You should also avoid shooting directly into bright light whenever possible. Flare tends to be a problem on lenses with many elements, due to the light bouncing off more air-to-glass surfaces. You did not say what kind of lens you were using. Even with a lens hood, you are going to see less contrasty images on zoom lenses, which typically have many more elements than normal or prime lenses. |
#4
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Quest0029 wrote:
Would a circular polarizer be useful in reducing lens flare problems with older uncoated lenses? Thanks No. A non-circular might, although I would not count on it. Remember that a circular polarizer re-scrambles the light so the light that passes through it is no longer polarized. Also note that the filter will add an additional piece of glass and that means more chance for flare and it adds that glass further out in a spot more likely not to be shaded by the lens construction. Of course there is also the slight shading done by the filter ring that could shade part of the original lens. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math |
#5
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Quest0029 wrote:
Would a circular polarizer be useful in reducing lens flare problems with older uncoated lenses? Most flare comes from direct light sources, whereas a polarizer is effective with reflected light (from surfaces or particles in the atmosphere) with the lens axis at 90 deg to the light rays, so the reduction of flare would be minimal... possibly it might make more flare artificats too when in direct light, as you're adding more glass surfaces... and in my case at least, my polarizer can't be used with a lens hood, so really not a good idea to let direct light get at the polarizer ... (but, I have to add that, esp. wide angle, I sometimes include direct light (sun) in the scene and make the flare part of the composition) Cheers, Alan -- "There is no such thing as inaccuracy in a photograph. All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth." -Richard Avedon -- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource: -- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.-- |
#6
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lens flare problems
A lens hood (shade) is THE BEST solution for flare. - -- regards, Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video http://www.bhphotovideo.com |
#7
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"BandHPhoto" wrote in message ... lens flare problems A lens hood (shade) is THE BEST solution for flare. - -- A hood certainly is the best solution for blocking the effects of off-axis light, because it keeps those rays from ever entering the lens at all. But what about shooting situations where the lens is pointed directly at a bright light source? A typical example would be one where there is a great deal of backlighting. A hood can't block light coming in from straight ahead. Multicoating has the potential to make a real difference in such situations. Especially when lenses are being used that have many elements, such as wide angles or zoom lenses, multicoating can reduce the effects of glare considerably. Even with multicoating, the image is not always immune from effects of bright light. My SMC Takumar 24mm f/3.5 has always exhibited unacceptable results when pointed toward bright light sources. And, with a wide angle of view, it is difficult to point the lens away from bright lights all the time. I wonder how bad the problem would be if that lens had no multicoating? I think that a 4-pronged approach will give best results: 1: Use a lens hood at all times. It can never hurt. 2: Use a multi-coated lens if possible. 3: Try to avoid backlighting situations if possible. 4: Keep lens surfaces clean of grease or fingerprints. |
#8
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BandHPhoto wrote:
lens flare problems A lens hood (shade) is THE BEST solution for flare. Except the perfect shade does not exist. Always carry a blocker ( a grey card come in handy as does a small umbrella ). Cheers, Alan -- -- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource: -- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.-- |
#9
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BandHPhoto wrote:
lens flare problems A lens hood (shade) is THE BEST solution for flare. Except the perfect shade does not exist. Always carry a blocker ( a grey card come in handy as does a small umbrella ). Cheers, Alan -- -- rec.photo.equipment.35mm user resource: -- http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- e-meil: there's no such thing as a FreeLunch.-- |
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